38 Special, Scotty McCreery headline fair concerts

Headliners for this year’s concert series at the Chase County Fair can be considered music idols in their own rights.
The classic rock concert Friday, Aug. 12, will feature a band long considered to be idols of southern rock—38 Special.
The country concert Saturday, Aug. 13, will feature another idol in his own right—Scotty McCreery, the winner of the 10th season of “American Idol.”
Fair Entertainment Chair Alex McNair said they are bringing the kind of rock and country music that people like to hear.
For 38 Special, this will mark their third appearance as headliners for the fair’s rock show, the first two coming in 2000 and 2009.
McNair said there’s no question about the legendary star power of 38 Special, who have released 15 albums dating back to 1976.
He said 38 Special drew a large crowd of fans at each appearance. So when the opportunity arose to bring the storied band back again, McNair said they didn’t hesitate.
 McCreery’s appearance will continue a long-standing tradition of bringing rising country stars to the CCF stage.
McNair said he has the kind of voice like a Jake Owen or Josh Turner, who were also big draws at the Chase County Fair.
McCreery rising on charts
McCreery’s on a hot streak again after his 2018 album produced three No. 1 singles.
On his fifth and latest album, “Same Truck,” the first single, “You Time,” hit No. 1 and the second single, “Damn Strait” is making its way up the charts.
If “Damn Strait,” a tribute to the singer George Strait, goes No. 1, it will be McCreery’s fifth No. 1 single.
McCreery co-wrote 10 of the 12 songs on “Same Truck.”
On his 2018 album, “Seasons Change,” he co-wrote all 11 of the songs, of which three singles hit the top of the charts: “Five More Minutes,” “This Is It” and “In Between.”
Rolling Stone named the album one of the 40 best country and Americana albums of 2018.
“Five More Minutes” inspired a holiday movie which aired on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel in November and December 2021.
Since winning “American Idol” in 2011, his other accolades include 2011 ACM New Artist of the Year; 2012 CMT Breakthrough Video of the Year; American Country Awards for 2011 New Artist of the Year; and 2013 Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
McCreery made history with his first album, “Clear As Day,” when it debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. He was the first country artist ever and the youngest male artist of any genre ever to debut their first album in that spot.
Ernest to open for McCreery
Opening for McCreery will be another rising singer and writer, Ernest.
 In 2020, Ernerst was a writer on five Top 10 songs, including chart-toppers for Morgan Wallen and Sam Hunt.
Ernest also contributed to 11 songs on Wallen’s “Dangerous: The Double Album,” which became the best-selling album of 2021.
This year, Ernest is breaking through with his own artistry, with a top 20 hit of his own, “Flower Shops,” which also features Wallen.
Ernest just released an album of the same name, “Flower Shops.” He wrote every song included on the 11-track album, which follows his 2019 release, “Locals Only.”
38 Special Is classic rock
Classic rock fans recognize the timeless hits from 38 Special just by hearing the opening chord.
Most associate the band with rock smashes, “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night” and “Back Where You Belong,” just to name a few.
Their many Gold and Platinum album awards, selling in excess of 20 million, stand in testament to the endurance of a legendary powerhouse.
After more than four decades, 38 Special continues to bring their signature songs to more than 100 cities a year. Audience members continue to be amazed by the explosive power of the band’s performance.
Guitarist/vocalist Don Barnes says it’s all about maintaining that intensity in their live shows.
“We never wanted to be one of those bands that had maybe gotten a little soft or complacent over the years,” he said.
“We’re a team, and it’s always been kind of an unspoken rule that we don’t slack up, we stack up. We go out there every night to win.”
Tickets on sale March 22
Tickets for both concerts will go on sale at the fair’s website, chasecountyfair.com with “Early Bird” specials beginning on Tuesday, March 22, at 9 a.m.