Petaluma, CA (SONOMA-MARIN FAIR) - 'An American Band is coming to your town' in the form of the top selling rock group of the 70s. In June 2006, Sonoma-Marin Fair will be showcasing Grand Funk Railroad along with Uncle Kracker, Tracy Lawrence,
Craig Chaquico, and Triple Threat bands Blackhawk, Restless Heart, and
Little Texas at the Petaluma Fairgrounds in Petaluma.
'Each one of these headliners is great because of their crossover appeal. We have something for everybody this year from pop to jazz to country to rock. It's a long standing tradition of the Sonoma-Marin Fair to book the best entertainment we possibly can and this year we really did it,' according to Fair Manager Tawny Tesconi. "The acts are included in the price of admission to the fair along with the carnival rides and exhibits, making this fair experience the most affordable and highest value anywhere for families."
The Fair bursts into action with Triple Threat, three rocking country bands hitting the harmonies on the first night of the fair, Wednesday June 21st.
Little Texas looks and performs like a rock act with hits such as What Might Have Been, God Blessed Texas and My Love all from their Big Time album which earned them a Grammy nomination. Their remake of the song Peaceful Easy Feeling on the Common Thread: A Tribute to the Eagles won them their first Country Music Award for Album of the Year.
Playing a pop-friendly brand of country-rock also reminiscent of the Eagles, Restless Heart will perform hits that made both the country and contemporary charts such as I'll Still Be Loving You, Tender Lie, Why Does It Have To Be (Wrong or Right), and When She Cries.
And finally Blackhawk, one of the most successful new country groups of the mid 90s, will take the stage with its blend of country-pop and contemporary country. Known for their debut single Goodbye Says it All, their repertoire also includes 15 Top 40 Hits such as Every Once in A While, That's Just About Right, and I'm Not Strong Enough to Say No.
Country fans will get even more on Thursday, June 22nd with Tracy Lawrence who has posted hits such as Can't Break It To My Heart, Time Marches On, Better Man, Better Off. Lawrence claimed the Top New Male Vocalist in country music midcareer and has since gone on to become a favorite with country listeners.
Uncle Kracker takes the stage on Friday, June 23rd with pop songs from his new album 72 AND SUNNY as well as the hip-hop and rock songs for which he's known. A songwriter with a penchant for repeating choruses, Uncle Kracker will sing top hits such as Follow Me, Drift Away, and In a Little While. Having recorded with Kid Rock, his sound has been described as 'a maddening country growl woven into mainstream modern rock to create a mindblowing rap excursion' by the All Music Guide.
Grand Funk Railroad still reigns over the classic rock landscape more than 35 years after its inception. On Saturday, June 24th, fans will hear hits such as We're An American Bank, I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home, Locomotion, and Some Kind of Wonderful. Reformed in 2001 with two of the original members, Grand Funk is touring the United States in 2006 celebrating its reissue of the group's entire catalog on CD and the box set Thirty Years of Funk. 'We're an American Band' may be familiar to younger audiences through its recent use in films such as The Country Bears, RADIO, and SAHARA.
The Jazz & Blues Festival on Sunday boasts Craig Chaquico, formerly of Jefferson Starship (and later Starship) who wrote or co-wrote such songs as Jane, Find Your Way Back, and Layin It on the Line. Since the 90s, he has diversified his music and branched out into world music as can be heard on his song Just One World on the Acoustic Planet album which incorporates African and Native American music.
The Jazz & Blues Festival also will feature Peter Welker and other artists. The Latino Music Festival will feature a variety of Latino artists from traditional to modern on Sunday, June 25th. Artists will be announced in May.
The Sonoma-Marin Fair takes place June 21 to June 25 at the Petaluma Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California from noon to midnight (gates close at 10 p.m.). Evening concerts start at 7:30 p.m. For more information about the concerts or to purchase fair tickets, visit www.yourfair.org or call 707-283-FAIR (3247) The price of admission includes all concerts, rides, and exhibits. Tickets are $14 for Adults (13 and over), $9 for Juniors (4 to 12), $8 for Seniors (65 and older), with children under 4 free. Online tickets may be purchased before June 21st at a discount.
