BLACKBERRY SMOKE ADDED TO THIS YEAR'S DU QUOIN STATE FAIR 

Du Quoin State Fair officials add to their lineup of entertainment by announcing Blackberry Smoke will play the grandstand on Saturday, Aug. 25.

In a release from the Fair’s main office, the band is described as “a blend of classic rock, blues, country, and folk” — the release said their albums are “full of variety” and should offer something to everyone who attends the show.

The release quotes an interview guitarist/vocalist Charlie Starr did with GRAMMY.com. "It's so good it just can't get old," Starr said. "[Southern rock is] always a welcome sound to people's ears."

Blackberry Smoke has played with the likes of ZZ Top, George Jones, Marshall Tucker Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Tickets for all announced grandstand entertainment go on sale May 19. Blackberry Smoke tickets will range from $17 to $23.

Blackberry Smoke will round out a line up featuring classic rock staples Cheap Trick, as well as country act Brothers Osborne.

Having Rockford-native Cheap Trick is a nod to celebrating the state’s history.

“Southern Illinois will be a key player in the state’s Bicentennial celebration,” State Fair Manager Luke Sailer said in a news release. “It seems only fitting to welcome this highly successful Illinois band to help our state mark such a historic occasion.”

Fans of early-aughts alt-rock will be drawn to the Gen-X Tour featuring Buckcherry, P.O.D., Lit and Alien Ant Farm Aug. 31.

Buckcherry has been performing for nearly a decade, the release announcing the show states. Buckcherry is a Grammy-nominated band and has collaborated with AC/DC, Rob Zombie, Bon Jovi, and Gretchen Wilson. The band is best known for hits such as “Sorry”, “Bring It on Back,” “Tight Pants,” and “Lit Up.”

Not to leave out the softer side, The Du Quoin State Fair will also host the POP2K Tour featuring O-Town, Aaron Carter, Ryan Cabrera and Tyler Hilton Aug. 23.

O-Town rose to fame in 1999 on the reality TV show "Making the Band," and had hits including "All or Nothing" and "Liquid Dreams" during the three seasons they were on the show. The band reunited in 2014 and members are working on their fourth album.

The theme for this year’s fair, which will run from Aug. 24 to Sept. 3, was announced earlier this month. “Celebrate Illinois: 200 Years of Amazing!” was selected to honor the state’s bicentennial.

BROTHERS OSBORNE ADDED TO FAIR

 

Country duo The Brothers Osborne have been added to the 2018 Du Quoin State Fair grandstand lineup.

According to a news release from fair organizers, the singers — who have been named Vocal Duo of the Year two years in a row by the Academy of Country Music — is billed as this year's headliner. They will perform at the fair on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

Along with being honored as Vocal Duo of the Year, the pair has also been awarded Video of the Year for "It Ain't my Fault." Their debut album "Pawn Shop" had four Top 40 hits, including "Rum," "Stay a Little Longer" and "21 Summer."

Tickets are not for sale yet, and organizers have not yet announced when they will go on sale.

Prices for the Brothers Osborne show are $29 for Tier 3, $32 for Tier 2 and $35 for Tier 1.

More musical acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Du Quoin State Fair runs this year from Aug. 24 to Sept. 3. For more information, visit duquoinstatefair.net, facebook.com/duquoinstatefair or twitter.com/DQStateFair.

So far, two other grandstand concerts have been announced:

• Cheap Trick will perform on Sunday, Aug. 26. Ticket prices range from $21 to $27.
• The Gen-X Tour takes the stage on Friday, Aug. 31, including performances by Buckcherry, P.O.D., Lit and Alien Ant Farm. Ticket prices range from $19 to $25.

CHEAP TRICK IS FIRST ACT ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 DU QUOIN STATE FAIR

 Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick will take the grandstand this summer as part of the Du Quoin State Fair entertainment lineup.

Their performance is set for Sunday, Aug. 26.

With more than 5,000 performances, 20 million records sold, 29 movie soundtracks and 40 gold and platinum albums, Cheap Trick is a musical institution. Best known for timeless classics such as “I Want You to Want Me,” “Surrender” and “The Flame,” Cheap Trick is considered one of the most covered bands of all time.

Tickets will go on sale later this spring. Prices will range from $21 to $27. Ticketmaster and the Du Quoin State Fair Box Office are the only authorized outlets to sell concert tickets for the State Fair grandstand.

Cheap Trick formed in 1974 in Rockford.

“Southern Illinois will be a key player in the state’s Bicentennial celebration,” State Fair Manager Luke Sailer said in a news release. “It seems only fitting to welcome this highly successful Illinois
band to help our state mark such a historic occasion.”

More information about this year's fair and entertainment lineup will be released in the coming weeks and months, according to the news release, including details on how the fair will mark the Illinois bicentennial.

The Du Quoin State Fair
 will run from Aug. 24 to Sept. 3.
For more information, visit duquoinstatefair.net
, facebook.com/DuquoinStateFair or twitter.com/DQStateFair.