whatever- tupac is dead http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000637/

Dylan wins Pulitzer.

Bobby Brown would be cool!

I can't believe there's no groundswell for Bob Dylan.

How about Tupac! I think he would be great for the fair...oh wait, he is otherwise tied up! How about a mullet band tribute! Who cares about the line-up. The bottom line is it will be packed regardless of who the act is!

My stand will be right next to the Canadian food stand.

Hey - and bring on that lard bowl, I'll take chocolate syrup with mine. Put it on a stick if possible - thanks

Get over it. Fairs and country go together. I don't think many "city" kids raise livestock and bring their families & friends to the fair, do they? .... PS, is Corbin Bleu "country" ? I don't consider a High School Musical star to be "country" - more "tween girl hype", wouldn't you say?

Rock County doesn't always have country all the time. They had N'Sync when they were popular and it was a pain in the butt to be backstage help for them. They wanted their own sound system put in and didn't want to use the one already in place, etc, etc.. The county just doesn't have the resources to deal with the security, space, and the extras that some of the big name entertainment would need. No matter what is on stage, the crowd will always fill the grandstands because it will appeal to enough people in the county (and surrounding counties).

That sounds good. And in addition to a deep fried lard bowl, I can't wait to purchase a $4 lemonaid flavored drink and a $6 cone of 5 cheese nuggets.

On request. And with those sprinkly things too.

Does that deep fried lard come with whipped cream?

Be sure to visit my food stand this year featuring:

Soup On A Stick

and

Deep Fried Lard

This can be compared to the smoking / non-smoking comments.
.

If the smoke bothers you, don't go.
.
If you don't like the music, don't go.
.
But then there will be the same self-righteous ones who will say it is their right to go to a bar without worrying about second-hand smoke, and go to a county 4-H Fair without worrying about music that doesn't intrude upon their musical sensibilities.
.
I can guess all the responses,and in fact have put all your names in a hermetically sealed mayonnaise jar and placed it under Funk and Wagnall's front porch to be opened at the appropriate time.

I think that the mainstage should present the "screemin Meemies", live and in person on stage.

THINK ABOUT IT- IF YOU WERE A PREFORMER WOULD U WANT TO PREFORM AT A PLACE LIKE JANESVILLE FOR THE PRICE THEY WILL GIVE U. I THINK I WOULD GO SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY WOULD PAY ME A BETTER PRICE. THAT IS WHY WE CAN'T GET GOOD PREFORMERS HERE.

"I suspect you are likable."

while not necessarily a statement of like mindedness, I suspect you are likable, gazettefan, as well. :) btw: I'm sorry about the ID typo (perhaps a Freudian slip of my own...hehe)

Maybe if they sold alcohol at the fair I would be able to drink myself to be able to listen to that music.

ms....sassy, it was just a joke, I was trying to lighten things up between us.

I suspect you are likable.

gazetteman, was that a Freudian slip? It was a rhetorical question, as I really am not that interested. I call them like I see them. Get over yourself. Your opinion is an OPINION. so is mine: take it or leave it...and this really has NOTHING to do with the Rock County 4-H Fair line-up, so I will forgive you for continuing the rant from another discussion/topic...

ms...sassy, get up to date: Freud has been exposed as a fraud.

yes, the brilliance in this discussion is...um...yeah, dull. Thanks, btw, for your ANALogy. It's freeing. Have a great day. Also, beware of the nightmares...you may end up in some ridiculous gazette report.

pizzaman, the fair is held during the hottest time of the year with an incredible concentration of animals and animal waste.

Ingesting large amounts of sweet, greasy food in all that stench should make anyone delirious and then wanting to run like hell after stumbling upon the bizarre collection of chickens and turkeys.

All this while hearing hillybillies caterwaul out loud about their personal problems as though they require the counseling services of ms....sassy is nightmarish!!!

I'd say: twenty minutes at the fair, tops!!!

How much "...a train ran over my dog after the wife left me for an outlaw..." can we stand?!!!

Like I said, We all should be proud we have BOTH kinds of music at our fair. . . . country and western!
Seriously, It doesnt take many bodies to fill the grandstands and to say that all other kinds of music are garbage, admits to the narrow mindedness of the fair board and others who follow that thinking. I have been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. FYI last time I took MY kids to the fair I spent a hundred dollars in a heart beat. . . . . overpriced, limited entertainment(for lack of a better term), and run by the music nazi's . .

ms sassy- do you watch REBA- tv show- it is fun
also should try
Still standing
King of Queens
Yes Dear-
all on same network- not sure about yes dear though

hannah and mrmeadec..... obviously you don't pay full attention to all of the big shows at Riverfest in Beloit. They have the same concerns as those putting together the 4h fair in Janesville. A lot of people like to see the older bands. However, they have done an excellent job of getting some of the newer upcoming names in the rock industry to the Riverfest stage. Band such as Saliva and Cold have recently played at Riverfest, and they are both big name Rock bands. The staff for Riverfest has done a heck of a job getting big name bands into town. Plus, it's for a reason that they get newer and older shows. They aren't just trying to get YOU there, but the different crowds that like the different music and ages. Obviously a great way to bring more money in to the festival to keep it going.

I understand Twang...I actually appreciate it in some musicians. Something about Randy Travis and Reba McIntire's vocals...seems to me like they are trying TOO hard to make sure we know they are country singers. Trust me, I got it. Like I said, I don't necessarily mind the music, I just would likely not be the one in the front row screaming because I am in their presence...no offense to anyone who "LOVES" either of them or their music; simply my humble opinion...

seabee- i agree back bar reopened awhile ago- my guess it is still YUK. history of crazy event happen in there. historic as in prob escaped from being raized unlike the Zoo

ms_sassy_wi, randy travis- i believe that anoying thing is TWANG- may be anoying to you but he has lots of fans and high rating and known for that in his voice- not picking on you just trying to explain the voice

MajorMojo- for those of you how only seem to respect and appreciate one type of music-- r&b,jazz and big band ARE NOT GARBAGE

Irish_Mafia78

local bands have been performing in a tent near the food area by stage- like rainbow bridge. that was nice your could hear people playing music during the day and not just during the shows.

if people want to hear some local variety bands you must go to rock around the block downtown mainstreet area blocked off. this year august 23 weekend

great explanation imgonetoolong. I dont mind the country pics It seems it has always been country stuff cause it is a country like fair. and they usually pic one sorta rock band

so true mrmeadec,

had enough of reo in the 80's thanks

mommyopes
must have been beer somebody brought to rock county 4h

never alcohol served there and never will be to honor some deceased guys wish. if they move it I bet there will be- unfortunattly more revenue for the fair. elkhorn has beer

I hope the city doesn't plan to raze Honest Abe's outhouse!!!

Calling the Back-Bar "Historic" is like calling Abe Lincoln's outhouse "historic". The only thing those two places have in common is what goes on inside. Definitly not historic.

Bob Dylan already looks like he's dead and stuffed. So we should get him here before he starts to fester.

For those that want to see live rock bands dont forget The Back Bar, an historic Music Venue right here in Janesville, still hosting live rock bands Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Here are two bands just about everyone likes:

JIMMY NEWQUIST & CAROLINE'S SPINE April 18th. 5pm all ages show and 9pm 21 and up show. $15 advance ticket.

ROCK COUNTY with Tommy Holland of Steppenwolf March 29th 9pm. 21 up only show. $5 at the door.

See www.thebackbar.com for complete band schedule.

Um, Corbin isn't country.

Makes me sick! All country again!!

It's because the closed minded, aged, greedy people who set it up only like country music. To heck with everyone else, I mean, all 70,000 people in Janesville listen to only country... Right??
Is Irish's Idea so hard to do? different style on different evenings? WOW! sounds like a lot of trouble huh.. And all rock bands cuss on stage anyway so we woulnt be able to bring our kids.
What a joke.

I wont go!
(thumbs down to 4H fair)

And Ronnie Milsap and Randy Travis aren't has-beens?

krj...that would mean actually leaving Rock County. Way to scary...

just another example of how some people just REFUSE to be satisfied. I wasn't necessarily saying "WOW!" when I read the line-up (I've seen Ronnie Milsap at the Rock County 4-H Fair before when I was a child with my family, Randy Travis' lyrics are very good, but something about his voice bothers me...), but I think that having anything different and "popular" and family friendly is a pretty steep challenge. Kudos to the Fair organizers to get a line-up such as this. I've been to fairs where the entertainment was listening to the moo of the cows, so if you don't like what's offered, don't go. That's a no-brainer.

all the rock bands at beloit river fest are has beens.

Just how will the county fair officials ever know if the supposed "complaining minority" is truly a minority, or not, if they don't take advantage of the opportunity to offer more entertainment variety so everyone has more reasons to enjoy the fair? Even an internal-fair-visitor survey wouldn't be valid about preferences given some people probably don't attend simply because the cost of entrance fees don't include the type of entertainment they would prefer.

irish mafia and the rest of the complaining minority, good luck getting music like R&B, jazz and big band. Nobody want's to listen to that garbage. They are trying to appeal to a majority of people. Why would they hire a jazz band and have about 23 people sitting there listening to them when they can fill the grandstand with people.

Bob Dylan will be here when he is dead and stuffed ... right next to the mummified baby in the sideshow. Talk about needing a wheelchair ramp. (LOL!)

Floyd at the Fair! Has a ring to it. hehe

So, I guess Pink Floyd won't make it again this year...darn...

mrmeadec, why would we need a bigger grounds for rock music? isnt Beloits Riverfest all rock for the most part? and that is WAY smaller than our grounds.

mommyopes, I am curious as to what county fair you are talking about? I have never heard of nor do I remember beer at our fair. As I remember the story it was one of Mr Craig's stipulations that no alchol(sp?) be allowed. But I could be wrong. And I also am in the under 60 crowd. Heck I'm in the under 50 crowd lol and I intend to be there with bells on to see Randy and Ronnie.

When are we going to get Bob Dylan here?

Cripes, all the "complaining minority" is asking for is variety!

Even I realize the fair can't book certain headliners due to financial and space constrictions. I'd love to see more up and coming groups come through. Bands that need the break of a bigger audience than their folks in the basement or a bar crowd. Even comedians would be a welcome change.

Why not country one night, rock one night, a local band another night, and on like that?
It could be a great.

The fair board could also poll the county every so often to see where our interests sit. I got a reply back from an email I sent to the fair board...more people should write and suggest things!

Dose the main stage have a ramp to the stage so that Randy and Ronnie can go up the ramp in a wheel chair. the only reason its mainly all country is if it was rock music they would need a bigger fair grounds.

Some years ago the Janesville Concert Association (now Janesville Presents) was also seeing every shrinking audiences and profits because they were afraid to do anything but the same type of music to the same audience year after year. Change, although sometimes hard and unnerving, often means growth. When they decided to add alternative entertainment, audiences again began to grow along with income. This is not an issue of only country vs. rock. How about some jazz, big band, blue grass, and, yes, even some up-beat contemporary classical? The options are unlimited and the cost of such entertainment is not always as lofty as some would believe. There's no reason the fair can't be fun AND educational at the same time!

imgonetoolong - Thanks for all the efforts. Try to ignore the complaining minority. Most of us realize you do a great job with the budget and circumstances you're given.

We live in "rock" county but its always country music lol

Unfortunately booking the entertainment for the fair takes a lot more than most people realize. It would be great if we could pull up to the drive thru and order Daughtry, Fergie,
Larry The Cable Guy,Sean Kingston, Flo Rida, The Plain White Tees and Rascal Flatts. Then pull up to the first window and pay for them, and then go to the last window and pick up the contracts.
It just does not work like that.

There are budgets involved, logistics involved, routing involved, as well as many other elements that come into play.

The majority of todays headline rock, pop, alternative artist want to only play the major venues that will hold 10,000--20,000 people. They carry 8-10 semi's full of equipment, require union stage hands, and travel in 8-10 buses as well. Logistically you cannot put a square peg in a round hole. This is what you would be trying to do if you booked an act like this at the fair. Has anyone ever been there when the entertainers semi has to back down the midway to the stage ?

No disrespect to local artist, but the people can see these bands year round at functions and events, clubs,etc. You need a name star on the stage to draw the people thru the gates.

Routing came into play this year, as the fair tried to get one of the hottest selling new artist out on tour today. Unfortunatley this artist was offered the opening spot on a major tour that would put her in front of 15,000 people each night for the entire year, and she took it. The routing for that tour went west at the time of the fair so the fair was unable to get a confirmation on this artist.

Budgets play a big roll in the entertainment booking as well.
When you go to a show at the fair, how much does it cost you ?.....Opposed to how much you pay to go to the Marcus Ampitheater, or the Bradley Center or Alpine Valley ?
The fairs, not only The Rock County Fair, but all fairs do their best to make the fair affordable so you can bring the entire family and not break the bank.
The cost of entertainers has gotten higher and higher each year. Reason being....supply and demand. More venues to play than there are entertainers to play them.

Some entertainers shows are not meant for fairs.
Their lyrical content and their stage performance is not geared to a family audience.
When the language starts flying from the stage and flies out of the speakers if goes all over the grounds as well as across the street and to many families who may have small children. This is another consideration that plays a part in booking entertainers for the fair.

This was not meant to be a crash course in entertainment 101,and it just touches on a small part, but maybe it will shed a little light on this issue that seems to have gotten blow way out of proportion.

I remember being a kid and there was beer at the fair. It was limited to one section only. They also had rock bands AND c&w performers in the same year. That would be the good old days. Oh wait, I'm under 60!!!!! It must be the older teens and 20yr olds posting. Besides, Corbin Bleu is hardly listening music for us old farts!!!!!!!!!(Sarcasm as I am not 60)

The fair has never been about main stage entertainment for us. We like the old-fashioned way folks just wander around in a stupefied sugar daze (at least that describes US), see people we haven't seen for a long time, spend some time on a truly old-fashioned midway ... Coney Island it ain't, but it's what we have, and we LIKE seeing the farm animals and the hand-crafts on display. It's just about the only real family entertainment left that doesn't require a joystick or two hundred bucks.
I would not like to see alcohol in the mix at the fair.
But I would like to see larger fairgrounds.
AFTER the real problems of this community are dealt with.

IF you do not like the music, then don't go to the show. It's actually that simple. Money talks and the money is in country music. They will pack the grandstands with this excellent type of entertainment.

YEEHAWW!!! WE'RE GONNA HAVE A HOOT-N-ANNIE! I would pay some real money to see Ted Nugent show up and slap any of these four idots off the stage.

WAY TO GO FAIR BOARD!!!!!! Once again there is a great line up of GREAT FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT!!!
For those of you who don't like country music oh well. You still have Beloit's Riverfest. Which I remind you, is all rock which I personally do not care for and you will not hear me complaining about it.

You'd think that the fair is about revenue. That being said, don't you think that they'd try to find someone under 60 or a group who would appeal to the younger croud. Hmmmm.

I know this is Southern Wisconsin, but were pretty far from Nashville.

Still. Not. Going.

This lineup leaves out a HUGE chunk of Janesville.