The 10-day run of the Stanislaus County Fair is just around the corner and that means a bevy of entertainment is headed towards Turlock.
The fair will open the festivities July 10 with a performance from musician Colt Ford. With his innovative blend of country music and hip-hop rhythms, Ford is a cultural force who is ready to go from cult status to a household name.
“Colt Ford will bring a different country edge to the Fair and we are thrilled to have him,” said Adrenna Alkhas, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair. “His high energy performance will make for the perfect opening night of Fair.”
Ford’s chart-topping “Declaration of Independence” remained on the Billboard Country Album chart for more than 58 weeks. His current album “Thanks for Listening” features collaborations with such pals as Keith Urban, Jerrod Niemann, Chase Rice, and Justin Moore.
For Ford, the mixing of the two genres is just a natural process.
“They’re both about story-telling,” Ford says. “Talking about real life from a unique perspective.”
For those wanting to get some laughs at the fair, the night to go will be July 11, when comedian Carrot Top takes the stage.
With three decades of comedic performance, Carrot Top is one of the most popular, recognizable, and successful comedians in America. After years of playing to sold-out shows throughout the country, he has now made his home in Las Vegas and is celebrating his tenth anniversary with the Luxor Resort and Casino in 2015. He performs almost 300 shows a year in the Atrium Theatre. Carrot Top is consistently poking fun at pop culture, politics, music, and whatever the real world has to offer. No one is safe from the “King of Props” comical and infectious humor. A performance worthy of most rock bands, Carrot Top’s show is filled with lights, music, fog machines, and confetti cannons.
“People fall in love with his show because it is current with today’s headlines,” said Alkhas. “His comedic work is uniquely hilarious and we are extremely excited to have him perform on our stage.”
It’ll be la fiesta del verano (the party of the summer) with a slew of international Hispanic entertainers performing at the Fair, the first of which will be 3BALLMTY on July 12.
A Latin pop trio from Monterrey, Mexico, 3BALLMTY, is known for their tribal guarachero style of music. “Intentalo” is the name of their first single and has been nominated for a Gold Disc in Mexico, and a platinum disc in the United States and Central America. “Intentalo” has been able to hold up for 52 consecutive weeks on the Regional Mexicano de Billboard, and 40 consecutive weeks as #1 on the Billboard Latin Chart.
Fair-goers will have a chance to get “Two Tickets to Paradise” on July 13 when singer Eddie Money takes the stage.
Money has been making music and delivering it to his fans since the mid 70s. The rock legend has recorded over a dozen albums and has done numerous projects in television and film. Performing 150 or more shows every year, Money is always touring somewhere.
"My fans are the best, most loyal fans a guy could ask for. They keep coming back for more and I'm not gonna stop until they make me stop,” said Money.
With hits like "Two Tickets To Paradise,” "Baby Hold On,” "Walk On Water,” "Think I'm In Love" and "Shakin,” Money continues to be one of the hardest working men in the rock and roll industry.
“Eddie Money will take his fans down memory lane,” said Alkhas. “We are thrilled to have such a legendary rocker ‘shakin’ up the stage at the Stanislaus County Fair.”
Triple platinum recording country music icon, Martina McBride, will be performing at the Stanislaus County Fair on July 14.
“Martina McBride has one of the most recognizable voices in the country music industry,” said Alkhas. “To have a legend like Martina performing at the Fair is very thrilling and something everyone will be looking forward to.”
To date, McBride has had 20 Top 10 hits and six No. 1 smashes. As a result, McBride is ranked as the most played woman vocalist on country radio between 1999 and 2010 and was honored with an induction into the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 1995. The Country Music Association has named her Female Vocalist of the Year four times.
Well-known and loved rock band America will be taking the stage at the Fair on July 15.
America’s long-standing music career has found them exploring a wide variety of musical terrain. Their best known hits, which include “I Need You,” “Tin Man,” and “Sister Golden Hair,” were the foundations of 1970’s Top 40 and FM rock radio.
“America is one of the most popular soft-rock bands of the era and were extremely excited to have them performing at Fair,” said Alkhas. “Their classic melodic folk hits will take fans down memory lane.”
Singer Bret Michaels is promising “Nothin’ But A Good Time” when he comes to the Fair July 16.
Michaels is a multi-platinum global superstar who has turned his passion for music into a versatile brand that includes record breaking tour sales, reality TV stardom, legendary songs that have sold over 32 million records, product endorsements, and being a devoted philanthropist.
Rising to fame as the front man of Poison, one of rock’s most iconic bands, he helped define the rock-n-roll scene on the Sunset Strip. Their massive success includes selling over 30 million records worldwide and numerous hit singles. His solo career has charted its own course with multiple solo albums. His 2010 album, “Custom Built,” topped the charts, reaching #1 on Billboard's Hard Rock list.
“Bret Michaels always puts on a high energy show and we are excited to have him,” said Alkhas. “His fans will not want to miss out on this night.”
Country singer Jerrod Niemann will be performing at the Fair on July 17. Niemann recently followed his Record Industry Association of America gold certified multi-week No. 1 smash, “Drink to That All Night,” with his “High Noon” album’s second Top 40 single, “Buzz Back Girl.” Niemann’s chart-topping major-label debut, 2010’s “Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury,” produced the No. 1 hit and RIAA certified platinum digital single, “Lover, Lover,” and the Top 5 and RIAA certified gold digital single, “What Do You Want.” His sophomore release, “Free The Music, “hit shelves last year and featured the Top 15 single “Shinin’ On Me” and the emotional ballad “Only God Could Love You More.”
The legendary rock band Grand Funk Railroad will roll into town July 18 for a show at the Fair. Grand Funk Railroad is extremely excited to be touring in 2015, marking a 46 year milestone. Known as “The American Band," the high-energy five-piece group will play 40 shows all over the United States this year.
Over their career, Grand Funk Railroad has had 19 charted singles, eight Top 40 hits, and two No. 1 singles, “Were An American Band” and “Locomotion,” both selling more than 1 million each. The group has now accumulated 13 gold and 10 platinum records with record sales in excess of 25 million copies sold worldwide.
“Grand Funk Railroad laid the foundation for classic rock bands,” said Alkhas. “The fact that they still receive continuous airplay on classic radio is a testament to the group’s legacy, and our guests will have a great night rocking to this group.”
The Fair will close out with a show from Banda Machos on July 19. Banda Machos have recorded over 24 record label productions, selling millions of CD’s and have had many performances all over the world.
“Hispanic acts are one of the most popular attractions we have at the Fair,” said Alkhas. “Their performances never disappoint and we are very excited to have them all performing at Fair.”
All the headlining acts will be performing on the Bud Light Variety Free Stage. All shows begin at 8:30 p.m. and are free with the price of Fair admission.
In addition to the headlining acts, the Fair has signed hypnotist Suzy Haner to perform nightly shows on the community stage. On the Miller Coors Center Stage the Fair is bring to town Snake Bite, Ernie Bucio’s Little Big Band, Tim Webb, and Second Tradition, among many other acts.
The 2015 Stanislaus County Fair opens July 10. Discounted Fair admission tickets, unlimited ride wristbands, and the Fair season pass are now on sale through 7 p.m. July 9. Visit the Fair’s website at www.stancofair.com.
