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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement April 29, 2006 [an error occurred while processing this directive] Fair to charge for concerts By JOHN DARLING for the Mail Tribune With country music legend Martina McBride topping the bill, the Jackson County Fair announced the lineup for the second season of its outdoor amphitheater. And for the first time, it will charge for lawn seating. The step is necessary to get a big-name act like McBride and to "step up the quality" of fair music offerings in this and coming years, said fair manager Chris Borovansky. McBride performs Tuesday, July 18, followed by country music performers Blake Shelton and Gary Allan on Wednesday, July 19; teen pop rockers and Disney recording stars Aly & AJ on Thursday, July 20; alternative rockers Smash Mouth on Friday, July 21; and country singer Neal McCoy on Saturday, July 22. Tickets for McBride are $55 reserved and $35 lawn and include fair entrance. The other concerts are $20 for reserved seats but lawn seating will be included in the $8 fair admission. Tickets are available at LithiaAmp.org. Charging for all seats at the McBride concert should not bring objections because of its "megastar" quality, said Borovansky, and "we'll still have great value with Shelton and Allan." "We've built a reputation over the years of putting on great performances, but Martina McBride allows us to take that big step where we're featuring world-class entertainment," he said. "She's certainly the biggest act we've ever had." As a country fan who "loves" McBride, Janet Wittmaack of Grants Pass said fairgoers may be surprised to hear of the first full-ticketed event, but, given the stellar status of the act, the great sound system and the under-the-stars atmosphere, "no, I don't think they will object. Britt Festivals charges for the grass and everyone pays without objection," she said. The fiery, passionate McBride went multi-platinum with the Grammy-winning "Independence Day" in 1994, as well as with "Wild Angels," "A Broken Wing" and "Blessed." She's considered a crossover, as shown by her Greatest Hits jumping to No. 5 on the pop charts in 2001. Shelton is known for the No. 1 hits "Austin" and "The Baby." Allan scored No. 1 with the single "Man to Man" and his "Tough All Over" is nominated Album of the Year. Neal McCoy has three platinum albums and was named Entertainer of the Year in 1998 and 1999 at the TNN-Music City News Country Awards. Borovansky called McCoy "one of the best entertainers out there "¦hardworking and nice as can be." County fairs usually lean heavily toward country music, but Borovansky said he's tracking the demographic that shows the big fans of music are getting younger — in the 14-to-21 age range. That means bringing in acts such as Aly and AJ, as well as the slightly older Smash Mouth, which hit No. 1 with "Walkin' on the Sun" in 1997. The group also recorded much of the "Shrek" soundtrack. Blond sisters Aly and AJ act in Disney productions and are best known for "Walking on Sunshine," sung in the movie "Herbie Fully Loaded." The fair also will feature bands and entertainment acts throughout the fairgrounds and on the Dinner Stage. Tickets to the fair are $8 for adults, $5 for youth 7 to 12 and seniors 62 and older. It's free for children 6 and under. John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected]. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy