The 2023 Jackson County Fair will have a number of big artists playing at the Bi-Mart Amphitheater.
On Wednesday July 12th, multi-platinum selling artist, Flo Rida will entertain crowds.
Born Tramer Dillard on September 17, 1979, Flo Rida was raised by a single mother in Miami’s rough neighborhood in Carol City Florida. Music helped Flo Rida stay on the straight path. His father was a talented musician who encouraged his son to express himself through music. Growing up Flo Rida was exposed to all kinds of music, thanks in large part to his sisters, some of whom formed a local gospel group. When he was a teenager Flo Rida found local success rappng with a group called the Groundhoggz. At 18 he became the hype man for Fresh Kid Ice from 2 Live Crew. Eventually Flo Rida caught the attention of DeVante Swing, formerly of famed R&B group Jodeci and spent a few years in Los Angeles working with him. Unable to land a record deal, Flo Rida returned home to Miami and in late 2006 hooked up with Poe Boy Entertainment and its CEO, Elric “E-Class” Prince.
In December 20, 2006 Flo Rida inked a deal with Atlantic Records and started his own management company, Strong Arm with longtime friend and manager, Lee “Freezy” Prince. With the success of his management company Flo Rida and Lee “Freezy” Prince launched their own record label, IMG, in June 2011. With his musical success Flo Rida got back to his roots of giving back and started “Big Dreams For Kids” a nonprofit foundation that is committed to inspiring future leaders.
On Thursday, Granger Smith, featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. will bring new-school Country to the Valley.
Over the course of his groundbreaking career, Granger Smith has amassed a massive and rabid audience now known as “Yee Yee Nation” built through heavy touring and grassroots fan engagement. He now has a social media following exceeding 12 million along with more than one billion online video views. Smith broke onto the national scene with Remington, an album that garnered him the No. 1 smash “Backroad Song.” Smith was also awarded a BMI Country Award for writing, producing, publishing and performing “Backroad Song” and followed it with the Top Five hit “If The Boot Fits.” “Backroad Song” was one of the Top 10 Most Played Country singles of 2016 according to Mediabase and has been certified RIAA PLATINUM. His album When The Good Guys Win spawned the hit “Happens Like That” that has been certified RIAA GOLD. Not only has Granger stacked major accolades as an artist, but he also released his first-ever book If You’re City, If You’re Country, which immediately hit No. 1 on Amazon best-selling lists. Known as an artist but also for his alter ego, Earl Dibbles Jr., his family’s YouTube series “The Smiths” and his iconic outdoor apparel company, Yee Yee Apparel, Smith is a jack of all trades. Additionally, Granger and his wife Amber Smith started The River Kelly Fund to bring awareness and invest in children in need, arts and education, wildlife preservation, military, veteran and first responder assistance, donor affiliations, and many more organizations in honor of their son River Kelly Smith. Taking all of these experiences and channeling them into good, Smith released his 10th studio album called Country Things, which ultimately showcases the man, the father, the performer and bona fide artist Smith has become. Now, with over 1.3 billion on-demand streams, Granger just made his acting debut in the Pureflix film Moonrise, available to stream now, and includes music from his just-released new album of the same name.
Country legend Clint Black takes the stage on Friday, July 14th.
It has been three decades since the release of Clint Black’s groundbreaking debut album, Killin’ Time. The genre altering record cemented the Country music icon as one of the truest traditionalists in the game and his widespread influence can still be felt in the works of artists today. Now, the seemingly unstoppable legend is set to release his incredible 12th studio album, Out of Sane, dropping on June 19th. The record, self-produced by Black, not only stays true to sounds that birthed Country music but also progresses the genre to today’s sensibilities.
Having sold over 20 million records, earning 22 #1 career singles, nearly two dozen gold and platinum awards (U.S. and Canada), a Grammy Award, numerous CMA, ACM and American Music Awards, and being honored with at star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Clint Black has had one of the most storied careers in modern music. The Houston raised musician has certainly come a long way from the Texas nightclub circuit where he first began.
In his latest effort, Out of Sane, Black continues to hold firm in making great music that doesn’t fit a mold or conform to current popularity.
“I try to make records that don’t fit into a trend,” explains the Houston-born producer/guitarist. “I never wanted to start a trend, and I’m not going to chase a trend, either. To me, a great band will always sound great, today and in ten years. If you listen to this record, it’s not about fitting into today’s country, or yesterday’s country, or tomorrow’s country, it just is.”
The Grammy-winning Country superstar, understands that people consume music in the real world; but to create something that endures, a whole lot of lab time is required. Laughing, he explains the album’s title – a lyric from the road boogie “What I Knew Then” — comes from the dual states of mind that come into play with making records.
“I have a studio on my property, so I can walk out there and never finish working because I have this passion for it. But so many hours can drive me insane: I don’t sleep, I’m exhausted and completely consumed. It’s like a radio that clicks on in my sleep, to get up and get back to work. The music comes out of the sane part of me, and the record itself the insane…”
“Out of Sane is made up of all original songs, except for one cover. I recorded it with a varied collection of musicians; some from my band and some with session players. I believe it’s one of my best albums ever and I think my fans will love it. They’ve been asking for new music for a while and I’m thrilled to finally be able to deliver after five years since the last studio album,” says Black.
I am King will sunset the series with his electrifying tribute to the late Michael Jackson on July 15.
The Michael Jackson Experience is as close as you will get to seeing the King of Pop live in concert! Featuring Michael Jackson tribute artists who can sing LIVE while mastering the intense dancing that Jackson was so famous for, I AM KING takes the audience on a musical and visual journey into the world of the KING OF POP. The creators of I AM KING have put together an incredible cast of talented musicians and Broadway and Las Vegas dancers to bring Jackson to life in an explosion of unmatched energetic perfection. I AM KING features amazing renditions of Jackson’s biggest hits including “Bad”,”Billie Jean”, “Thriller”, “Man in the Mirror”, “Human Nature” and many more.
MICHAEL FIRESTONE as Michael Jackson “Firestone is a consummate performer.” — Agenda Mag, Las Vegas Having performed to millions of Michael Jackson fans worldwide, Michael Firestone has been hailed by fans and critics alike as the heir apparent to Michael Jackson in look, performance and authenticity. When it comes to Michael Jackson tribute artists, there are none quite like Michael Firestone. His ability to sing live while mastering the intense dancing that Michael Jackson was so famous for has made him the most sought after MJ tribute artist in the world. Michael Firestone was chosen as one of two official Michael Jackson impersonators for the Michael Jackson Laser Spectacular shows in theaters and casinos all over the USA and Canada including the Tacoma Dome. Most recently, Michael Firestone co-created and starred in MJ Live and numerous other Michael Jackson tribute shows that are still using his image/video to sell tickets. Prior to Michael Jackson’s untimely death, Firestone had performed as a Michael Jackson tribute artist in live shows such as ‘MTV Magic’ and ‘Around the World’ in Asia, ‘Legends in Concert’ in Myrtle Beach, ‘LaCage’ and
‘Masquerade’ in Atlantic City. Firestone also did guest appearances on ‘Larry the Cable Guy’s Christmas Spectacular’ and the Asian variety show ‘The Bon Show.’
Reserved seating ticket, VIP, fair admission, and more are on sale now. You can check out pricing and more here, LINK.
Source: The Expo
