Back to the basics

Home - Uncategorized - Back to the basics

Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson headline a top concert lineup

LOVINGTON, N.M. – World-class talent makes its way to Lovington each August.

This year’s Lea County Fair and Rodeo concert lineup is proof, with top headliners Trace Atkins and Gretchen Wilson closing out this year’s exposition at the Lea County Fairgrounds in Lovington.

Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins

“We’ve been able to bring the planning and organizing for the fair and rodeo back in house, and it shows what we are capable of doing,” said Corey Helton, chairman of the Lea County Fair Board. “Jim Kemp has worked tirelessly on getting everything done appropriately, and his hard work has paid off.

“We have always had strong musical acts at our fair and rodeo, and it’s nice to see that after a couple of years struggling, we have returned to the top with this year’s lineup.”

Adkins, whose raspy bass-baritone voice is as recognizable as his 6-foot-6-inch frame and signature goatee, has had three No. 1 hits on the country charts, including “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.”

He will perform Friday, Aug 11, after the rodeo ends. Wilson will finish the nine-day fair and rodeo on Saturday, Aug. 12, bringing her “Rowdy” personality to Lea County.

Gretchen Wilson
Gretchen Wilson

Best known for her 2004 Grammy Award-winning single “Redneck Woman,” Wilson’s newly released album is called Ready to Get Rowdy, including the single “Rowdy.”

She has charted 13 singles on the country charts, five of which have reached inside the top 10; besides “Redneck Woman,” she also hit the charts with “Here for the Party,” “When I Think about Cheatin’,” “Homewrecker” and “All Jacked Up.”

The concerts kick off Friday, Aug. 4, with Hispanic Heritage Night at the fair and rodeo. The concerts will include Conjuncto Primavera and Virlan Garcia. Conjuncto Primavera was formed in the Mexican state of Chihuahua four decades ago and has been nominated for many Latin Grammy Awards. It was awarded the Latin Grammy award Best Norteno for its album Amor Amor.

Garcia specializes in Norteno, Corridos and bandas. He has had a huge hit with “Fuego Cruzado.”

After three days off, the concerts return with the Josh Abbott Band on Tuesday, Aug. 8, following the Lea County Xtreme Bulls. Known for its Texas Country genre, the band originated a decade ago in Lubbock, Texas. This region is nothing new to the group. The group performed in Lovington just four years ago, but this is where its roots lie.

Abbott founded the band in 2006 while attending Texas Tech University, and it was a hit in 2013. There’s no reason to expect anything different now.

Danny Gokey will perform on Faith and Family night on Aug. 9. He gained fame as he dealt the death of his wife just a month before performing on “American Idol.” He placed third on the show and has a powerful message to share through his music.

Cassadee Pope makes her Lea County Fair and Rodeo debut. Like Gokey, Pope gained fame through reality television, being part of the third season of “The Voice.”

“This is an exciting return to the type of concerts we want to share with the people here in Lea County,” Helton said. “I love that we have bands that have been a hit in the past returning, and I’m very excited we have both Trace Adkins and Gretchen Wilson performing this year.

“That says a lot about what we have to offer.”

Share:

Leave A Comment

Social

Latest News

Archives