Rascal Flatts show caps week of music at Georgia National Fair in Perry
The country pop group Rascal Flatts will play at the Georgia National Fair on Saturday with a stop on its Riot Tour.
"Everybody is just really excited," said Stacy Campbell, director of marketing and media relations for the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. "You can turn on the radio at any point these days and hear them. It's just really exciting they'll be playing for us here at the fair."
The trio's latest album "Rewind," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, and they were nominated for the Country Music Association's Group of the Year, which airs on ABC on Nov. 4.
Perry was a late addition to Rascal Flatts' Riot Tour, and Flattheads, as their fans are sometimes known, were given exclusive early access to 200 pit-area tickets through the official fan club.
Rascal Flatts is the fair's sixth and final musical performance. Alabama was the opening headlining act, and four free bands took to the stage this year, up from two in 2013 and three in 2014. Free shows included '70s rock group Grand Funk Railroad, Southern rock bands the Charlie Daniels Band and the Marshall Tucker Band and R&B girl group En Vogue.
This year's music lineup was informed by feedback from the Agricenter's Facebook fans using a series of online polls.
"We tried to have a focus group mentality and really focus on what people really want to see at the fair, whether it be the free concerts or the ticketed events," Campbell said.
The spread was intended to reflect the diversity of the fair.
"There's something for everybody, all ages and types of music," Campbell said. "We try as best as we can to meet everybody's needs."
A last minute change occurred when Three Dog Night was replaced with Grand Funk Railroad for the Oct. 8 show after Three Dog Night co-founder and lead singer Cory Wells was told by physicians that he had to continue treatment for a nerve condition affecting his back.
"Thankfully we had options," Campbell said. "Grand Funk Railroad was a good fit: it's a similar genre, and a similar time period. People were really excited with the alternative that we were able to come up with."
Bringing in large bands to Reaves Arena is a massive undertaking. The arena is used for equestrian events throughout the year and tons of dirt must be removed and the floors pressure washed before the stage can be built and seats added to hold a total of 8,000 concert-goers.
Fair officials say they aim to set an attendance record of 500,000 this year, up from last year's 456,023, which was the fair's second highest.
"The music has been what most people have talked about this year," said Campbell. "The resounding message we keep getting is that this is the best lineup we've had so far."
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the 90-minute Rascal Flatts concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased online and will save attendees gate admission the day of the show.
Rascal Flatts
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17
Where: Reaves Arena, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, Perry
Cost: $50
Information: www.georgianationalfair.com/concerts; 478-987-3247
This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 7:29 PM with the headline "Rascal Flatts show caps week of music at Georgia National Fair in Perry ."