Trace Atkins

    By Russ Pankonin
    The Imperial Republican
    
     Start making plans for the 2005 Chase County Fair Aug. 14-21.
     Fair organizers this week announced another big lineup of grandstand entertainment for this year's fair.
     Both the Friday and Saturday night shows will follow a country theme after the success of last year's "Country Two-fer," Entertainment Chair Dan Kunnemann said.
     He feels this year will offer country fans two great nights of entertainment.
     On Friday, Aug. 19, Kunnemann said they have booked rising country stars Dierks Bentley and Trace Adkins.
     On Saturday, Aug. 20, Sawyer Brown will make their third appearance at the Chase County Fair.
     Kunnemann said the board is excited about both nights.
     Bentley and Adkins both have music climbing the country charts and should be a big draw.
     Kunnemann said they responded to numerous requests to bring back Sawyer Brown.
     Fueled by the energy of lead singer Mark Miller, Sawyer Brown puts on a stage show second to none.
     Plans for the week-long fair are beginning to take shape.
     Tickets sales will begin later this spring and an online ticket center will also be available once ticket sales begin.
    
    Dierks Bentley
     Bentley is making a name for himself on the country scene.
     The Phoenix, Ariz., native left for Nashville at the age of 19 and worked his way up, getting his first recording contract.
     He released "Don't Leave Me In Love," in 2001 and joined Capitol Records with his 2003 release, "Dierks Bentley."
     His latest single, "Lot of Leavin Left to Do," is climbing the country charts.
     Other hit singles include "What Was I Thinkin'?" and "My Last Name."
     He says the music of George Jones, Hank Williams, Jr., Frank Sinatra and Del McCoury has influenced his style of music.
    
    Trace Adkins
     Trace Adkins' latest single, "Songs About Me" is climbing the charts and was recently at 26 on the country charts.
     The single is the title track for his new album set for release in March.
     The new album will be the seventh of his career.
     His sixth album, "Comin' On Strong" debuted at No. 1 on the country album charts.
     He first began performing as a youngster in a gospel quartet while in high school in Louisiana.
     After working on an oil rig following college, he went to Nashville to embark on his musical career.
     His single, "No Thinkin' Thing," became his first No. 1 hit in 1997.
     He also produced Top 10 hits with "More" in 2000, "I'm Tryin'" in 2001 and "Chrome" in 2003.
     In 1996, he was named Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music and Male Star of Tomorrow by TNN/Music City News in 1998.
     His video of "Songs About Me" has been nominated for Best Video for a Male Artist in the 2005 CMT music awards.
    
    Sawyer Brown
     People keep coming back time and time again to see Sawyer Brown perform and Chase County is no different.
     This will mark their third appearance on the Chase County Fair stage, along with performances in 1992 and 1995.
     They've been called the Rolling Stones of country music, with more than 20 years of performing on stage.
     They have performed more than 3,000 (and counting) live performances, which have become legendary for their excitement, energy and emotion. They also have 19 albums to their credit.
     More than 20 songs have hit the Top 10 and they've earned numerous awards, including TNN's Vocal Band of the Year for six years running.
     The group originally formed in 1982 and got their first record contract with Curb Records, after taking the Star Search grand prize in 1984.
     Throughout the years, they still remain on the Curb label, which provides a testament to their staying power.