Going to Kentucky State Fair? Concert lineup includes local music stars, old favorites

A true story from several summers ago at the Kentucky State Fair:

In the West Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center, the fair’s longtime Louisville home, one will find a series of makeshift quarters for the many visiting animal competitors collectively referenced as “livestock.” Their owners are usually seated nearby to guard and, quite often, comfort the critters in their charge.

One particular afternoon, while strolling through the West Wing, I came across a fearsomely proportioned bovine relaxed in his stall. To his left, a transistor radio was blaring the merry guitar charge of the Dire Straits’ classic “Sultans of Swing.” Apparently weary of the music, the animal’s owner/guardian reached over and switched the radio off. Motionless until this point, the cow quickly turned his (her?) head to stare at the silencer of the rock ‘n’ roll ambiance. The radio was then promptly returned to active service, picking back up with the song during its final chorus. The animal then shifted back to its original Sphinx-like posture. Order in this private bovine universe had been restored.

Don’t tell me music and the Kentucky State Fair aren’t connected.

So it shall be again beginning this week as the fair, traditionally one of the final festival-style gatherings of the summer, commences in Louisville. Live music will abound, but with the more modest profile the State Fair has maintained in recent years. Long gone are the ticketed concerts at Freedom Hall (now devoted to the World Championship Horse Show) and free outdoor performances at the original Cardinal Stadium (demolished in 2019.)

The prime focus of the State Fair’s live music line-up remains the Texas Roadhouse Concert Series, a series of free shows that offer the same multi-genre menu that was a fair fixture during Cardinal Stadium’s final years. That translates into one concert every night of the fair representing country, Christian, R&B, hip-hop, classic rock and vintage pop.

While the shows themselves are free, admission to the State Fair itself is still required. The stage area for the series is in Lot L of the Exposition Center beside Kentucky Kingdom and Broadbent Arena. Showtime for each performance is 8 p.m. Gates open at 6:30.

Here is the Texas Roadhouse Concert Series lineup for the 2023 Kentucky State Fair. We’re assuming, of course, the entries have been bovine approved.

Thursday, Aug. 17: Chris Janson/Alex Miller

Not surprisingly, country music kicks the series off with a visit by Missouri-born singer-songwriter Chris Janson, whose spring single “21 Forever” boasted all-star back-up from Dolly Parton and Slash. Lancaster native and former “American Idol” competitor Alex Miller, the first of four Kentucky-bred acts featured in the concert series, will open.

Friday, Aug. 18: Morris Day and the Time/Tag Team

Immortalized in celluloid as Prince’s onstage competition in “Purple Rain,” Morris Day enjoyed his own hitmaking run during the mid-to-late 1980s. But, for Day, the time to call it a day with The Time has come. Last year, he announced he would retire following his 2023 tour. Tag Team, the Atlanta hip-hop duo responsible for the monster 1993 hit “Whoomp! (There It Is)” opens.

Saturday, Aug. 19: Foghat/The Kentucky Headhunters

Known for the mid ’70s rock/boogie hits “Slow Ride” and “Fool for the City,” Foghat is today led by 77-year-old Roger Earl. The drummer is one of the three alumni members of British blues-rock mainstay Savoy Brown that formed Foghat in 1971. Also on the bill is the pride of Metcalfe County, the Grammy winning country-blues-rock troupe The Kentucky HeadHunters.

Sunday, Aug. 20: Oak Ridge Boys/T.G. Sheppard

No musical act has maintained a more extensive relationship with the fair than the Oak Ridge Boys. The alliance is now nearing the 50-year mark, although the Oaks, known for the early ’80s country pop hits “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue,” have roots that reach back to the gospel-based Oak Ridge Quartet in 1943. T.G. Sheppard, who reigned on country radio in the ’70s and ’80s, opens.

Monday, Aug. 21: Casting Crowns/Stephen McWhirter

A frequent visitor to Rupp Arena, having played there most recently in 2016, 2019 and 2022, Casting Crowns has been a leading voice of contemporary Christian rock and pop music since forming in the Daytona Beach region in 1999. Since then, the band took home the Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album thanks to 2005’s platinum-selling “Lifesong.”

Tuesday, Aug. 22: Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles/Little Anthony/Gary Puckett and the Union Gap/The Vogues/The Classics IV/The Cowsills

One of the summer’s most longstanding pop nostalgia rides remains the Happy Together Tour, named after the 1967 hit by host group The Turtles. The roster is responsible for such established ’60s radio gems as “Goin’ Out of My Head” (Little Anthony), “Lady Willpower” (Gary Puckett), “Five O’Clock World” (The Vogues), “Spooky” (The Classics IV) and “Hair” (The Cowsills.)

Wednesday, Aug. 23: Larry Fleet/Tyler Rich

White Bluff, Tenn., singer Larry Fleet brings the fair focus back to country music. Relatively new to headliner status, he has been opening shows this summer for Parker McCollum and Jon Pardi ahead of the September release of his third album, “Earned It.” Opening will be California country stylist Tyler Rich, who gained radio airplay with his 2018 single, “The Difference.”

Thursday, Aug. 24: Vince Neil/Autograph

For much of 2023, Vince Neil has been touring Latin America and Europe in his longtime role as lead singer for pop-metalheads Motley Crue. That might explain why solo gigs on smaller stages are billing him as Vince Neil, the Legendary Voice. Regardless, Neil will be waking up the neighbors (or at least the livestock) at the Fair with a realigned lineup of ’80s rockers Autograph.

Friday, Aug. 25: Eddie Montgomery/Lonestar

Like Neil’s title billing this summer, the Aug. 25 headliner is being officially promoted as Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry (duo partner Troy Gentry died in a 2017 helicopter crash.) Such specificity is hardly needed on home state turf where the singer and his famed family have long been country music royalty. Lonestar, whose hits include “Amazed,” opens.

Saturday, Aug. 26: Warren Zeiders/J.D. Shelburne

Concluding the fair’s country music domination – and the fair itself - will be Pennsylvania-born singer Warren Zeiders, who introduced himself nationally via tunes posted online during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That led to the Top 30 hit “Ride the Lightning.” Up first will be a set by the fair’s fourth and final Kentucky concert artist, Taylorsville singer J.D. Shelburne.

Kentucky State Fair

When: Aug. 17 through Aug. 27; gates open each day at 10 a.m.

Where: Kentucky Expo Center, 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville

Tickets: Admission, including parking, is $10 through ticketmaster.com

Online: kystatefair.org