FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, JULY 6, 2009

2009 N.C. State Fair concert lineup features N.C. talent, contemporary Christian acts and Motown legends

RALEIGH — Three homegrown talents will return to North Carolina to take the stage during the 2009 State Fair. They are part of 11 nights of entertainment featuring contemporary Christian, country and R&B concerts in Dorton Arena.

Youngsville native Jason Michael Carroll kicks off the concert series on Thursday, Oct. 15, and will perform songs from his newest studio release, “Growing Up is Getting Old,” along with his chart-topping hits “Livin’ our Love Song” and “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead.”

Albemarle native Kellie Pickler will bring her Southern charm to the stage Saturday, Oct. 17, performing songs off her self-titled sophomore album. The top-10 finalist from Season 5 of “American Idol” has recorded a string of hits including “Red High Heels,” “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” and “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind.”

Singer-songwriter Eric Church will wrap up the 2009 N.C. State Fair Sunday, Oct. 25. The Granite Falls native will perform hits from his “Sinners Like Me” debut album and his sophomore effort, “Carolina.” Church’s down-home sensibilities shine on hits such as “How ’Bout You” and “Guys Like Me.”

Award-winning Christian rock group Third Day will present songs from their latest album, “Revelation,” on Friday, Oct. 16.

Nat and Alex Wolff, best known as the siblings from Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band perform Sunday, Oct. 18.

Rising star Jamey Johnson takes the stage on Monday, Oct. 19, playing hits such as the 2008 Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year “In Color.” Johnson has struck gold as a songwriter, penning or co-writing hits for George Strait and Trace Adkins, among others.

Motown legends The Temptations featuring Dennis Edwards will perform Tuesday, Oct. 20, and will sing such classics as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”

Singer, actress and “Dancing with the Stars” champion Julianne Hough takes the stage Wednesday, Oct. 21, with tracks from her self-titled album, including the hit single, “That Song in My Head.”

Dove Award-winning Christian singer Jeremy Camp and Christian group Tenth Avenue North will appear in concert together on Friday, Oct. 23.

Country-music star Blake Shelton’s baritone voice will fill the arena as he performs hits such as “Austin,” “Home,” “The More I Drink” and “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” Saturday, Oct. 24.

The artist for Thursday, Oct. 22, will be announced later.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $5 to $15 and can be purchased online only at www.ncstatefair.org beginning Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. Any concert tickets remaining after the start of the Fair can be purchased at the Dorton Arena Box Office.

-pmj-2