Grandstand shows may have big names, but check listings of other bands playing the Iowa State Fair.
ANDERSON ERICKSON DAIRY STAGE
The Nadas
7 and 9 p.m. Aug. 11-13
Local favorites the Nadas make their annual visit to the fair. In the last few years, the band has been experimenting with its recordings, including the one-song-a-month “Almanac” released last year and its new kids’ album, “Bright Eyed & Bushy Tailed.”
Martin Sexton
8 p.m. Aug. 14
Sexton is a New York singer-songwriter who has collaborated with Peter Frampton and John Mayer over the years. In 2010, Sexton released his ninth album, “Sugarcoating.”
Josh Kelley
8 p.m. Aug. 15
Kelley got his start as a pop singer, scoring hits with “Amazing” and “Only You.” The video for “Only You” featured Katherine Heigel, whom Kelley went on to marry. Earlier this year, Kelley released his first country album, “Georgia Clay.”
Sarah Darling
8 p.m. Aug. 16
Des Moines-born country singer Sarah Darling returns for the fair. Darling released her second album, “Angels & Devils,” this year, which included her take on U2’s “With or Without You.”
Ying Yang Twins
8 p.m. Aug. 17
Hip-hop has been a popular free-stage draw the last few years, and the Ying Yang Twins of Atlanta should continue that trend. The group’s songs, such as “Salt Shaker,” “Shake” and “Miss New Booty,” focus heavily on female derrieres.
Brother Trucker
7 and 9 p.m. Aug. 18
Local roots-rocker band Brother Trucker returns for two shows. The band’s 2009 release, “The Flyover,” told tales of Midwestern living inspired by frontman Andy Fleming’s experiences during the 2004 Iowa caucuses.
The Blue Band
7 and 9 p.m. Aug. 19-20
Iowa State Fair staple Bob Dorr returns with his band for an evening of Iowa blues. Iowa Public Radio fans will recognize Dorr’s voice from his radio shows “Backtracks” and “Blue Avenue.”
Here Come the Mummies
7:30 p.m. Aug. 21
This may be the oddest act, a huge band of musicians who perform funk and R&B while dressed as mummies.
ANNE AND BILL RILEY STAGE
Tonic Sol-Fa
7 and 9 p.m. Aug. 11-12
The Minneapolis a cappella quartet is known for holiday releases. For a summer show, the set includes cover songs that vary from “Eleanor Rigby” to the theme from “Scooby Doo.”
The Johnny Holm Band
7 and 9 p.m. Aug. 14
A Midwestern band that covers country and classic rock songs.
Allstar Weekend
8 p.m. Aug. 15
A young pop/rock band that rose to popularity last year, thanks to the Disney Channel. The group’s hits include “Dance Forever” and “Not Your Birthday.”
Tenth Avenue North
8 p.m. Aug. 21
The Florida Christian group scored a No. 1 hit last year with “You Are More.”
BUDWEISER STAGE
Jay and the Americans
8 p.m. Aug. 11-13
A New York oldies act whose ’60s hits include “Come a Little Bit Closer,” “Only in America” and “This Magic Moment.”
Confederate Railroad7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 14-15
An ’80s Southern rock group known for “Queen of Memphis,” “Jesus and Mama” and “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind.”
The Georgia Satellites
7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 16-17
Atlanta Southern rockers broke out with the 1986 hit “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.”
The Lovin’ Spoonful
7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 18-19
The New York oldies act is best known for the hits “Do You Believe in Magic,” “You Didn’t have to Be So Nice” and “Summer in the City.”
Paul Revereand the Raiders
8 p.m. Aug. 20-21
Closing out the Budweiser stage is the oldies act that gave the world the hits “Kicks” and “Indian Reservation.”
SUSAN KNAPP AMPHITHEATER
The Oak Ridge Boys
8 p.m. Aug. 11
The country/Southern gospel group has been around since the 1940s. The band’s popularity erupted in the 1980s with its rendition of “Elvira.”
Jason Brown
7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 12-13
The Pella native has shared the stage with Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and others. Brown’s Iowa State Fair shows are always a popular draw.
Jason Michael Carroll
8 p.m. Aug. 14
A Texan country singer who had Top 10 hits with “Alyssa Lies” and “Livin’ Our Love Song.” Carroll’s third album, “Numbers,” was released in July.
Hairball
7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 15-16
This ’80s impersonation band has long been one of the more popular free acts at the fair, and in recent years it has been drawing big crowds in Des Moines at other times. Costumes and makeup are used to recreate classic looks by Kiss, Alice Cooper, Twisted Sister and others.
The Band Perry
8 p.m. Aug. 17
The sibling band is fronted by singer Kimberly Perry. The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” was a No. 1 hit last year.
Stealing Angels
8 p.m. Aug. 18
The all-female country group will soon release its first album. The band’s singles “He Better Be Dead” and “Paper Heart” have gotten strong radio play.
Country Gold
6 and 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19
Four classic country musicians, Eddy Raven, T. Graham Brown, Jeannie Kendall and Leroy Van Dyke, play their biggest hits.
Blaine Larsen
8 p.m. Aug. 20
The rising country singer has written for George Strait and toured with Braid Paisley, Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts.
Lee Brice
7 p.m. Aug. 21
Brice’s “Love Like Crazy” is the longest charting song in the history of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Brice has co-written songs with Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks.
