Fair Lineup Features Mix Of Genres

The 2013 Umatilla County Fair entertainment lineup offers something for just about everyone – rock, funk, country and Latino music, all packed into one week.

The lineup includes Hoobastank, Travis Tritt, War, Lee Brice and Latino Night on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Fair week will culminate on Saturday, Aug. 10 when Hoobastank steps onto the Wildhorse Resort & Casino Stage at the Umatilla County Fairgrounds in Hermiston.

Since their first release in 1997, Hoobastank has sold more than 10 million records worldwide. The band formed in Agoura Hills, Calif., in 1994 and released three albums on minor record labels before their first major label release, 2001’s self-titled “Hoobastank,” which featured three charting singles. The album went platinum and was followed up with 2003’s “The Reason,” featuring the title-track single which went on to become their biggest-selling single, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 2004.

Hoobastank’s latest release, “Fight or Flight,” was released in September.

Two-time Grammy winner Travis Tritt will be the headliner on Friday, Aug. 9. Tritt has had five No. 1 singles including, “Help Me Hold On,” “Foolish Pride,” and “Best Intentions.” Between 1989 and 2007, Tritt has landed 38 of his songs on the Hot Country Songs charts.

The 50-year-old Tritt released his first album, “Country Club,” in 1990. His best-selling album was “Ten Feet Tall and Bulletproof,” which went double platinum in 1994. His most recent studio album, “The Storm,” released on the Category 5 Records label, came out in 2007 and reached No. 3 on the Billboard country charts.

War’s chart success dates back to 1970 with the release of “Spill the Wine” with former Animals lead singer, Eric Burdon. The California funk band enjoyed continued chart success even after Burdon left the band in 1971. Among their best-known songs include “Cisco Kid,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends” and “Low Rider,” a favorite that has been featured in numerous films, most famously, “Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke” in 1978.

The band has gone through multiple lineup changes over the years, but keyboardist and singer Lonnie Jordan is still fronting the band. Their most recent release is 2008’s “Greatest Hits Live,” released on the Rhino label.

War will perform at the fair on Thursday, Aug. 8.

Lee, who will kick off fair week on Tuesday, Aug. 6, broke onto the country music scene in 2007 with his debut

single, “She Ain’t Right,” on the Curb label. In 2010, Brice released is first studio album, “Love Like Crazy,” which peaked at No. 9 on the country charts. His second album, “Hard 2 Love,” reached No. 2 on the charts in 2010. The album featured his No. 1 hit single, “A Woman Like You.”

Brice, 32, was born in Sumpter, S.C., attended Clemson University on a football scholarship, but an injury helped turn his attention away from sports and into a career in music. That move paid off as Brice was nominated by the Country Music Awards for New Artist of the Year.

General seating for the concerts is free with cost of admission to the fair.

“We also offer a reserved seating option,” said Peggy Anderson, Umatilla County Fairgrounds manager. “Each night we will offer 400 reserved seats for sale. These tickets will be $10 each.

For more information, contact the Umatilla County Fair office at 567-6121 or by e-mail at fair@umatillacounty.net. The fair office is located at 515 West Orchard Ave.. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.