With live music as one of its cornerstones, the State Fair of Texas presents 24 days of free concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage, featuring a variety of musical acts across all genres. The Fair is proud to announce the initial list of confirmed headliners scheduled to appear on the Chevrolet Main Stage in this year’s free concert series, included with admission to the State Fair.
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Kicking off the concert series on opening night at 8:30 p.m. is country music star, Maren Morris. Raised in Arlington, Texas, her fearless approach to writing and performing began as a young child. After releasing her major-label studio album in 2016, she was soon crowned New Artist of the Year at the 2016 Country Music Awards and later received a Grammy Award that same year for her debut single, “My Church.” In addition to performing, her talents as a songwriter have been associated with industry names like Tim McGraw and Kelly Clarkson. With musical styles ranging from danceable twang to pop-country gospel, Maren’s dynamic background continues to take the country music scene by storm.[/two_third_last]
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[/one_third][two_third_last]Globally-recognized rap artist, Flo Rida, and his pop protégé, Macy Kate, continue opening weekend with a dual performance on Saturday, September 30 at 8:30 p.m. Widely known for his five chart-topping singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including “Right Round” and “Club Can’t Handle Me,” Flo Rida also owns his own record label – IMG/StrongArm, which recently signed his co-performer Macy Kate. At only 18 years old, Macy Kate has already played for crowds as large as 90,000 and has shared the stage with top artists like Maroon 5 and Ariana Grande. Together, their multi-genre musical offering blurs the boundaries between fans of pop, hip-hop, and club music.[/two_third_last]
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[/one_third][two_third_last]Bringing opening weekend to a close on Sunday, October 1 at 5:30 p.m. is Tejano music phenomenon, La Mafia. After three decades of music, the Houston-based group has produced 38 albums with a combined total of more than 12 million copies sold. Looking to expand its musical horizons in the late 1980s, the band promoted its innovative sound while touring Mexico and Latin America, where the collaboration of Mexican-American artists was unheard of at that time. La Mafia’s fresh and timeless talent has earned its members numerous accolades throughout their career, including two Grammy Awards, two Latin Grammy Awards, 12 Tejano Music Awards, and a decade-long streak on the Billboard Top 10 Latin Artists chart.[/two_third_last]
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[/one_third][two_third_last]R&B artist Ro James will perform for fans on Saturday, October 7 at 2:00 p.m. Throughout his childhood, Ro and his family moved to different cities all across the country, which meant Ro was exposed to a wide range of musical genres with each move. It wasn’t until age 19 that Ro first landed in a recording studio, and in 2013 he rolled out a three-part EP called, “Coke, Jack, and Cadillacs.” He later signed with RCA Records, releasing his debut major-label single, “Permission,” in 2015, followed by his debut album, “Eldorado,” in 2017.[/two_third_last]
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[/one_third][two_third_last]Taking the stage on Sunday, October 8 at 5:30 p.m. is the fabulous female trio, Wilson Phillips. After releasing its debut album in 1990, the band reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with its hit single, “Hold On.” Two other notable singles from the same album also hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart – “Release Me” and “You’re in Love.” The girl group has received five Grammy Award nominations, in addition to winning the Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year in 1990. Although the band took a long hiatus after seeing huge success in the early 1990s, the members have reunited to collaborate on a variety of projects throughout the years, including a memorable cameo in the 2011 film, “Bridesmaids.”[/two_third_last]
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[/one_third][two_third_last]With more than 50 years in the music business under his belt, Charlie Daniels is no stranger to the stage. Fairgoers can jam with the legendary Charlie Daniels Band on Sunday, October 15 at 5:30 p.m. After writing and producing with musicians like Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan early in his career, Charlie found his own unique voice as an artist and formed the Charlie Daniels Band in 1972. While recording hit songs with his own band, Charlie also played fiddle on many of the Marshall Tucker Band’s early albums. In addition to winning the 1979 Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Charlie’s accolades include being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry.[/two_third_last]
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[/one_third][two_third_last]Closing weekend of the Fair will include a passionate performance from Christian pop duo, For King & Country, on Saturday, October 21 at 8:30 p.m. Founded by brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, For King & Country released its debut album, “Crave,” in 2012 and later that year was named one of Billboard’s New Artists to Watch. The band’s second studio album was released in 2014, debuting at No. 1 on iTunes before winning two Grammy Awards. The brothers have performed on network television shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Today Show, in addition to playing more than 150 shows throughout their 2016 tour.[/two_third_last]
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[/one_third][two_third_last]The concert series will conclude on Sunday, October 22 at 3:00 p.m. with a lively performance from Los Traileros Del Norte. One of the most popular acts in the Norteño music genre, Los Traileros Del Norte was formed in 1983 in Nuevo León, Mexico. Starting out playing locally at parties and events, the group has since developed a large following in both Mexico and the United States. The all-male ensemble consists of six members incorporating a variety of instruments and sounds, including drums, accordion, percussion, and bass. Some of the band’s most notable albums include “Quisiera Ser Una Lágrima,” “Rosas Blancas,” and “Como Decirte.”[/two_third_last]
The Chevrolet Main Stage is an outdoor venue with a huge, festival-type stage and experience, as well as an ADA-compliant area for guests needing special assistance. The stage showcases national and regional talent of all types, with all performances included in the price of admission. Regional acts for the State Fair of Texas Chevrolet Main Stage will be announced later this summer.
Glenn Smith Presents, Incorporated (“GSPI”) will produce this year’s Chevrolet Main Stage, having produced the Fair’s live concert series for 28 consecutive seasons. In the past years, GSPI has booked a wide range of notable headliners for the State Fair’s main stage event, including Destiny’s Child, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Selena, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, the Jonas Brothers, and Garth Brooks.
2017 State Fair of Texas Chevrolet Main Stage Headliner Schedule
| Start Time | End Time | Training Session |
|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | 10:15 a.m. | Re-branding |
| 10:30 a.m. | 12 p.m. | Resume Writing |
| 1:30 p.m. | 3 p.m. | Interviewing Skills |
| 3:30 p.m. | 4:15 p.m. | Emotional Intelligence |
In addition to the Chevrolet Main Stage, the Fair offers daily live music performances on multiple other stages throughout the grounds. Centrally located in Cotton Bowl Plaza, the Cotton Bowl Plaza Stage is convenient to everyone’s Fair food favorites and features a wide variety of local and regional acts. The 2017 lineup ranges from Tejano to classic country, featuring performances from Coffey Anderson, the Tejas Brothers, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, and Vince Vance & the Valiants.
Nestled in the heart of the Midway inside the Coca-Cola Picnic Grove, the Midway Stage is perfect for staking out a spot at the picnic benches and relaxing in the shade while enjoying a family-friendly musical performance. With a new musical act for 2017, the Midway Stage will host Vocal Trash, who will be performing daily throughout the run of the Fair.
On Nimitz Circle next to the Creative Arts building is the Dr Pepper Stage, offering an eclectic mix of musical talent and a quaint grassy area to relax with friends and family. The stage will feature an all-new 2017 lineup, with performances from Kadie Lynn Roberson, Kevin Bailey Band, Blane Howard, and Maggie Baugh.
Mark your calendars for the 2017 State Fair of Texas, themed “Celebrating Texans.” The Fair invites you to join the fun and attend this year’s event, running Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 22.