Grandstand Lineup Announced for DuQuoin Fair

Fair Manager John Rednour, Jr., today announced a grandstand lineup for the 2013 Du Quoin State Fair that includes Billy Currington, Sawyer Brown, Matt Maher, Theory Of A Deadman, Montgomery Gentry and Kansas.

Ticket sales start June 17. Purchases can be made by calling the fair at (618) 542-1535.

The fair opens Friday, Aug. 23. On Saturday, Currington will take the stage at the Illinois Lottery Grandstand and perform his chart-topping songs “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer,” “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” “People Are Crazy,” “Don’t,” “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” and “Good Directions.”

“I believe Billy Currington will bring a lot of energy to the stage,” Rednour said. “The title of his new album is ‘Enjoy Yourself,’ and from what I hear about Billy Currington’s performances, he wants everyone to have a good time.”

Tickets for Currington’s show are $35 and $30.

On Monday, Aug. 26, Sawyer Brown, which has had more than 50 of its singles enter the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, will play hits like “Some Girls Do,” “Six Days On The Road” and “The Walk.”

Legendary country musician Lee Roy Parnell, “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am?,”  and Grace Askew, a finalist on The Voice, will open the concert.  Tickets cost $25 and $20.

“These guys are always a fan favorite,” Rednour said. “They energize a crowd with songs we can all relate to. Plus, the addition of Parnell and Askew make this show an opportunity to see some tremendous talent.”

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the grandstand will feature gospel music from Matt Maher and his new album, “All The People Said Amen.” Brittany Loyd, a 15-year-old singer from Carmi, will open for Maher. She has been singing professionally since age 5. Tickets for the show are $10.

“This is going to be a neat show having a young, local, gospel artist open for a nationally-known performer,” Rednour said.

On Thursday, Aug. 29, the platinum-selling Vancouver band Theory Of A Deadman takes the stage.  “Bad Girlfriend,”  “Hate My Life” and “Not Meant To Be” are just some of its hits.

Opening for Theory Of A Deadman are the American rockers, Trapt.  Tickets for the show cost $25 and $20.

“When you look at You Tube and see three, four, and five million views on their videos, you realize just how popular a band this is,” Rednour said.

On Friday, Aug. 30, Montgomery Gentry will perform.  The duo of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry has a new label, a new album and a renewed sense of musical purpose. “This is one show country fans will not want to miss,” Rednour said. “These guys have 14 Top 10 singles, including five number ones.”

Drew Baldridge will open for Montgomery Gentry.  Tickets are priced at $35 and $30.

Closing out the concert series will be Kansas on Saturday, Aug. 31.

“Every classic rock fan has heard ‘Carry On My Wayward Son,’” Rednour said of one of the band’s and rock music’s most popular songs. “You’ve been listening and enjoying the music of this band for years.”

Kansas is currently celebrating its 40th year as a band. The group has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-platinum albums, one platinum live album and a million-selling gold single, “Dust in the Wind.” The Fabulous Thunderbirds, an American, Grammy-nominated, blues rock band formed in 1974, are scheduled to open for Kansas. Tickets for the show are $35 and $30.

Entertainers for two free shows during the fair will be announced later.