2008 Iowa State Fair: Grandstand Events Highlight the Fair

The 2008 Iowa State Fair held the motto "U Gotta Love It" to a new standard. After several years of all country acts the Grandstand finally came back to a mixture of rock, albeit classic rock, and country both old and new.

Headlining at the State Fair Grandstand were: Josh Turner, Rick Springfield, Night Ranger, Foreigner, Charlie Daniels Band, .38 Special, Tracy Lawrence, Blade Shelton, Everclear and Def Leopard. The Iowa State Fair will end Sunday, August 17th with the stage show of native son Garrison Keillor and the Prairie Home Companion.

Josh Turner and Special Guest Craig Morgan

Josh Turner was the first major act to descend on the State Fair Grandstand in 2008. Bringing back the old time sound of country music with his bass tones similar to that of a combination of Johnny Cash and Randy Traviss. Josh put on a great show for the country loving crowd performing all of his favorites and working the crowd with the charm of a schoolboy. His opening act, Craig Morgan, has been vaulted to country music fame releasing 10 top 40 singles in his short career. The odd thing about this show was the lack of cowboy hats, boots and all of the usual stereotypical country music memorabilia. While I'm not much of a 'new country' fan, Josh Turner was enjoyable even if a little boring.

Rick Springfield and Special Guest Patti Smyth and Scandal

Yes this is the same Rick Springfield of the '80s, most well known for the single Jessie's Girl. I had heard Springfield put on an excellent stage show, but was still apprehensive about the concert. What a show he put on. The country acts of the State Fair could have taken a class on how to work the audience from all of the rock acts. Rick Springfield did not stay on the stage for more than about fifteen minutes of the entire show, which was longer than his shirt stayed on. He was in the crowd with his guitar and the screaming girls throughout almost every song. It is amazing how much crowd involvement can help a show, not that Rick Springfield needed help. Cranking out every hit he made and a few covers to boot, the Grandstand was treated to: Don't Talk To Strangers, I've Done Everything For You, and of course Jessie's Girl.

Patti Smyth and Scandal got the crowd started with a fantastic set. Few were sure who this '80s pop group were when the show was announced, but that all changed when we heard: Good-bye To You and The Warrior.

Foreigner and Special Guest Night Ranger

Even the horrific show put forth by Night Ranger could not disappoint the fans that poured out to see Foreigner. The iconic bluesy rock band of the 70's and 80's brought the goods to the Iowa State Fair Grandstand event. The fact that there is only one original member (Mick Jones) of Foreigner still performing with the band had no ill effect on the crowd or the sound. The band now consists of Mick Jones, Jason Bonham, Kelly Hansen, Tom Gimbel, Jeff Pilson and Michael Bluestein. We heard most of the hits including: Hot Blooded, Cold As Ice and Feels Like the First Time.

Charlie Daniels Band and Special Guest .38 Special and Shooter Jennings

Don't let the odd combination of bands fool you, this was one of the most well rounded concerts of the 2008 Iowa State Fair. All three acts have a tight band and have been together for at least a decade or two. Shooter Jennings, son of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, started the show with the same rough country sounds that brought fame to his father. .38 Special continued with performances of their hit laden act from the 80's. Then the house was brought down by the Charlie Daniels Band. With every hard hitting country and fiddle song to their credit, this was the show that set the standard for country music at the Grandstand.

Blake Shelton and Special Guest Tracy Lawrence

There was some confusion for the audience at this show. Since Tracy Lawrence is the more established star in country music, the question was why is he the opening act. The fickle world of the music industry has him on a comeback tour and Blake Shelton is the rising new star. It was a mellow concert in comparison to the Charlie Daniels Band, but quite enjoyable with the audience slow dancing and at least one marriage proposal in the audience during the act.

Def Leopard and Special Guest Everclear

This was to be the 'big' show for the 2008 Grandstand and lived up to every bit of the hype. With over 11,000 tickets sold before the fair even started it was a sellout crowd that got a treat. With seven semi's of lights and speakers, watching the stage set up we knew we were in for a great night. Everclear came out and reminded the crowd of who they are with hits like: I Will Buy You A New Life and Wonderful. The entire fairgrounds was then thrilled by a Def Leopard show that left no one wanting. Performing every hard hitting rock tune we could endure, the mostly still intact band left it all on the stage. Even the kids working the concession areas rocked when the first notes of Pour Some Sugar On Me fired up. The encore of Let's Get Rocked closed the show to the background of the fireworks show. This will be a tough one to top next year.