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* Another year, another underwhelming State Fair grandstand lineup…

Aug. 12 Jeff Dunham
Aug. 13 3 Doors Down
Aug. 14 Jason Aldean with Chris Young and Thompson Square
Aug. 15 Illinois Symphony Orchestra & Million Dollar Quartet
Aug. 16 Luke Bryan with Trailer Choir
Aug. 17 Oak Ridge Boys with Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers
Aug. 18 Allstar Weekend
Aug. 19 38 Special with Loverboy, April Wine and The Tubes
Aug. 20 MC Hammer & Boyz II Men
Aug. 21 Lady Antebellum with Stealing Angels

Yawn.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:12 pm

Comments

I have a song request for Boyz II Men in honor of the state’s budget crisis: “End of the Road.”

Also, MC Hammer can dedicate “2 Legit 2 Quit” to all of Blago’s holdover appointments still in office.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:24 pm
whoa whoa whoa, Hammer & Boyz II Men on the same night? Underwhelming? No way. It’s gonna 1992 all over again. Go Bulls!

Comment by Davey Boy Smithe Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:24 pm
Lady Antebellum is the best thing up there, and that’s saying lots since I don’t like country music!

Comment by amalia Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:24 pm
I think I saw a movie the other day on CMT, “The Oak Ridge Boys Story,” starring Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Bros. Or maybe it was the other way around. Or the Statler Bros.

The Tubes definitely weren’t in it. Bands like that really don’t age very well. It’s not like the old Blues players who can go on and on.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:27 pm
MC Hammer????
This boondoggle costs how much?

Comment by Bill Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:34 pm
This is closer to a Decatur Celebration lineup than a State Fair lineup.

Comment by Served Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:36 pm
and Jeff Dunham’s racist puppet show to boot!

Comment by Emanuel Collective Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:40 pm
But Jeff Dunham is funny live… Also likely the highest grossing guy last year who is on that list.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:48 pm
Also I recall seeing 38 Special at some county fair near Springfield back in the late 80’s when I was visiting my wife (before we got married).

Then again walking the fairgrounds in MC Hammer pants could be entertaining.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:49 pm
oneman
you’d fit right in.

Comment by Bill Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:50 pm
I applaud them putting on a comic for one night, but Dunham is over. I’ve never laughed at a thing he did. DGMW, he’s skilled at what he does, but his material is awful. Still, he’s pulled big numbers, and the fair bookers have to pick from what’s available and affordable, and likey to go over with audiences near Springfield, not what we’d prefer. They should have booked a night of Bob and Tom all-star standups instead of Dunham, though.

I will go see Waybill and the Tubes, however. I will bring a toy baby’s arm, holding an apple. Maybe Fee will autograph it.

Comment by Meh Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:51 pm
Perhaps they could save some money next year and just hire a 80’s cover band to play one night. I suspect it isn’t that much different than having the real Loverboy.

Here is how Loverboys set will…

Hello we are Loverboy

Everyone working for the weekend…

Thank you we were Loverboy.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:52 pm
Also someone may want to tell the press release guy that Terry Factor (different ventriloquist) won America’s Got Talent in 2007, not Jeff Dunham.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fator

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:57 pm
They could always get that ABBA tribbute band that is always so popular at Springfield festivals

Comment by Bill Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 12:58 pm
Correction: Hammer dropped the “MC” in like 1993.

Comment by Just Observing Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:00 pm
Jason Aldean and Lady A will be huge sell outs. Luke Bryan will sell about 6-8000, The rest will be luck to sell 2000 tickets.

It’s HAMMERTIME!!!

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:02 pm
Reading that lineup is a thousand times more entertaining than any of those acts would ever be. Hilarious.

Comment by Ned Nudley Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:03 pm
Hammer…Really? Is there something symbolic about a guy who had a gold plated toilet in his house who later declared bankrupcy playing at the State Fair of a state with a $10 billion yearly dollar deficit.

I think it is PERFECT!

Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:05 pm
Next year how about an open mike…

You want to be in the show, come on baby lets go!

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:06 pm
Come on Rich, this show is going to be awesome. Just the fact that this guy is on the lineup will attract a crowd. Sign me up. As for the rest of the lineup, it isn’t great but it isn’t horrendous either. I suppose you’d rather the State drop all kinds of cash that it doesn’t have for a more star-studded lineup? Yeah I didn’t think so.

Comment by Hammertime! Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:12 pm
===I suppose you’d rather the State drop all kinds of cash that it doesn’t have for a more star-studded lineup? Yeah I didn’t think so.===

Don’t be a fool. They could either spend far less money for substantially equal talent, or go out and spend real money and then charge enough to make a profit.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:14 pm
I guess Frank Stallone wasn’t available this year?

Comment by Stones Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:16 pm
I think I will have two glasses of the April Wine tonight with dinner.
In all seriousness, the Million Dollar Quartet is cool and probably would be great with the symphony.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:21 pm
Ok. Well, if and when they do that my only request to you is that there is no negative post on here about the fact that our cash-strapped state has gone and spent money on a concert instead of funding x, y and z instead, etc. Deal?

Comment by Hammertime! Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:24 pm
Anyone want to pay to see Governor Quinn dance to Hammer Time or Can’t Touch This!? Just saying!. On a serious note, 3 Doors Down is very good, and should do well.

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:26 pm
Hammertime, I’ve been arguing for better State Fair bands for two decades.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:27 pm
…And I didn’t complain at all when they booked Dylan.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:28 pm
In other words, if we’re gonna have a circus, let’s have a good circus.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:30 pm
Since it is in Springfield lord knows we are good on clowns.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:33 pm
I guess Rick Springfield and Eddie Money were booked.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:33 pm
This years line-up looks pretty diverse and a great deal. If you are underwhelmed I suggest staying home and complaining to yourselves that there is nothing to do in Springfield.

38 Special, Loverboy, April Wine and The Tubes…ALL FOUR bands for $25. I’ll be there in the front row.

Comment by Whinners Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:33 pm
I’ve always argued that the Fair is about exhibiting Illinois products. How about different nights showcasing the best of Illinois. There are enough quality indie bands to put together a package show that could attract a sizeable audience. Or how about a blues night or a gospel night. They would not sell as many tickets as Lady Antebellum, but they would have to do better than some of these acts.

Comment by music fan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:35 pm
Alright, alright. Point taken. You don’t have to wait for a good circus by the way. There already is one and it’s taking place at a federal court building in Chicago.

Comment by Hammertime! Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:37 pm
===ALL FOUR bands for $25.===

Yeah. Kinda like dollar specials at Long John Silver’s.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:38 pm
Loved 38 Special back in the day, but I care not to spend $25 to see jiggling man boobs.

Comment by Sgt Schultz Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:39 pm
Other events they should consider:

Mark Kirk fortune-telling/truth-improvement booth
Alexi Giannoulias’s disappearing bank vault
Free admission for Wisconsin and Indiana Democrats
Stand up comedy from Illinois Republicans
Pat Quinn reads the playwright to The Never Ending Story
Bill Brady puppy farm
Careen Gordon Job Fair
Arm Wrestling against Scott Lee Cohn

Comment by Davey Boy Smithe Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:41 pm
== jiggling man boobs ==

They are a country act they are planning to book next year.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:42 pm
I fully endorse Davey Boy’s Smith’s opinion …
“It’s gonna 1992 all over again.”

1992 was the year Gov. Edgar lopped two days off the State Fair.
Seems entirely justified with this line up.
Sorry Hammer.

And I like the Tubes as much as the next 40-something, but I saw them for free just a couple years ago at Decatur Celebration. Now I’m supposed to pay?

Comment by piling on Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:42 pm
== I like the Tubes as much as the next 40-something, but I saw them for free just a couple years ago at Decatur Celebration. Now I’m supposed to pay? ==

You are paying for the Loverboy, the Tubes are just a bonus.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:45 pm
Oh. OK. That makes sense now. Suprised the tickets aren’t higher. Personally, when it comes to has-been Canadian bands, I prefer Honeymoon Suite.

Comment by piling on Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:50 pm
Wait a second, OneMan, Loverboy played Decatur Celebration in 2002. So I saw them for free then, too. Don’t know how I forgot that show. Once again, now I’m supposed to pay?
Did Loverboy improve significantly since ‘02?

Comment by piling on Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:54 pm
== Did Loverboy improve significantly since ‘02? ==

Playing working for the weekend an extra 10,000 times will make any band better.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 1:59 pm
wouldnt it be stitch if Dunham did a Mapes puppet

Comment by railrat Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:04 pm
They couldn’t book an Elvis impersonator? (Do they think Rod’s trial will still be going on?)

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:11 pm
I hardly ever go to the Fair. It’s been years since I’ve been to a grandstand show. But, to see the Gatlin Brothers do “Midnight Choir” might be worth the trouble–you know, “4th Street and Broadway”, if you were ever there 25 years ago. If I don’t make it, Ill see you at Tootsie’s.

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:11 pm
I don’t think I’ll drive 400 miles round trip for that!

On second thought, for a bag of Made-Rite’s maybe.

Comment by You Can't Stop What's Coming Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:12 pm
Judy’s polka bit on GOP Day could be a grandstand act with this lineup.

Comment by piling on Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:14 pm
On 38 Special/Loverboy night, here’s the sentence that will send ‘em straight for the exits:

“And now something from our new album….”

Comment by Bill F. Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:17 pm
What happened to the days when the booked acts that were on the rise? Wallflowers, Goo Goo Dolls, Christina Aguilera. They had Garth Brooks. I guarantee you the fair vendors LOVED that guy.

Comment by Joe from Joliet Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:17 pm
Ah, a topic that drives me batty.

Once again, this is a very underwhelming lineup. I will admit that the country acts will draw large crowds. 3 Doors Down is a good get - but will they sell? They haven’t been too relevant in rock circles for a while, although they are releasing an album this summer. I don’t think it would be a stretch to bring in a rock act like Korn or Motley Crue, both of whom are on tour this summer. There are also bigger name country acts who could have been brought in (Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts) and even Katy Perry is on tour this summer. And as I’ve said before, bring in an all day festival like Warped Tour and allow concert-goers to roam the fairgrounds and spend their money at stands and shops. I suppose the folks at Ag were not pleased with the lack of return on Fergie’s concert. Hmmm.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:19 pm
Lady Antebellum’s a pretty big act. A little too much Top 40 in their country for me, but they’ll draw.

OneMan is cracking me up today.

Comment by Bill F. Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:19 pm
The “Million Dollar Quartet” was great with the Symphony last year.

Comment by Behind The Scenes Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:23 pm
It appears that Boyz II Men hosted a Love Cruse this year…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyz_II_Men

So once you jumped that shark, the state fair may not see that bad.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:29 pm
Larry Gatlin should be good for the GOPers.

“In France it was Joan of Arc; in the Crimea it was Florence Nightingale; in the deep south there was Rosa Parks; in India there was Mother Teresa and in Florida there was Katherine Harris.”

Larry Gatlin - At Florida Inaugural Ball, 2001

Comment by paddyrollingstone Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:35 pm
BTW, Rich, the State’s News Release you link to says Jeff Dunham won the 2007 America’s Got Talent. Actually, it was ventriloquist Jeff Fator who won AGT in 2007 and got a Las Vegas show out of it.

Comment by Behind The Scenes Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:36 pm
Looks like the battle of the racing flacks will again be the featured attraction along the Grandstand.

Hmmmm … how’d the 2010 race turn out?

https://capitolfax.com/2010/08/19/watch-the-big-race/

Comment by anon Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:41 pm
Lady Antebellum sold out last year, one of the few times that has happened. Unfortunatly the concert was rained out due to a freak and rather violent storm the eveniing of the concert. It was a great dissapointment to the 13,187 fans that bought a ticket.

That was the second largest draw next to Rascall Flatts in 2005 that drew 13,522.

I’m happy they are coming back and I don’t even like country music.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:43 pm
I don’t know enough about country to judge one way or the other (but I do think Trailer Choir has a great name).

But in terms of rock it seems they hired a slightly younger Dick Biondi to do the bookings.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 2:53 pm
Safe lineup. Beer tent acts might out do them. Dylan was great several years ago. Get the people who book the ‘back to the roots’ acts at the Hoogland and put on a festival with groups like ‘Southern Culture on the Skids’, Blasters, Justin Townes Earle.
‘

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 3:04 pm
alright, non-believers. Cut and paste

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5dtpw7zEm0

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 3:09 pm
Geez…I was once a big Tubes fan…back in about 1976.

Comment by Deep South Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 3:10 pm
It could be worse. Two words:

Sheila. Simon.

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 3:27 pm
BTW, I only posted that link for those among us, who like me, are imperfect and sinners. Those of you who are perfect will find no redeeming value in it.

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 3:32 pm
I think the “who won what when” debate with Jeff Dunham misses the point: the state fair’s leadoff show is a ventriloquist. A ventriloquist. In 2011. A decade in to the 21st Century. Unbelievable. What, were the Marx Brothers unavailable? Maybe instead of this lineup, they should just install a projector at the grandstand and they can charge a nickel to see some “talkies.”

Comment by Hawthorne Abendsen Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 4:04 pm
The cast actually isnt too bad if you like country music

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 4:36 pm
Hawthorne,

The ventriloquist is only a nod to the Madigan/Quinn relationship…

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 4:37 pm
==This is closer to a Decatur Celebration lineup than a State Fair lineup.==

I’m pretty sure THe Tubes and BoysIIMen were a Decatur Celebration a few years ago, so you’re not far off.

If they’re going to get a band from 20 years ago, why not Stone Temple Pilots? That concert in 94(?) was one of the best ever at the Grandstand, and they’re back together touring.

Comment by ANON Thursday, Apr 21, 11 @ 4:40 pm