N.C. State Fair announces 2013 concert lineup
The 2013 State Fair fall concert lineup will feature performances by country, contemporary Christian and bluegrass musicians, along with a unique Michael Jackson tribute band.
Sister Hazel will kickoff the series on Thursday, Oct. 17. The alternative rock band has been entertaining since 1993 and has created such hits as "All for You" and "Change Your Mind."
Friday, Oct. 18, will feature two contemporary Christian artists, both of whom are Dove Award winners. Francesca Battistelli was a Grammy nominee, and is well known for her singles "This is the Stuff" and "Free to Be Me." The band Building 429, which includes Fayetteville natives, will perform such hits as "We Won't Be Shaken" and "Where I Belong."
Country music artist Joe Nichols will take the stage Saturday, Oct. 19. The Grammy-nominated musician is known for his hits "Gimme That Girl" and "Brokenheartsville."
Rising country duo Florida Georgia Line will bring their rocking show to Dorton on Oct. 20. Their popular songs "Cruise" and "Get Your Shine On" are current chart toppers.
North Carolina's own country star, Scotty McCreery, will perform Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 21 and 22. McCreery shot to fame by winning "American Idol" and followed up with several Country Music Association and Country Music Television awards. Now a student at N.C. State University, McCreery has hit the charts with "The Trouble with Girls" and "See You Tonight."
Bluegrass Band of the Year for 2013, Dailey and Vincent, will perform on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The group has also won many International Bluegrass Music Association awards.
The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, Who's Bad, also native to North Carolina, will perform on Thursday, Oct. 24. The group was founded in 2005 and received the opportunity to play in 2010 at the London O2 arena, which was the venue for what would have been Jackson's final concert series.
Christian rock group MercyMe will perform Friday, Oct. 25. MercyMe has won several Dove and American Music Awards and is best known for the songs "I Can Only Imagine," "Spoken For" and "All of Creation."
Randy Houser, another country music artist, will perform Saturday, Oct. 26. Houser has co-written several songs for other artists, including Trace Adkin's "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," and is also well known for his own hit singles "Anything Goes" and "How Country Feels."
The Eli Young Band will close out the 2013 N.C. State Fair concert series on Sunday, Oct. 27. The band won the 2012 Academy of Country Music award for Song of the Year for its hit "Crazy Girl."
All shows will begin at 7:30 p.m., and doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale Aug. 1 online at www.ncstatefair.org. Prices are outlined below.
- Thursday, Oct. 17: Sister Hazel, $5
- Friday, Oct. 18: Francesca Battistelli and Building 429, $10
- Saturday, Oct. 19: Joe Nichols, $10
- Sunday, Oct. 20: Florida Georgia Line, $10
- Monday, Oct. 21: Scotty McCreery, $25
- Tuesday, Oct. 22: Scotty McCreery, $25
- Wednesday, Oct. 23: Dailey and Vincent, $5
- Thursday, Oct. 24: Who's Bad, $5
- Friday, Oct. 25: MercyMe, $15
- Saturday, Oct. 26: Randy Houser, $10
- Sunday, Oct. 27: Eli Young Band, $15
