May Fair Plans a Night of Blues Hits

By Brianna Boyd
Special to Dixon Patch

The 136^th annual Dixon May Fair will begin its concert series next month with a night of blues.

Officials announced earlier this week that Grammy award winning artist Jonny Lang and guest Robben Ford will entertain thousands on May 4, the opening day of the five-day fair.

Tickets went on sale Wednesday at the Dixon May Fair box office and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Reserved seats are $35 and $25, and general admission is $19. All prices include all-day admission to the May Fair.

“It’s going to be a great night of blues at the Dixon May Fair on our Grand Opening day,” said Jack Murphy, the CEO of the Dixon May Fair. “Lang travels all over the world. In the blues world, he is one of the best.”

Lang first started playing the guitar when he was 12 years old, after his father took him to see the Bad Medicine Blues Band, one of the few blues bands in Fargo, North Dakota. He began taking guitar lessons from a member of the band and a few months later, Lang joined the group, which was re-named Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang.

The band moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and released the album “Smokin’” when Lang was 14. The young performer was signed to A&M Records in 1996, and he released the multi-platinum album “Lie to Me” in 1997. He followed with “Wander This World” in 1998, which earned him a Grammy nomination. His newest album, the gospel-influenced “Turn Around” was released in 2006 and won Lang his first Grammy award.

In over a decade on the road, Lang has toured with the Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy, Aerosmith, B.B. King, Blues Traveler, Jeff Beck and Sting.

Robben Ford is one of the premier electric guitarists today. He is known not only for his blues playing, but also his ability to be comfortable in a variety of musical contexts. Ford is a five-time Grammy nominee, and has played with an array of talented artists, including Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Phil Lesh, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan.

Lang and Ford join a May Fair concert line-up that Murphy described as one of the best the fair has ever had. Tickets are still available for all concerts, through www.ticketmaster.com or at the Dixon May Fair office.

John Kay and Steppenwolf will rock the May Fair arena with special guest Eric Burdon and the Animals on May 5. Both bands have classic rock hits that date back to the 60’s and 70’s.  Reserved tickets are $35 and $25, and general admission tickets cost $19.

 Trace Adkins will headline a night filled with country favorites May 6 that will open with country legend Merle Haggard.  Adkins, long considered country music’s alpha male, has had over 20 of his songs on the Top 20 chart, while Haggard, one of the most famous country artists to emerge in the 1960’s, has 40 number one hits. Tickets are $45 reserved and $39 general admission.

Disney star and pop singer Selena Gomez and her band The Scene will headline a concert May 7 with guest Days Difference that is sure to have the crowd on its feet. Signed to Hollywood Records in 2009, Gomez released her debut album, "Kiss & Tell" with her band The Scene and it was certified Gold.  "Naturally", the second single off "Kiss & Tell" was later certified Platinum.  Tickets to this concert are $45 reserved and $39 general admission.

Murphy said there are also still plenty of tickets available for the Dixon May Fair’s Demolition Derby that will be on Mother’s Day May 8, the final day of the fair. Tickets are on sale for $22 and include all-day admission. Car registration is available at www.dixonmayfair.com

The May Fair office also has advanced discount carnival ride wristbands available for purchase. The wristbands, which will allow an individual to ride unlimited rides for the day, are on sale for $25. Most attractions at the May Fair cost three to five tickets per ride.

            Advanced admission tickets are also available for $7. Once the fair opens, admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children under 12, and $8 for seniors and military.  Advanced tickets will be available until 5 p.m. May 3.

            Exhibit guidebooks for the fair are now available online at www.dixonmayfair.com and in the May Fair office at 655 South First St. Every exhibitor is required to complete an entry form. There are an array of showcases at the May Fair, including interior living, fine arts, photography, floriculture, today’s youth, industrial education and Ag mechanics. There were 6,000 competitive exhibits submitted last year from Solano County residents, and officials expect that number to grow this year since entries can now be done online. All entries close Friday at 7 p.m.

            The May Fair is also accepting applications from people interested in being ticket sellers and cashiers during the five-day event. Applications can be turned in weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The only requirement is that each employee must be at least 18 years old.

            For more information on the 136^th annual Dixon May Fair, please visit www.dixonmayfair.com