FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

CONTACT:

Natalie Alford, public information officer N.C. State Fair (919) 839-4527

N.C. State Fair announces 2011 concert lineup

RALEIGH – The 2011 N.C. State Fair concert lineup will feature established artists and rising stars from country, Christian, pop, soul and classic rock.

Country newcomer Craig Campbell will open the 11-show series on Thursday, Oct. 13.  Campbell will perform songs from his self-titled debut album, including the smash “Family Man.”

The hits “Savior,” “Rebirthing,” and “Awake and Alive” will be among the offerings when GMA and Billboard Music Award-winning Christian rock group Skillet takes the stage on Friday, Oct. 14.

North Carolina’s own Tift Merritt (pictured, right) returns on Sunday, Oct. 16, with songs from her new album “See You on the Moon,” in addition to work from her previous five albums, including the 2004 Grammy-nominated “Tambourine.”

Rising country duo Steel Magnolia, who won season two of “Can You Duet,” will perform Monday, Oct. 17. The duo’s hits include “Keep On Lovin’ You” and “Last Night Again.”

Country legend George Jones will grace the Dorton Arena stage on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The 1992 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee will have plenty of songs to draw from – he has recorded 150 hits as a solo artist or duet partner. His popular songs include “White Lightning,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” “Golden Ring” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, rising country star David Nail will sing his hit singles “Red Light” and “Turning Home."

Dionne Warwick will take the stage Thursday, Oct. 20, with soulful classics such as “I Say a Little Prayer” and “I’ll Never Love This Way Again.”

On Friday, Oct. 21, Dove Award-winning Christian group Newsboys will perform older singles such as “Wherever We Go,” "Shine" and new ones, too.

Kansas (pictured, left) will bring its classic 1970s sound to the stage on Saturday, Oct. 22, with favorites “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry on Wayward Son” among others.

North Carolina native and three-time CMT Award-winner Kellie Pickler will close out the series on Sunday, Oct. 23, with a performance featuring some of her top hits including “Red High Heels,” “I Wonder” and “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind.”

Due to contractual obligations, the artist scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15, will be announced at a later date.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

 

Tickets will go on sale Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. online at www.ncstatefair.org. Prices range from $5 to $15 as outlined below.

Thursday, Oct. 13: Craig Campbell, $5
Friday, Oct. 14: Skillet, $15
Saturday, Oct. 15: TBA
Sunday, Oct. 16: Tift Merritt, $5
Monday, Oct. 17: Steel Magnolia, $5
Tuesday, Oct. 18: George Jones, $10
Wednesday, Oct. 19: David Nail, $5
Thursday, Oct. 20: Dionne Warwick, $10
Friday, Oct. 21: Newsboys, $10
Saturday, Oct. 22: Kansas, $10
Sunday, Oct. 23: Kellie Pickler, $15

-jdm-