GEDDES -- The New York State Fair announced Friday that seven more acts have been booked to appear at the Chevrolet Court stage. Concerts at Chevy Court are free with your State Fair admission ticket. Here are the details from the New York State Fair:
The free concerts on the State Fair's Chevy Court stage this summer will include performances by hard-rock hit maker Shinedown, classic rock legend Grand Funk Railroad, hip hop pioneer MC Hammer, country crowd-pleaser Lee Greenwood, oldies superstar Sha Na Na, Christian rock stars The Afters, and classic New Jersey rocker Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
The concerts will be part of the new expanded format at the Fair's Chevy Court venue, where two different national acts will be featured each day, doubling the number of entertainers available there for the price of admission.
"With families struggling throughout New York State this summer, we wanted to give Fair visitors as much free, top-quality entertainment as possible," New York State Fair Director Dan O'Hara said. "From classic rock and oldies to bands that are rising on today's music charts, there's a performer to suit everyone's taste playing at Chevy Court this summer. People can come and enjoy their favorites, or experience a new sound, all for the price of an admission ticket to the Fair."
The Fair will run from Aug. 27 through Sept. 7 this year. Tickets are $6 in advance or $10 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free.
Shinedown, a rock band that has sold more than 6 million of its three albums while packing concert venues across the country, will play at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.
The group's latest album, "The Sound of Madness," went gold last month and produced three hit singles. One of them, "Devour," became the theme song for World Wrestling Entertainment's pay-per-view event "Night of Champions 2008." Other Shinedown hits include "Second Chance," "Sound of Madness," "45," and "Save Me."
Grand Funk Railroad, the iconic "American Band" responsible for a stream of classic hits, sold-out arenas and the sale of 25 million records during the 1970s, will play at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28.
Boyz II Men had been scheduled to play that date and time. The Rhythm and blues sensation of the '90s will now perform at Chevy Court at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5.
Grand Funk Railroad is playing the Fair as part of its 40th anniversary tour. Its chart-topping songs include "We're an American Band," "I'm Your Captain," "The Loco-Motion," "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Bad Time."
MC Hammer, a platinum-selling recording artist, reality television star and pop-culture icon, will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.
Hammer, whose flamboyant dance routines and pop-influenced rap songs are credited with helping to bring hip hop music mainstream, was a staple of pop and rap radio stations in the 1980s and early 1990s. His numerous music awards include three Grammys, eight American Music Awards and one People's Choice Award. "Hammertime" a reality show based on his personal and business life, is set to premiere this summer on the A&E television network. His top songs include "U Can't Touch This," "Too Legit to Quit," "Pray," "Have You Seen Her," "It's All Good" and "Addams Groove," the theme from the 1991 comedy movie "The Addams Family."
Lee Greenwood, the prolific country singer best known for his patriotic anthem "God Bless the U.S.A.," will perform at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 during Veterans Day at the Fair.
Since beginning his stage career in the early 1980s, Greenwood has released more than 20 albums and has had at least 35 singles hit Billboard Magazine's country music charts. Seven of those hit number one. Hit songs include "God Bless the U.S.A.," "Somebody's Gonna Love You," "Going, Going, Gone," "Dixie Road," "I Don't Mind the Thorns (If You're the Rose)," "Don't Underestimate My Love for You," "Hearts Aren't Made to Break (They're Made to Love)" and "Mornin' Ride."
Sha Na Na, arguably the world's most famous rock 'n roll revival group, will perform at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1 during Senior Day at the Fair.
The band, in their trademark pompadours, leather jackets and stage outfits from the dawn of rock and roll, will perform music first made famous during the 1950s and early 1960s. The band burst onto the national scene 40 years ago at the Woodstock Music Festival, and are often credited with sparking a '50s nostalgia movement that included the Broadway play "Grease" and the television series "Happy Days."
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, the horn-playing rock band that helped Bruce Springsteen and Little Steven popularize the Jersey Shore Sound in the 1970s, will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. The band's list of hits includes "I Don't Want to Go Home," "Hearts of Stone," "Fever," "Talk to Me" and "This Time it's For Real."
The Afters, a popular Christian Rock band whose songs range from lively pop tunes to soulful ballads, will perform at 2 p.m., Aug. 28. The group's biggest song, "Never Going Back to OK," was the most-played song on Radio & Records magazines contemporary Christian chart for 2008.
With Friday's concert announcements, two-thirds of the 2009 Chevy Court lineup has been announced. Other acts include Chuck Wicks, Sara Evans, Darius Rucker, The Four Tops, Rick Springfield, The Oak Ridge Boys, Eric Church and Switchfoot. Visit the Fair's Web site for more details.
