For Immediate Release
March 24, 2010
Lori Chappell
515/262-3111 ext. 204

Three Decades of Grammy Winners to Perform at Iowa State Fair Grandstand

Grammy award winners Keith Urban, Sugarland, Sheryl Crow, Darius Rucker and Pat Benatar lead the star-studded headliners slated for the 2010 Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up presented by U.S. Cellular. Non Stop Fun is set August 12-22.

Country artists Keith Urban, a two-time Grammy winner in 2005 and 2007, and Sugarland, a first-time winner in 2008 for their smash-hit "Stay," are scheduled to perform Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 21, respectively. An elite songwriter, vocalist and virtuoso guitarist, Urban is a three-time CMA Male Vocalist of the Year with hit singles, "Kiss a Girl," "Sweet Thing," "Stupid Boy," and "Days Go By." Season 8 American Idol winner Kris Allen opens for Urban and Grammy-nominated Little Big Town precedes Sugarland.

Sheryl Crow has won nine Grammys during the 1990s and 2000s, lighting up the stage with hit songs such as "Strong Enough," "If It Makes You Happy," "Soak Up The Sun" and "The First Cut Is The Deepest." She'll bring her show to the Fair Sunday, August 22 with special guest Colbie Caillat.

Darius Rucker won two Grammys in 1995 as the lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish. Today, Rucker has found success in the county music charts with his #1 single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." Rucker brings his amazing sounds to the Grandstand stage Thursday, August 19 with special guest Candy Coburn.

Perennial rocker Pat Benatar won Grammys four consecutive years beginning in 1980 when she ruled the charts. Benatar, one of music's top-selling female artists with hit songs such as "Love Is a Battlefield," "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and "Heartbreaker," rocks the stage Tuesday, August 17 with REO Speedwagon. REO fueled its success in the 80s with huge hit singles in "Keep On Loving You" and "Take It On the Run."

Contemporary Christian icons MercyMe and Newsboys kick-off the Fair's Grandstand line-up Thursday, August 11. In addition to the many DOVE awards and music honors both bands have received, Newsboys has also received four Grammy nominations.

Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's brand of edgy humor has turned his Comedy Central show into an unprecedented entertainment phenomenon. He and his hilarious troupe of comedic sidekicks perform Sunday, August 15.

Rockers Shinedown return to the Fair on Saturday, August 14 with opener Chevelle to deliver hits like "Second Chance" and "If You Only Knew." The August 20 show will be announced soon.

Motor sports action kicks into high gear Monday, August 16 with the Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models. Tumultuous Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pulling roars into the Grandstand Wednesday, August 18. A demolition derby tears up the track for a morning session Saturday, August 21.

Tickets for all concert and track events will go on sale Saturday, April 24 at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. All concert events are reserved seating; track events are general admission. Beginning July 12, the Fair's Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to

4:30 p.m., Mondays - Fridays and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays for walk-up orders only (no mail, phone or fax orders). Convenience charges will apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include Fair admission.

A complete listing of event dates, times and ticket prices follows:

2010 Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up

presented by U.S. Cellular

Thursday, August 12: MercyMe and Newsboys, 8 p.m. $28

Friday, August 13: Keith Urban with special guest Kris Allen, 8 p.m., $47

Saturday, August 14: Shinedown with special guest Chevelle, 8 p.m., $28

Sunday, August 15: Jeff Dunham, 8 p.m., $37

Monday, August 16: Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models, 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps, 6:00 p.m. Races, $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Tuesday, August 17: Pat Benatar and REO Speedwagon, 8:00 p.m. $35

Wednesday, August 18: Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull, 2 p.m. $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Thursday, August 19: Darius Rucker with special guest Candy Coburn, 8 p.m., $30

Friday, August 20: To Be Announced

Saturday, August 21: Demolition Derby, 11:30 a.m., $12 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Saturday, August 21: Sugarland with special guest Little Big Town, 8 p.m., $42

Sunday, August 22: Sheryl Crow with special guest Colbie Caillat, 8 p.m. $35

"Non Stop Fun" in 2010 is set August 12-22. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

# # #