INDIANA STATE FAIR ADDS FINAL HEADLINER TO COMPLETE LINEUP

JUST ANNOUNCED:

FOR RELEASE: 7AM, Thursday, June 23^rd, 2022 

Contact: Anna Whelchel, Indiana State Fair Marketing Department  

Ph: (317) 927-7545 I AWhelchel@IndianaStateFair.com  

Indiana State Fair Adds Final Headliner to Complete Lineup

Schedule for the 2022 Hoosier Lottery Free Stage Concerts

2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees

PAT BENATAR & NEIL GIRALDO just added to stellar lineup

July 29-August 21, 2022

June 23, 2022, INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Today, the Indiana State Fair announced the addition of 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo as the final addition to its exceptional lineup that will take place on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage.  The 2022 Indiana State Fair will take place July 29 through August 21 (Fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

The lineup each year consists of some of music’s most legendary acts and this year is no exception. All shows at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are free with paid fair admission and seating is first-come, first-served. A limited number of premium section access tickets will also be made available at a later time. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise.

The 2022 Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at the Indiana State Fair schedule includes:

• Kansas – Friday, July 29 (opening day)
• Jesse McCartney – Saturday, July 30
• We The Kingdom – Sunday, July 31
• Chaka Khan – Wednesday, August 3
• Gone 2 Paradise (Tribute to Jimmy Buffett) – Thursday, August 4
• Travis Tritt – Friday, August 5
• The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Saturday, August 6
• Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo – Sunday, August 7
• Trace Adkins – Wednesday, August 10
• Too Fighters (A Tribute to Foo Fighters) – Thursday, August 11
• KC & The Sunshine Band – Friday, August 12
• El Dia de los Latinos en la Feria del Estado de Indiana presented by Radio Latina (Latino-Fest at the Indiana State Fair) – Saturday, August 13
• Zach Williams – Sunday, August 14
• Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Association, The Classics IV,  The Vogues, The Cowsills – Wednesday, August 17
• Small Town (A Tribute to John Mellencamp) – Thursday, August 18
• Carly Pearce – Friday, August 19
• Vixen & Autograph – Saturday, August 20

Gospel Music Day featuring Fred Hammond – Sunday, August 21

High Resolution Artist Images are Available by Request or By Visiting the State Fair Media Center Photo Gallery at www.IndianaStateFair.com.    

Sarah M. Taylor, executive director of the Hoosier Lottery, noted, “The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage has become a ‘winning ticket’ for all fairgoers. This week, the Hoosier Lottery is launching a Premium Concert Ticket Giveaway providing an opportunity for myLOTTERY members and music lovers to win the best seats to a summer concert of their choice.”

The 2022 Indiana State Fair is scheduled to open on Friday, July 29 and runs through August 21, when you can enjoy The Greatest 18 Days of Summer at this iconic Hoosier tradition. For more information, please visit www.indianastatefair.com or follow the Indiana State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The 2022 Indiana State Fair will be Fun at the Speed of Summer with the theme of Celebrating Indiana’s Automotive Excellence, presented by Tom Wood Automotive Group.

2022 Artist Bios 

KANSAS:

This classic rock band from Topeka, Kan., nearing five decades in the classic rock scene, has become one of the most influential rock bands to date. Kansas, composed of Phil Ehart, Billy Greer, Ronnie Platt, David Ragsdale, Tom Brislin, and Richard Williams, appeared on the Billboard charts for more than 200 weeks throughout the ‘70’s and ‘80’s and played sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. Their songs have appeared in many shows like “Supernatural,” “South Park,” “The Office,” and “The Simpsons;” and with films including “Old School,” “Anchorman,” and “Happy Gilmore.”

JESSE McCARTNEY:

Since the start of his career, New York-born and Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, artist, and actor Jesse McCartney has built a catalog of instantly recognizable anthems and captivated audiences on the road and on-screen. His first three albums — the Platinum Beautiful Soul [2004], Right Where You Want Me [2006], and Departure [2008] — consecutively bowed in the Top 15 of the Billboard Top 200 with the singles “Beautiful Soul” minted Gold and “Leavin'” certified Platinum. Plus, he collaborated with T-Pain on the cross-genre banger “Body Language.” A sought-after songwriter, he notably wrote the 4x-Platinum GRAMMY® Award-nominated “Bleeding Love” for Leona Lewis. In 2018, the one-off single “Better With You” racked up nearly 30 million cumulative streams and paved the way for his fifth offering. Simultaneously, his acting credits grew to include everything from Chernobyl Diaries and Fear The Walking Dead to Alvin and the Chipmunks, and even voicing the character Roxas/Ventus in gamer favorite Kingdom Hearts. In 2020, Jesse was revealed as the runner-up and popular fan favorite Turtle in the third season finale of Fox’s The Masked Singer. Now, he opens up more than ever on his fifth full-length album New Stage, due out later this year. His second single “Friends,” an homage to the people who became chosen family, followed the release of “Yours” in 2020, an introspective look at the different roles he’s played throughout his life. Then there’s “Kiss The World Goodbye,” the third release from the forthcoming album.

WE THE KINGDOM:

We The Kingdom is a multigenerational family of musicians, including producers and songwriters Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, NeedToBreathe, Bethel Music, Crowder), Scott Cash, Franni Rae Cash, Martin Cash and Andrew Bergthold. With a combination of four different decades, We The Kingdom’s music embraces worship, rock, country, folk and pop, providing a textured sonic background for vulnerable, gritty lyrics. The Georgia based band write songs about the full spectrum of human emotion, including the messy parts, as they aim to embrace brokenness, honesty, and the redemptive power of God’s love in their music.

CHAKA KHAN:

Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Activist – Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, with a rich musical legacy, the 10-time GRAMMY® Award-winner is looking forward to a celebration of a lifetime. A songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist, Chaka Khan has influenced generations of recording artists. She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical. Affectionately known around the world as Chaka, she is revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, classic and unmatched signature music style and ability. The late, great Miles Davis often said, “She [Chaka] sings like my horn.” And the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin says, “[Chaka] is a one- of- a -kind, premier vocalist.”

GONE 2 PARADISE:

Jimmy Buffett is internationally known for his fun & totally outrageous sold-out concerts worldwide. Gone 2 Paradise, featuring Frank Paul, continues the party, bringing the ultimate Jimmy Buffett experience alive throughout the year! Gone 2 Paradise, entertains all age groups including the faithful followers of Jimmy Buffett known as “Parrot Heads”.Gone 2 Paradise has been featured on WGN and NBC TV and some of the places they have played include Navy Pier, US Cellular Field, Hawthorne Race Track, Northerly Island, and The Chicago Yacht Club. With Frank Paul’s voice and the island dressed band performing hit songs that span Jimmy Buffett’s entire career.

TRAVIS TRITT:

Multi-platinum selling and award-winning artist Travis Tritt launched his career three decades ago. Though his career is lengthy, the Southern rock-influenced artist continues to stay true and relevant to country music fans across the globe. Tritt’s albums, seven of which are certified platinum or higher, have amassed more than 30 million in career album sales, two GRAMMY® Awards, four CMA Awards, an invitation to become a member of the world’s famous Grand Ole Opry and a devoted fan base that fills venues coast-to-coast. The Georgia native is dubbed one of “The Class of ‘89,” which included Country music superstars Garth Brooks, Clint Black and Alan Jackson, however, his limited to music as he has also appeared in numerous feature films and TV shows throughout his extraordinary career.

THE REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND:

Two time BMA nominee’s The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band are one of the greatest front-porch blues band in the world. This “Big Damn Band” Led by Reverend Peyton, considered the best finger picker playing today, has earned a reputation as both compelling performers and  persuasive evangelists for the rootsy, country blues styles that captured their imaginations early in their lives. Reverend Peyton started this band after moving to Mississippi to study under blues masters such as T-Model Ford, Robert Belfour and David “Honeyboy” Edwards. He has now led his band to a number one song on the Billboard and iTunes Blues Charts, “Dance Songs For Hard Times”, which has been critically acclaimed by Rolling Stone, Relix, Popmatters, Guitar World, American Songwriter, and more.

PAT BENATAR & NEIL GIRALDO:

Pat Benatar’s staggering vocals and take-no-prisoners attitude, along with Neil Giraldo’s trailblazing artistry as a guitarist, producer and songwriter forged the undeniable chemistry and unique sound that created some of rock’s most memorable hits including “We Belong,” “Invincible”, “Love Is A Battlefield,” “Promises In The Dark,” “We Live For Love,” “Heartbreaker” and “Hell Is For Children” Together they have created two multi-platinum, five platinum and three gold albums, as well as 19 Top 40 hits. They have sold over 30 million records worldwide and have won an unprecedented four consecutive GRAMMY® awards. Their rock and roll love affair has endured for more than three and a half decades. Pat and Neil continue to tour, selling out concerts everywhere. Their chemistry will undoubtedly be thrilling music fans forever. In 2022, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

TRACE ADKINS:

Trace Adkins is a Grammy award nominated, three-time CMA award winner that has sold more than eleven million albums and has charted more than 20 singles in his 25 year long career. This Nashville artist has worked with other big country artists like Luke Bryan to rap superstar Snoop Dogg in his career. Along with singing Trace has found his way into films and television shows getting roles as a tough-as-nails biker in “The Lincoln Lawyer” (starring Matthew McConaughey), a desperate father in “Deepwater Horizon” (starring Mark Wahlberg), a wise oracle of a tattoo artist in the family friendly film “Moms’ Night Out” (starring Patricia Heaton, Sean Astin, Sarah Drew), and as MercyMe’s actual manager in the box office hit “I Can Only Imagine.”

TOO FIGHTERS:

Too Fighters are a Foo Fighters tribute band, and Chicago’s answer to making a true Foo concert experience available to everyone. Their mission is to pack twenty plus years worth of Foo Fighters into one set, the best songs, moments, antics, history, stories and fun. The Too Fighters are committed to making this experience as close to a true Foo Fighters concert as possible, using no samples or past records is just one way they do this. Fan interaction, energy on stage, and true passion shown during the show gives the listener the closest Foo Fighters experience without truly being there.

KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND:

Features in over 200 motion picture films, Grammy awards, People’s Choice awards, four number one records in a row, and coined the “Founder of the Dance Revolution” all can be claimed by KC & the Sunshine Band. Hits like, “Give it up”, “That’s the way (I like it)”, and “(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty” have found their way into nearly every major sporting event, parade, wedding, and bar mitzvah of the last three decades. The fifteen man band took inspiration from the sunny days in Florida to get the very energetic and fun sound that continually influences artists to this day. KC & the Sunshine Band led by Harry Wayne Casey did not only spark a revolution in the 70s and 80s, but still has people of all ages now getting up out of their seats to boogie.

ZACH WILLIAMS:

GRAMMY® award winning Contemporary Christian artist Zach Williams aims to share his story of how he found his faith, with honesty and clarity into his troubled past. Zach is a Tennessee-based Christian singer that infuses outlaw country, the dirt-road grit of southern rock, and the contemporary roots music of alt-country into his sound to create a unique and special way to spread his passion for God, and share how he stays on the path of being Christian. He grew to popularity with his debut album “Chain Breaker,” winning GRAMMY® award Best Contemporary Christian album, as well as the GMA Dove Awards 2017 New Artist of the Year and 2018 Artist of the Year.

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR:

The Happy Together Tour consists of six bands: The Turtles, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Association, The Classics IV, The Vogues and The Cowsills. These bands that had their biggest hits in the 60’s and 70’s brought timeless sounds and songs like “Happy Together” by the Turtles, one of the most recognizable songs of that time period. These bands combined have multiple No. 1 hits with this tour starting in 1984. Since then the band has consistently knocked out 50 shows a year, making this tour an iconic homage to an era of music that has influenced many of today’s artists. The tour has consisted of several different bands and artists throughout the nearly 40 years it has been running, with the only constant band being The Turtles. This group’s members include: Howard Kaylan, Mark Volman, Al Nichol, Chuck Portz, and Don Murray. With the exception of Don, all original members are alive today, making this band’s live songs truly original.

SMALL TOWN:

Small Town is Chicagoland’s premier John Mellencamp Experience. This tribute band, composed 100% of Hoosier natives, has set out to bring the musical catalog of John Mellencamp to life on stage just as Mellencamp has done year after year, decade after decade.  Mellencamp is an Indiana native and legendary rock icon With over 25 Top 20 hit songs spanning 40 years. Small Town has recreated his high energy shows and the music that everyone knows and loves. Authenticity is key with Small Town, they do not sample any past records or have any pre-recorded tracks, everything you hear at the show is exactly what you would have heard at a real John Mellencamp show.

CARLY PEARCE:

Carly Pearce is a young country singer on the rise, releasing her first album in 2017. Her Platinum-certified No. 1 song “I Hope You’re Happy Now” with artist Lee Brice has earned CMA nominations for New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year, and won Musical Event of the Year. She has exploded in the country scene touring alongside Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts and Luke Bryan. The past two years this Kentucky native has won CMA awards for Female Vocalist of the Year in 2021 and Female Artist of the Year in 2022. She is now on her third studio album, “29: Written in Stone,” and has been nominated 22 times for numerous awards since these three albums have been released.

VIXEN & AUTOGRAPH

Vixen is an American rock band formed in Minnesota in 1980. During its most commercially successful period from 1987 to 1992, the band released their eponymous first album in 1988, and it reached No. 41 on the charts. Their second album Rev It Up was released in 1990, and reached No. 52 on the Billboard 200. Their third album Tangerine was released in 1998. Their fourth album Live & Learn was released in 2006. Autograph is an American glam metal band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1984, best known for their hair metal anthem “Turn Up the Radio”.

FRED HAMMOND:

Detroit-raised Fred Hammond is one of the most popular worship gospel singers to date. Getting his start in the 80s, Fred performed in gospel bands and groups until going solo in 1991. Since then, he has released a consistent string of gospel albums, “Verity,” “Pages of Life: Chapters I & II (1998),” “Free to Worship (2006),” and “God, Love & Romance (2012),” “United Tenors Project” (2013) and “I Will Trust” (2014), all reaching Billboard’s No. 1 Gospel Album spot within the first week of releasing. Fred returned to concerts in 2016 after a 17-year hiatus and has been touring ever since. He continues to collaborate and produce with multiple generations of gospel musicians including The Williams Brothers, Yolanda Adams, Israel & New breed, John Bush & Andy Kellman, and Rovi.

About the Hoosier Lottery:

For over 30 years, Hoosier Lottery distributions have benefited every county throughout Indiana. The Hoosier Lottery has contributed more than $6 billion to good causes, including $30 million to local police and firefighters’ pensions and $30 million to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund annually. The Hoosier Lottery has earned World Lottery Association Level 4 Certification through 2024 for achieving the highest level of responsible gaming. To learn more about the Hoosier Lottery, visit HoosierLottery.com/GivingBack and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Download Hoosier Lottery logos here.

The Great Indiana State Fair:

The Indiana State Fair is the state’s largest multi-day event celebrating the Hoosier spirit and agricultural heritage. These 18 days bring all communities together to celebrate all things Indiana and promote it to hundreds of thousands of people across the state, and beyond. Nationally recognized for offering great entertainment, showcasing youth and interactive agriculture educational programs, premiere facilities and a variety of unique, fun foods, the Indiana State Fair has been an annual attraction for generations of Hoosiers since 1852.

This year’s Indiana State Fair will take place July 29^th – August 21^st (closed Mondays & Tuesdays). For information, visit www.indianastatefair.com

Media Contacts:

For Indiana State Fair assets, images and general media coverage requests please contact:

pr@indianastatefair.com

Free Stage Performers Contact: Andy Wilson @Elevate, awilson@elevate-supportservices.com 

High Resolution Artist Images are Available by Request or By Visiting the Media Center Photo Gallery at www.IndianaStateFair.com.

All artists and times are subject to change without notice.