State Fair has new director
Monday, May 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* SJ-R…
A Fulton County farmer with longtime ties to the Illinois State Fair has been named manager of state fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin.
An announcement Monday from the Illinois Department of Agriculture indicated Patrick Buchen, 63, would start work immediately. Buchen succeeds Amy Bliefnick. Bliefnick, who was named Springfield fair manager during the Blagojevich administration in 2005, was among agency heads and managers let go in January by the Rauner administration. […]
Buchen also has served as executive director of the Indiana State Fair, executive director of the Texas Longhorn Cattle Breeders Association and president of HSI Show Productions.
No word yet on his musical tastes. We’ll probably get an idea, though, when he announces Meat Loaf’s replacement.
Maybe we should give him some concert suggestions?…
- VanillaMan - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:32 pm:
Disney Radio night.
It would be a massive sell-out.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:36 pm:
Kid Rock
- Juice - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:37 pm:
Wait, not Katie Spindell?
- Cosmosa - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:39 pm:
No snark: Warren Haynes/Govt. Mule
- Filmmaker Professor - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:40 pm:
Flying Burrito Brothers
- jerry 101 - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
This guy. Heard he works cheap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POvLaziUsTo
- Give Me A Break - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:42 pm:
So it would appear this guys has some background and experience in running fairs and producing big events. This has got to stop, this is Illinois hiring qualified people to run things is simply not done.
- Waffle Fries - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:52 pm:
Tedeschi Trucks Band - make it happen Rich
- OneMan - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
It seems to me Cheap Trick should be booked every year…
- Stones - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
Reo Speedwagon. Champaign’s own
- phocion - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:56 pm:
Chicago
- Rayne of Terror - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:56 pm:
Indiana SF had Bare Naked Ladies last year. I wouldn’t be opposed to copying that.
- BlameBruceRauner - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:58 pm:
The state fair is embarrassing. I’m so tired of the washed up has-beens, the overload of country music, or the hottest new teeny bopper. They need to have some better acts at smaller venues within the fair. Get some diversity!
- Norseman - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:58 pm:
Have Mac Davis come. He can at least play one song it honor of our new Gov. - “Hard to be Humble.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCsNunGnqE0
- Norseman - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
Oops, “in honor”, not “it honor.”
- BlameBruceRauner - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
The Hillbenders are doing a performance of The Whos- Tommy bluegrass style. They could sell this out right? Check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLgbU7acsgY
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
People, the State Fair types who read this blog might mistake some of your snark for actual suggestions.
Let’s be careful out there.
And, by the way, Wilco or go home.
- Team Sleep - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:01 pm:
Avenged Sevenfold and Breaking Benjamin are playing in Michigan and Wisconsin in mid-to-late July. Make them an offer they can’t refuse.
- BlameBruceRauner - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
Steel Panther
Just don’t bring the kids
- Ethan Hawk - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
Chicago would be nice. The Rolling Stones would “really be nice”. It is too bad that Meat Loaf unexpectedly pulled out and left like a bat out of hell.
- Norseman - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:12 pm:
=== People, the State Fair types who read this blog might mistake some of your snark for actual suggestions. ===
God I hope so!
- OurMagician - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
Loose Gravel
- Anonymous - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:19 pm:
I know it wont happen but Tom Petty. LOVE Power Drunk.
- exbricklayer - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:19 pm:
It’s too bad that Pork Armstrong has passed on to that great jukebox in the sky. He was a staple at the Wisconsin SF beer tent for years and even headlined the main stage a couple of times.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:22 pm:
==Indiana SF had Bare Naked Ladies last year. I wouldn’t be opposed to copying that.==
A little risqué , but ….oh, wait, you mean the band
- Roadbuilder - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:22 pm:
Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, or Imagine Dragons
- zatoichi - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
AC/DC would be a pleasant night out.
- Skeptic - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:24 pm:
Weird Al has it all…new music, old music, a good show, family friendly, a backing band that’s as good as any and better than most. And he has a new album out he’s promoting.
- Fair Enthusiast - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:25 pm:
It might be instructive to ensure that the next act understands the State’s fiscal condition so they don’t back out like Meat Loaf did.
My vote is for Willie Nelson.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:27 pm:
I’ve always wondered why the State doesn’t promote the Grandstand more as a concert venue during other Summer months as well. It just sits empty for most of the year, but has a huge infield perfect for concerts/festivals
- downstate commissioner - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:31 pm:
@Fair Enthusiast- Excellent choice- do you think that medical marijuana will be in operation by then? Willie is old enough that he would surely qualify somehow…
- AC - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:35 pm:
The White Stripes (or even just Jack White if they won’t get back together), Wilco would be awesome, Arcade Fire (if they can fill Madison Square Garden, they can fill the fairgrounds), Alabama Shakes (cool CBS Sunday morning story about them, but The credit Rich for knowing about them), The Black Keys (their retro styled rock would work for the older and younger crowd), and last but not least, there continue to be rumors of Genesis getting back together for a tour, forget Glastonberry I’d love to see them at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
- Anonin' - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:47 pm:
Beach Boys always packed the place.
BTW what is his view on harness racing? That aspect of fair might been attention too
- Skeptic - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 3:58 pm:
Anonymous @ 3:27 pm: From what I’m told, it’s not a particularly good place to see a show.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 4:05 pm:
===it’s not a particularly good place to see a show.===
Sure it is.
- OneMan - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 4:13 pm:
AC — I would wear a Quinn For Governor T-Shirt and wear a Rod mask to see a reunited Genesis at the state fair…
Another option might be Weird Al, he packs them in, when in Chicagoland.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 4:15 pm:
With Willie and Merle’s new song “It’s All Going to Pot” they could not only headline the State Fair, they could’ve wrote the new state song.
- Bigtwich - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 4:24 pm:
Ellen Foley. It would be “fair”.
- RNUG - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
- exbricklayer -
I agree. Too bad Pork’s gone.
BTW: I’ve go copies of almost all his stuff on CD, including one early one I digitized from an old cassette and another early one on LP I haven’t put on CD yet.
- Wordslinger - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 4:33 pm:
I’d like to suggest the new director get to work on lining up more corporate sponsorship.
It’s shocking how few Illinois has compared to Indiana, Iowa, and especially Wisconsin. Whole categories of sponsorship are missing in Illinois. Seriously, how can the state fair not have one soft drink sponsor?
Not to mention obvious Illinois corporate “citizens,” many of whom are first at the trough when the tax breaks are doled out.
- Keyser Soze - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 4:48 pm:
The Wisconsin favorites - Violent Femmes and the BoDeans. What a show that would be.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 5:46 pm:
RNUG, I would buy you a couple beverages of your choice to get copies of Pork’s LP’s. I burnt a lotta young brain cells with that guy. Operator, Operator!
To the Post, Beach Boys/Chicago for us old fogies. Willie would be great too. Alabama Shakes for the youngsters.
A NASCAR ARCA race would be nice as well.
- steve schnorf - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 6:17 pm:
AA-and the famous spider man mask
- steve schnorf - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 6:35 pm:
to the post, really the only acts that I’ve seen in the last 2 or 3 years that I would walk across the street to see again are the Secret Sisters and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. I think they’re both great, but they probably aren’t good fair grandstand shows. I could suggest Sleepy LaBeef as an opening act for a show
- Anonymous - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 7:09 pm:
==A NASCAR ARCA race would be nice as well==
….ARCA races there every year on the last Sunday. USAC Silver Crown Sprints always race the day before
- Liberty - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 7:32 pm:
What does Indiana pay their fair manager?
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 7:36 pm:
Liberty, try the Google.
http://www.ibj.com/articles/34344-indiana-state-fair-makes-management-changes
- Nevermore - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 7:54 pm:
Just to be different…Grand Funk Railroad.
- Philo - Center of the Universe - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 8:33 pm:
==I burnt a lotta young brain cells with that guy. Operator, Operator!==
AA - I scheduled my physics labs so I could get a table at Kam’s on Friday afternoons for Pork’s weekly blowout. Loved him doing Wipeout on his steel hardhat after Audrey sang Satin Sheets to end the first set.
- RNUG - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 10:03 pm:
-AA-,
I’m sure we can work something out. I know where the one cassette is but not sure about the CD made from it. I think I know where the LP is. Let me locate all of them; we’ve got 1,000’s of CD’s and I don’t want to promise until I have it in hand.
- Newsclown - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 10:09 pm:
Apologies for double-posting..
The Beach Boys, as you remember them, are long gone, they broke up and Mike Love went touring with a simulacrum. He and Brian fight over Al Jardine like the lone kid in a divorce custody battle. No, what you want, really, is just Brian Wilson on tour for his new album: “No Pier Pressure”, with his very, VERY good backing band, and maybe some guest singers along. But the old Beach Boys line-up - forget it. Brian Wilson was and is the core of that sound, and he can still sing as well as write. You should have seen him at the Sangamon Auditorium couple years ago - a breathtaking show.
I would see Weird Al, but the last time he played here, the advance promotion was weak and the attendance was pitiful. Didn’t stop Al, who has replaced James Brown as THWPISB.
You may not like it, but country-pop sells big in the 50-100-mile range of the Springfield market. The country shows almost always sell out and pay the bulk of the bills. The older classic rockers are touch and go as to quality and availability, but you only have a few each summer to pick from, that are already on tour, and have a slot in their calendar that fits our fair. I can only see Styx and REO and Cheap Trick without Bunny so many times, man.
Aerosmith is touring this summer and might be induced to add a show on their way to Grand Rapids Michigan…
You know what hasn’t been tried for years, is a night of high-profile stand-up comedy acts. They did do it once in DuQuoin, back when Emo Phillps and Judy Tenuta were new. Judy zinged Thompson a few times. That tells you how long since they did that.
R&B acts and hip-hop shows could be big draws, as could be a “rave”/techno/EDM night, but fair management has always been a little conservative about these genres.
What about a day-long, no reserved seating festival setup at the Grandstand or All-Purpose Arena, where you get a wristband for in-and-out privileges and there’s ten or so less-known bands thru the day into the evening, with one medium-big headliner? All for one reasonable price? The idea is to keep people on the grounds longer, even all day, so they spend more.
- Downstate Illinois - Monday, May 4, 15 @ 10:52 pm:
I think this will be the first time DuQuoin doesn’t have its own manager.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 5, 15 @ 12:02 am:
==Aerosmith is touring this summer and might be induced to add a show on their way to Grand Rapids Michigan==
Aerosmith hasn’t played in Springfield since Steven Tyler fell off the stage in the early 80’s and made the band try to go sober…but rumor has it there are people pushing to get them back to town soon. I doubt it will be at the State Fair, though. Prediction: Sammy Hagar will be the biggest draw, possibly a sell out. He still sells out St Louis every time he’s down there. Good get.