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State Fair finalizes concert lineup

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Jun 23, 2008 - 11:10:23 am CDT

The Nebraska State Fair has completed its Open Air Concert lineup by adding a concert by veteran country singers Lorrie Morgan and Tracy Byrd on Aug. 23, the first Saturday of the fair.

A couple opening acts, including Lincoln's own No Better Cause, were also announced for previously scheduled shows.

The "free" concerts are held in the fair's Open Air Auditorium and are one of the events bigger draws.

Story Photo
Fans fill the Open Air Auditorium in August 2005. (LJS File)

Here's the final Open Air Concert lineup:

Aug. 22- Miranda Lambert, 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 23- Lorrie Morgan and Tracy Byrd, 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 25- Barbara & Frank The Concert That Never Was. 10:00 a.m. and Noon. Boyz II Men and No Better Cause, 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 26- JoAnn Castle, 11:00 a.m. Starship featuring Mickey Thomas and Survivor, 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 27- Third Day and Revive, 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 28-Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 30- Galaxy of Stars Talent Search, 1:00 p.m. A Funny Experience Comedy Show featuring Nebraska comedians including Mark Gross and the Amore Brothers, Juli Burney, and T. Marni Voss, 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 31- Galaxy of Stars Talent Search at 1:00. Nebraska Showcase of Talent including Mustang Sally, the Derailers, and the Killigans, 7:00 p.m.

Sept.1 – STYX, 7:00 p.m.


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mitchy_v wrote on June 23, 2008 11:25 am:
" That lineup is sure to bring people to the fair. LOL. How many days until the new Fair Board takes over. "

 Jack wrote on June 23, 2008 11:37 am:
" Now there's a glimpse of the raw talent Lincoln's planned new arena will draw. Does anyone have any more questions why an arena is doomed to fail in this city?? Nobody wants to perform here!! "

 Lincolnite wrote on June 23, 2008 11:47 am:
" This is a big reason that the State Fair is such a failure. Could we get some current talent and not a bunch of has-beens? "

 ron wrote on June 23, 2008 11:55 am:
" more has beens or never was 's, what junk "

 me wrote on June 23, 2008 12:01 pm:
" Just as well good ahead and move the fair. They can't seem to get a band that's worth a darn the last few years. They want to pull in the "big" money with small time bands. Ain't gonna work... "

 Nina wrote on June 23, 2008 12:04 pm:
" What a fun lineup! I'd love to hear Tracy B sing "Keeper of the Stars" live. The comedy thing sounds fun, too. The Aug 25 lineup should please those of several different music tastes. These groups would set you back at least $35 apiece in Branson, and at the NSF it's free! Who says our fair has little to offer! "

 Dano wrote on June 23, 2008 12:22 pm:
" I will answer your challenge Nina!!!

I say our fair has very little to offer, even far far too little to offer for the money spent on it. Anyone willing to pay $35 dollars for the last two additions to the NSF lineup must be out of their mind. This is just more support for why the fair needs to leave Lincoln. GI get ready, it ain't going to get any better once you get it because the same lame-duck leadership group will be involved in its demise there as well. "

 to... wrote on June 23, 2008 12:28 pm:
" the people commenting... wake up, these are the free concerts, you are stupid to try and compare these concerts to paid concerts that would be at an arena. (I'm not for the arena but the comments were just plain idiotic) "

 New to Lincoln wrote on June 23, 2008 12:35 pm:
" This is why the state fair is doomed to fail. "

 Not bad wrote on June 23, 2008 12:36 pm:
" I think it's a good variety. Boyz II Men and Miranda Lambert are both relevant as far as what is getting noticed today. Styx won't have a problem bringing in a crowd. Boyz II Men was on Good Morning America on Friday and sounded awesome! And having Lincoln's own No Better Cause performing with Boyz II Men should be a really good draw. That should be a great show, and I know I'll be there. "

 Carl wrote on June 23, 2008 12:38 pm:
" Sounds like a great lineup. I love that "Fishin in the dark" song by Nitty Gritty Dirt band "

 me wrote on June 23, 2008 12:42 pm:
" Who are these bands? They should be on VH1 with some sort of blast from the psat reality series. Aug. 25- Barbara & Frank The Concert That Never Was. 10:00 a.m.??? i'll be sure and mark my calendar for that one. And people wonder why..... "

 Blah wrote on June 23, 2008 12:44 pm:
" Aug 31st...Mustang Sally, the Derailers and the Killigans? I'd go if the Killigans weren't there... "

 Dusty wrote on June 23, 2008 1:00 pm:
" Ummm.... to the people above "hating" in the concert lineup: I would like to see you find acts like these anywhere and pay for $7 or less (price of admission to state fair) to watch them.

True... they are not "prime acts", but you are not going to ever see prime acts in Lincoln. Even take a look at Omaha's arena schedule this year compared to the last. There are many acts that came to Omaha the last two years that are going to KC's new 18,000 seat sprint center this year instead.

How is licoln going to compete with that?!?! And believe me Grand Island will be even worse with no big college/university there. It would be better to move the fair to Kearney than GI if you are looking for a better concert area in central NE. "

 Local Guy wrote on June 23, 2008 1:15 pm:
" Wow I think the Killigans and the Derailers are the best bands on this list. Maybe we should farm them out to other state fairs. Really weak listing of shows here. Goodbye state fair and good ridance. Thanks for nothing State Fair Board. "

 JR wrote on June 23, 2008 1:20 pm:
" Well, Jack, you might have a bit more credibility if the shows at the new arena were free shows. Isn't this the old comparing apples (free concerts) to oranges (paid admission)? But, you go ahead anyway ... don't let facts get in the way of a good rant. "

 Jill wrote on June 23, 2008 1:47 pm:
" Where else can you get a concert so cheap? What is it $5 now before 5:00 p.m. You get Lorrie Morgan and Tracy Byrd for that? Wow. Great job Nebraska State Fair! "

 Rachel wrote on June 23, 2008 1:50 pm:
" I love "Gunpowder and Lead" by Miranda Lambert! It is screaming up the charts. Come join me in the front of the stage "

 OK Friends Apples to Apples wrote on June 23, 2008 1:54 pm:
" Out of curiosity, I checked out the 2008 Iowa State Fair lineup (the same one so many will be attending in two years because it is "the greatest state fair in the country")
Their headliners are Michael W. Smith, Josh Turner, Rick Springfield, Foreigner, Deery Bros., Charlie Daniels Band, Vanessa Hudgens & Corbin Bleu, Tracy Lawrence and Blake Shelton, and Def Leppard.
At best this is a slightly better schedule, but in general it's a few B+ country acts, several 80's bands, and a bubble gum kiddie pop act.
The kicker, my friends, these shows are demanding anywhere from $20 a ticket all the way to $42 a ticket to see Def Leppard.
You folks have sand in body parts I don't want to even think about, and I'm sorry that you can't simply enjoy something for what it's worth.
Will I attend any of Nebraska's shows, maybe/maybe not, but I'm not gonna be crabby about what appears to be a fairly (pun intended) valiant effort. I'd say it's an improvement over the last few years. "

 AD - if they were free concerts... wrote on June 23, 2008 2:06 pm:
" then I wouldn't be charged an admission fee to attend. Not one of these acts are worth the ADMISSION FEE charged. "

 jab wrote on June 23, 2008 2:08 pm:
" So glad to see Third Day in the line-up. That will be a packed-out performance, as was Newsboys and Casting Pearls a couple years ago. Why are some of you sooo negative? You must be a barrel of fun to be around. These line-ups aren't bad for the price of gate admission. Thank you to the Fair Board. "

 Jack wrote on June 23, 2008 2:12 pm:
" Well JR, you would have to PAY ME to see any of these performers. I recently paid $62 for the Police in Omaha, $50 for Eric Clapton, $50 for Paul McCartney, $10 for Hot Buttered Rum in Des Moines, $50 for Counting Crows in Lawrence KS, and paying NOTHING for Saturday in the Park in Sioux City on July 5th, a free show featuring top acts. And you were saying.....???? "

 JB wrote on June 23, 2008 2:27 pm:
" Why do people keep saying these are "free" shows? You have to pay to park your car. And then you have to pay admission to the fair. Doesn't sound "free" to me.

And what do you get with your paid admission to the fair? You get to walk around, and look at all the lame rides that cost two dollars apiece to ride. Or you can look at the beer "garden" which is actually the size of a phone booth, but you can't buy a beer and go sit down and watch the "free" concerts. Or you can go look at cows and pigs (which actually IS included in the admission price... yippee!).

Not only is the music lame (except for The Killigans), but it's also NOT free. "

 Nina wrote on June 23, 2008 2:32 pm:
" Stop and think if you should give thanks your cup is half full instead of whining it's half empty. That's the difference between me and those who are grousing here. But whatever makes you happy. Even without this fun entertainment scheduled, the state fair is worth the admission price to see the marvelous things Nebraskans have accomplished for state competition - be it 4-Hers, FFA members, or open-class artists, etc. Then you have the classic tractor pulls, the hot-rod tractor pulls, etc. Let your hair down and enjoy. We even think the hog-calling contest is a hoot! "

 RYan wrote on June 23, 2008 2:34 pm:
" Who runs this? If there is a charge for the show, there is more money brought in. In turn the performers can be paid more, which means you can get better people to perform. If you offer them half of the take of the soda and cotton candy sales, then this is what you end up with. What a joke! "

 SRO wrote on June 23, 2008 2:39 pm:
" To all of you negative folks...have you ever tried to attend one of the free concerts at the State Fair? They end up bing Standing Room Only as they do draw large crowds. Maybe you don't like the choice of music but then again, maybe I don't like your choice either...I don't have to listen to yours and if you don't like what is at the State Fair, then don't go...there will be plenty of others there to see them and you will not be missed in the crowd. Nice variety of music coming...what a concept! "

 Getting Better wrote on June 23, 2008 2:41 pm:
" Hey, I'll actually go to the fair to hear the Derailers play. The wife would enjoy Miranda Lambert too... Styx or Survivor, you gotta be kidding me, I wouldn't have paid for those shows even back in '85. "

 MP wrote on June 23, 2008 2:48 pm:
" Ok Dusty get your fact straight. Sprint Center has est. 18,500 to Qwest 18,300 whoop-de-do. Sprint Centers line up includes three acts that are also coming to Omaha and three that are not. Omaha has five acts that will not be at the Sprint center plus we have a the Olympic swim trials.

I don't think Lincoln needs a 18,000 seat arena but we do need a place to hold concerts and other events. The event center was a joke and should never have been built. Pershing is old and out dated and we can use that land for better use. A new place will be nice. We have to upgrade to stay current.

The state fair will be do way better in GI then here. I think with the right people and right timing this GI will turn it around. It will take a few years but it cant get any worse then it is now. "

 Good job state fair wrote on June 23, 2008 2:52 pm:
" I think the fair did a great job with what they have to work with. Paying the price of admission to the fair to see these shows is a great price! Boyz II Men is (according to the RIAA) the top-selling R&B group of all time. And their newest album is doing well. Having No Better Cause there to perform with them makes that show even better and more appealing. There is no way that show won't be packed.

Third Day will be another one which packs the house. And, Miranda Lambert should bring a crowd as well.

Overall, I think the variety is good enough to appeal to many people. "

 mitchy_v wrote on June 23, 2008 3:06 pm:
" The cup isn't half full, or even half empty. The cup is twice as big as it needs to be. "

 Outside the Box wrote on June 23, 2008 4:03 pm:
" It's quite apparent that the current line up of one hit wonders, mediocre country bands, and the other "attractions" are going to drive attendance. It should also be obvious that getting a bunch of big name talent is cost prohibitive to the fair board.

Solution? Find some smaller/regional bands that appeal to the under 25 crowd (i.e. the ones that play Sokol, Knickerbockers, etc). These bands will a) work cheap, and b) draw some new life to the fair. Also consider some top flight cover bands. You can't expect to get Garth Brooks or U2 to play the fair, but I bet you'd get a decent crowd for a good cover band.

Throw in one or two from the above groups (mediocre country, one hit wonder) and maybe a comedian, and you might have a line up that appeals to more people. "

 Chip wrote on June 23, 2008 4:04 pm:
" State Fair=the past
Arena=the future

Let's move forward together! "

 del wrote on June 23, 2008 4:05 pm:
" I'm sorry but that lineup just plain stinks, except maybe Miranda Lambert. I'm a 30 year old male who like a very wide variety of music, new and old, and I can honestly say I won't waste a single dime or ounce of effort for the NSF this year. "

 No wonder the audience looks like a retirement village wrote on June 23, 2008 4:26 pm:
" Where's Kansas or REO Speedwagon? This is why the state fair is stupid. Try some acts that people under 40 have heard of. "

 How hillarious that.... wrote on June 23, 2008 4:33 pm:
" people actually think the arena would be a success! Look Lincoln can't even book good bands for a fair that could hold twice what the arena would hold! Get a clue people! Maybe this will make people realize why the arena is a bad idea. No band will want to play in Omaha then play in Lincoln, Nebraska isn't that cool. "

 Bob wrote on June 23, 2008 4:41 pm:
" Between Knickerbockers and Uncle Ron's they have a better line-up than the NSF. "

 To you constant negative experts wrote on June 23, 2008 5:03 pm:
" We're all sick of it. You. I would like to know what each one of you DOES for a living, what all of your volunteer commitments are, and what qualifications you have to judge and criticize our city and our politicians, and anybody haivng the GUTS to make a decision around here. We all know the answer. Don't worry. And to mimic someone else on here, 'You sound like a whole lotta fun'. Not. "

 Tony wrote on June 23, 2008 5:07 pm:
" Please get rid of the state fair. "

 Chris wrote on June 23, 2008 5:31 pm:
" do you think maybe some acts would rather play a new indoor arena than a free open air at a state fair? Money and venue have everything to do with it.

Check out the show on Aug 31 @ 7pm...that'll be a great show. "

 Bill wrote on June 23, 2008 5:35 pm:
" Lets face the facts the NSF just is not what is used to be. I would hate to see the fair go away altoghter, But with all the changes in the econmy I think the future of the fair is all but dead. "

 Im excited wrote on June 23, 2008 5:40 pm:
" This is a great line up for a FREE concert series! Miranda Lambert is hot right now. And who doesn't know Boyz II Men? "

 Tom wrote on June 23, 2008 6:56 pm:
" Arena or No Arena big name acts are NOT coming here. We are a city of 250,000 not 5 million. No major league baseball, no NFL, no NBA, not even NHL. We are not even big enough to get MLB minor league. No really big name act is coming here. There has been a few (very few) who tried Devaney and lost money. Big name acts cost money. $40 for noseblead seat several hundred to get close, several grand for the really good seats plus a "fat sugar daddy" lay out 40 to 50 grand to sponser them. The market in town this size is not there. Get over it and enjoy what we get and if you want to see big name, KC is only 4 hours away. People go there all the time to see MLB or the NFL. Why not a concert? The NSF did a pretty good job of getting some C level talent with only D level money to work with. "

 GI is a bust wrote on June 23, 2008 7:39 pm:
" Grand Island + State Fair = Terrible entertainment.

Face it people, it won't get any better after the next two years. Ohhh well, River City Roundup is much better than the fair's concerts anyway.

GI will be begging the state for $3 million every year to keep the thing going. 200,000 or less people average at the fair following the first year guaranteed. Nobody attending east of Lincoln eliminates 1,000,000 people instantly. "

 Parking wrote on June 23, 2008 8:26 pm:
" Hey JB - and others - how about checking your facts? You don't have to pay any longer to go to the State Fair. Parking is free. All you have to do is to pay to get in, experience the fair, and go see a free, open-air concert. The last two years were Pat Benatar and Joan Jett - and they were PACKED. The concerts do bring people.

And there is a reason these are people at the State Fair - if they were still terribly relevant, they would be playing arenas. This is about as good as you get with a State Fair, especially for FREE CONCERTS. People in Lincoln are so whiney. "

 Late ODay wrote on June 23, 2008 11:25 pm:
" Sounds like they have BOTH kinds of music: "country" & "western". "

 Ricky wrote on June 23, 2008 11:53 pm:
" Oh my gosh the State Fair Board has got the pulse of the rock music nation with this line-up!
I can get somebody to play washing boards cheaper!
Go Grand Island!

Ricky From Omaha "

 Third Day fan wrote on June 24, 2008 7:31 am:
" Third Day is a highly successful/award winning Christian rock band. Check their website. Can't wait to see them! "

 boring wrote on June 24, 2008 7:46 am:
" enough said. "

 Dano wrote on June 24, 2008 8:39 am:
" Whatever happened to getting bigger acts to come to devaney and do the fair. Back then I remember seeing top acts of the day like Brooks and Dunn, Clint Black, Toby Keith, Def Leppard, and host of other huge acts in the mid 90's. I gladly paid the $15 - 30 tickets fee for those back then. I would pay to see those because I could go into the fair afterward. They still had the free air concerts for local bands, but they also had the big draws as well. They want people to go to the fair, then they have to spend money to make money. Bring in today's top acts, and see what kind of attendance you have. If you bring in talent, people will pay to reasonable tickets prices to see it.

It was the only reason I wanted to go to the fair. I wasn't going to see pies, vegetables, sheep, cows,etc. I could go outside and see that. I wasn't there for the same Neb Games and parks fish tank (probably still the same), unscrupulous carnies, bad fair food, or to buy a hottub, water softener or set of kitchen wear. The bands were the only cool part of the fair, the rest we just accepted because we could get in there afterward and waste some time and money, which unfortuantely is all it has become. "

 BOOYAH wrote on June 24, 2008 9:22 am:
" Everyone needs to get their facts straight. Parking is FREE. It has been free for a couple of years. Clearly some of you have not been to the fair recently. How can you say the fair is not an entertainment value. You think nothing of paying $9.00 for a 2 hour movie . . . but you can't pay $8.00 for an entire day of entertainment and then throw in a concert in the evening? "

 Actually Chris... wrote on June 24, 2008 9:38 am:
" it is summer time so 70% of concerts are outside. Why would you want to go to an arena and be shoulder to shoulder in seats when you could be outside enjoying the weather and music? Most acts perfer playing outside because it is easier to setup. "

 Mike Douglas wrote on June 24, 2008 10:18 am:
" What do you get for the $8?

You get the opportunity to spend MORE money on rides and food. Oh, and you also get to see a washed up crappy band (Boys to Men? Are you KIDDING me?). Yippee! "

 Stir Concert Cove wrote on June 24, 2008 10:58 am:
" A fairly decent lineup. I'm a big Miranda Lambert fan. I may venture out to see Boys II Men as well. I do wish Lincoln had some a venue or comparable to the Stir Concert Cove in Council Bluffs. They're bringing in a lot of acts in a wide variety of genres. I'm planning on seeing Los Lonely Boys there. Other acts playing there this summer include Sammy Hagar, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Alice Cooper, Crosby, Stills and Nash.

I love to see a few of those acts at the Rococo, a tremendously underused facility in my opinion. I may be checking out James Otto at Uncle Ron's this week. Haven't been there before. "

 Reality check wrote on June 24, 2008 12:56 pm:
" I read through the comments & the vast majority of posters seem to want something for nothing. They believe we should be getting in major, current, touring acts to play for free at the fair. Why don't they give away free food and drink, and bags of money while they are at it?
By the way folks, according to Billboard the top grossing acts right now are 1. Kenny Chesney-Keith Urban-LeAnn Rimes, 2. Tom Petty & the Heatbreakers, and 3. Leonard Cohen. None of those is exactly blowing my skirt up.
The proposed downtown arena will bring in more concerts, granted probably not the top acts. But they will book decent concerts and we'll have Doc and the boys playing some serious b-ball.
When you get a chance, vote for the new arena! "

 My goodness wrote on June 24, 2008 12:59 pm:
" The State Fair is NOT Disney Land! No one should go EXPECTING to see celebrities or giant water rides and roller coasters.

On a side note: consider the cost difference.

I'm not sure what the general population expects from a State Fair, but the whole purpose of the event has been lost. I challenge all of you to spend the day there and really soak it all in (and I mean ALL of it).

We live in NEBRASKA. Everything west of Lincoln is 'country.' People spend their whole summers preparing their 4H exhibits...showing cattle, barrel racing, crafts, sewing... It's a reward and privilege to take an exhibit. It is earned. It's a place for good old-fashioned competition. That is the State Fair.

The entertainment is all for frills and feathers and to help attract the city folk. Don't like it? Stay home.

If you're looking for something a little less dusty and drab, try Disney Land or a theme park.

PS: Try exposing your children to a bit of the country life. Have they ever seen a cow, a horse, or a pig in person? Take them and TEACH them! "

 Real wrote on June 24, 2008 2:39 pm:
" Us "city folk" HAVE been staying home. And that's why the fair is FAILING. Duh. Without any "city folk" at all, the fair can't be successful. "

 Matt wrote on June 24, 2008 2:53 pm:
" Boyz II Men ABC, BBD, mmmm hmmm "

 T wrote on June 24, 2008 3:52 pm:
" Do you have a suggestion to help make the fair better? Who would you like to see perform at the fair? I mean, your post was incredibly insightful and informative. I just wish I could pick your brain and find out more of your amazing thoughts. According to you, every band coming to the fair this year is "crappy" and "washed up". I'm just curious to know who you'd like to see instead. Please feel free to share. Wow! :) "

 Dear Lord... wrote on June 24, 2008 6:56 pm:
" Is this all we get these days? A bunch of has-been musicians, nobodies, and comics no one has ever heard of. Sounds read good. I look forward to missing it. "

 lalala wrote on June 25, 2008 6:22 pm:
" there are so many great up and coming bands touring right now...yet this is the best we can get!?!?! "

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