State Fair of Texas Announces 2016 Free Concert Lineup

DALLAS, TEXAS – June 1, 2016 – 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.
Country music star Kacey Musgraves will kick off the concert series on opening night of the Fair, Friday, September 30 at 8:30 p.m. The East Texas native made her stage debut at eight years old and has been performing ever since. Kacey caught her big break after competing on the hit TV show “Nashville Star” in 2007, moving on to co-write songs with major country artists like Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride. Kacey’s accolades include three CMA Awards, two Grammy Awards and an ACM Award.
Opening weekend will conclude on Sunday, October 2 with back-to-back headlining performances. Taking the stage at 3:00 p.m., the Chris Perez Project blends American rock with Hispanic heritage. As the former husband and lead guitarist for Tejano legend Selena, Chris Perez’s success in the music industry comes as no surprise. Perez has performed with many different musical groups throughout the years including the Chris Perez Band, whose success lead to a 1999 Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.
The Tejano sounds will continue at 5:30 p.m. with AB Quintanilla y los Kumbia King All Starz. As the older brother of Selena, AB Quintanilla has Latin music in his blood. Quintanilla’s musical background includes co-writing songs and performing with his sister in their band Los Dinos, as well as founding several bands of his own. His talent has garnered countless honors over the years, including multiple Grammy nominations, an American Music Award nomination, a Latin Grammy Award and a Billboard Latin Music Award.
Kicking off Red River Showdown weekend, Prophets and Outlaws takes the stage on Friday, October 7 with shows at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Blending country and Southern rock with the Blues, Prophets and Outlaws brings a sound that truly captures the essence of Texas. Formed in Dallas, the band has a solid regional following and continues to grow in notoriety. Prophets and Outlaws released its latest album “V” earlier this year and is currently touring throughout Texas and Oklahoma.
On Saturday October 8 at 8:30 p.m. country singer Cody Johnson will wow fairgoers with his smoky baritone voice and Texas cowboy style. In 2011, Cody won the Texas Regional Music Award for New Male Vocalist of the Year. In January 2014, Cody’s “Cowboy Like Me” album debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. With a background in competitive bull riding, Cody has lived the cowboy lifestyle he writes about in his song lyrics. His sixth album “Gotta Be Me” is scheduled to release later this summer.
Bringing an unconventional performance to the lineup, Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots Concert Spectacular began as a group of friends playing silly tunes on local stages and has turned into a beloved musical comedy group with an unexpected following. Fairgoers can catch Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots on Sunday, October 9 at 3:00 p.m. After performing at a small charity event in 2014 and seeing how much money was raised in ticket sales, Bobby and his band decided to use their combination of humor and music to help communities in need. Since then, the group has raised more than $2 million for various charities through its performances. Bobby Bones has a nationally syndicated weekday radio show, and his new book Bare Bones, was released last week (#6 on The New York Times Best Sellers List).
Nashville-based singer/songwriter Ben Rector is bringing his talents to Texas, headlining the Columbus Day concert on Monday, October 10 at 5:30 p.m. The multi-talented artist not only sings and writes songs, but also plays piano and guitar. After releasing his first album when he was only a freshman in college, Ben won the Grand Prize in the pop category of the esteemed John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 2006. He has released seven albums to date, with his most recent album “Brand New” debuting at number nine on the Billboard 200 chart in 2015.
Hailing from the small Texas town of Bastrop, The Peterson Brothers have forged their way into the Austin music scene and proven themselves to be the next rising stars of the Blues genre. Despite their young ages of 17 and 19, Alex and Glenn Peterson have already had the opportunity to share the stage with true music legends such as Pinetop Perkins, Willie Nelson, Los Lonely Boys, Buddy Guy and the late B.B. King. Blending traditional Blues with soul and funk, The Peterson Brothers make their Main Stage debut on Friday, October 14 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Two-time Grammy Award winner Nelly will perform for fans on Saturday, October 15 at 8:30 p.m. The rapper hit it big in 2000 with his first solo album “Country Grammar” which went platinum nine times over in the U.S. and debuted at number three in the Billboard 200 chart. His hit singles include “Ride Wit Me,” “Dilemma,” “Hot in Herre” and “Work It,” to name a few. While continuing to create chart-topping albums, Nelly has also made a name for himself in television, film, fashion and philanthropy. Currently the artist stars in his own reality TV show on BET called “Nellyville,” which follows him through everyday life, from managing his career to spending time with his family.
Back by popular demand, the fun continues on Sunday, October 16 with Le Freak, “The Greatest Disco Band in the World.”  Le Freak will take the Chevrolet Main Stage by storm at 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Fully outfitted in retro gear to go along with their Disco-era performance, Le Freak adds new energy to songs of the past. Fairgoers of all ages will be dancing and singing along with the band during this upbeat, high-energy show.
Talent clearly runs in the family when it comes to The Quebe Sisters, who will showcase their authentic Americana sound on Friday, October 21 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Hailing from Burleson, this sister trio first found its harmony back in 1998 at a local fiddle competition. Since then, The Quebe Sisters have developed their own blend of Western swing, classic country and Texas-style fiddling. Hulda, Sophia and Grace have opened for American music icons like George Strait and the late Merle Haggard. The Quebe Sisters have released three albums to date and are currently touring across the country.
The Fair will continue its closing weekend with a passionate performance from Colton Dixon on Saturday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m. Born and raised in Tennessee, the Christian rock singer began playing piano and writing songs at a young age and eventually began leading worship for his church youth group. Colton first developed a following in 2012 during his time as a contestant on Season 11 of American Idol, where he placed seventh overall. He then debuted his first album “A Messenger” in 2013, which became the number one selling album of 2013 by a new Christian artist and set a new record for biggest first-week sales in his genre.
Fans get to rock out with two-time Grammy nominated Skillet on Saturday, October 22 at 8:30 p.m. Described as Christian hard rock with alternative and metal elements, the band first formed in 1996 in Memphis, Tennessee. The four-person group has a diverse fan base across the country and are currently working on their ninth studio album, set to be released this summer. In February 2016, Skillet was recognized as having recorded the biggest digital single in the history of Christian music when their song “Monster” hit 2.6 million sales.
The concert series will conclude on Sunday, October 23 at 3:00 p.m. with a headlining performance from La Energía Norteña. The Dallas-based band formed in 2008 and started out playing locally at weddings and quinceañeras. After winning a local contest in 2011, things for La Energía Norteña really started taking off. In 2015 the group received high praise for its third album “Cruzando Territorio,” which was nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Norteño Album. Known for playing Mexican regional music that incorporates the accordion and saxophone, the all-male group stays true to its roots while maintaining a fresh musical style.
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 27 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.
2016 State Fair of Texas Chevrolet Main Stage Headliner Schedule

 
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 Budweiser Sound Stage is convenient to everyone’s fair food favorites and features a wide variety of local and regional acts. The 2016 lineup ranges from Tejano to classic country, with performances from Coffey Anderson, the Tejas Brothers and Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band.
Nestled in the heart of the Midway, the Coca-Cola 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 an all-new musical act for 2016, the Coca-Cola Stage will host The Honey Bears, 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 2016 lineup will feature The Killdares, Six Appeal and the Light Crust Doughboys.
Mark your calendars for the 2016 State Fair of Texas, themed “Celebrating Texas Agriculture.” The Fair invites you to join the fun and celebrate the importance of agriculture in the Lone Star State by attending this year’s event, running Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 23.
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About the State Fair of Texas
Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with proceeds helping to preserve and improve Fair Park and underwrite museum, community and scholarship programs for inner city youth and students pursuing agricultural careers. The 2016 exposition runs September 30 through October 23 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information.