Big E Entertainment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- West Springfield, Mass. -- July, 2008
BIG E 2008 ENTERTAINMENT
The 2008 entertainment line-up at The Big E features great shows from Country to Rock 'n Roll to Hip Hop at the 6,000-seat Comcast Arena Stage and the Court of Honor Stage, sponsored by Comcast.
ON THE COMCAST ARENA STAGE:
The Comcast Arena Stage is the site for the Fair's major concerts. With seating for 6,000, this venue provides a large open-air location for performances by top-name talent on weekends during the Fair.
Note: Ticketed concerts - Big E gate admission is included when you purchase tickets online before the show date. Tickets sold at The Big E Box Office on the day of show are for the concert only. Advance concert tickets may be purchased online at TheBigE.com or at The Big E Box Office, 413-205-5049.
NATASHA BEDINGFIELD
Friday, September 12 - 8 p.m. - $30 and $20
While garnering several Brit Award nominations in her native land, singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield "crossed the pond" and stole the hearts of Americans with her very personal, often autobiographical, lyrics. In 2007, this British fan favorite was nominated for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" at the 2007 GRAMMY Awards for the song "Unwritten." When asked what she wants people to get from her music, she says to "identify with it, be inspired by it, dance to it."
SUGARLAND
Saturday, September 27 -8 p.m. - $45 and $35
The award-winning, rockin' Country duo of Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles have taken the music industry by storm. Their Mercury Nashville debut, Twice the Speed of Life, was certified Double Platinum and in 2005, they received the Breakthrough Favorite New Artist award at the American Music Awards. They took home an Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award in 2006 for the Top New Duo/Vocal Group. In 2007, they won the Country Music Association's Vocal Duo of the Year honor. And at the 43rd ACM Awards, held in May of this year, they added two more honors to their list with awards for Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for their single, "Stay." Rissi Palmer will open the show.
AN EVENING WITH FERGIE
Sunday, September 28 - 7 p.m. - $55 and $45
Multi-platinum recording artist and Grammy Award-winning Pop and R&B singer, Fergie, began her rise to fame as vocalist for the Black Eyed Peas winning three GRAMMY Awards. In 2006, she began a solo career with the release of her first album, The Dutchess, which garnered several more awards for singles from the album. "Fergalicious" brought her a 2007 MuchMusic Video Award for Best International Video Artist and a 2007 MTV Australian Video Music Award. She was also recognized with a Teen Choice Award for Choice Female Artist, MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Artist, American Music Award for Best Pop/Rock Female Artist and Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica for Best New International Artist. This past year, ASCAP named "Big Girls Don't Cry" Song of the Year, continuing Fergie's winning streak.
Free concerts on the Comcast Arena Stage:
Brian Howe, Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. - The former Bad Company lead singer has long been regarded as having one of Rock's legendary voices. Along with the group's highly acclaimed 1993 live CD, What You Hear is What You Get - the Best of Bad Company - Live, Brian wrote and sold 19 million additional albums highlighted by such radio and video hits as "Holy Water," "If You Needed Somebody," "No Smoke without a Fire" and "How About That." Brian is back and ready to unleash his awesome vocals on his audiences and fans performing all of Bad Company's hit songs including such classics as "Can't Get Enough," "Bad Company," "Ready for Love" and many others.
Danity Kane, Sunday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. - R&B, hip-hop and pop girl group, Danity Kane, competed against hundreds of contestants to win on P. Diddy's MTV's reality series, "Making the Band." Now the show's five victors, Dawn, Aubrey, D. Woods (a Springfield, Mass., native), Shannon and Aundrea, are taking their musical partnership to the next level with the group's debut album for Diddy's label, Bad Boy Records. Talented in a wide array of fields including singing, dancing, songwriting and acting, this quintet will bring their flawless vocals to The Big E.
Ashley Gearing, Friday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. - Curb records recording artist, Ashley Gearing, is quickly establishing herself as a rising Country star. Currently working in the studio with famed music producer Byron Gallimore, she is readying herself for a new single, album and a very busy 2008. Her first hit, "Can You Hear Me When I Talk to You?" on Lyric Records, made history for Gearing who, at age 12, became the youngest entertainer ever to chart on Billboard's Hot Country Singles. She overtook a 46-year-old record set long ago by Brenda Lee. Savannah Jack opens the show at 7 p.m.
Jordin Sparks, Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. - The 2007 American Idol winner recently released her R&B CD titled Jordin Sparks with her kickoff single "Tattoo," which made it to the Top 10, and "No Air" (with Chris Brown) which hit #5 on the Billboard Top 100 hit singles. At age 17, she is the youngest winner in the history of the reality television show. Since her big win, she has made several appearances on television shows including The Today Show, The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Early Show and Larry King Live, performing her finale song "This Is My Now." She took part in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 and sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLII.
Jason Aldean, Sunday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. - Jason Aldean's career turned a corner when his "Hicktown" video hit the Top 10 in 2006. One year later, Aldean broke through a crowded field, capturing the Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Male Vocalist and earning a gold album just 12 weeks after his debut's release. With a powerful, dynamic voice, the Tennessee native calls his music "amped-up contemporary Country, with Southern rock and honky-tonk influences." LoCash Cowboys will open the show.
LeAnn Rimes, Friday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. Her first hit, "Blue," brought LeAnn Rimes screaming into the spotlight as a 13-year-old teenager and her incredible voice has kept her in the forefront of Country music. For the first time in her career, she wrote or co-wrote every song on her latest album, Family. She has won two GRAMMY Awards, including the first Best New Artist accolade ever won by a country artist. She has sold more than 37 million records, won an American Music Award, three Academy of Country Music honors, 12 Billboard Awards, and most recently the 2008 Country Music Television Collaborative Video of the Year Award for "Til We Ain't Strangers Anymore," with Jon Bon Jovi.
ON THE COURT OF THE HONOR STAGE - sponsored by Comcast
(In front of the Coliseum)
Malo, daily at noon and 6 p.m. - One of the most successful and enduring Latin Rock bands in the world, Malo's biggest hit, "Suavecito," reached #18 on the Billboard charts. With 10 albums to their credit, Malo has played all over the world with such greats as The Rolling Stones and Queen. They will rock the stage with some of the best sounds this genre has to offer.
Micky Dolenz, Sept. 12 - 14, 3 & 8 p.m. - As the singing drummer of The Monkees, Micky Dolenz was featured on lead vocals for the group's debut single, "Last Train to Clarksville," which rocketed to number one. Two days later, the television show debuted on NBC to great success. After selling more than 65 million records worldwide as the star of THE MONKEES TV show, he has continued to make his mark in other areas of the entertainment business, through his varied career as an actor, director, producer and performer.
A Taste of Honey, featuring Janice-Marie Johnson, Sept. 15-19, 3 & 8 p.m. - "Boogie Oogie Oogie" with the GRAMMY Award winning group, A Taste of Honey. Janice-Marie, founder of this internationally acclaimed Pop group, will have fairgoers dancing in the aisles.
JYPSI, Sept. 20 - 21, 3 & 8 p.m. - Attitude, fashion, and fun collide to present an explosion of the color and personal expression that is JYPSI. These four extraordinary siblings, ranging in age from 16 to 26, take their talents, combine them with individuality, and set it all to music - blending musical genres and personalities into a Country style all their own.
Tiffany, Sept. 22 - 26, 3 & 8 p.m. - 80s teen idol, Tiffany, scored a number one hit with her version of Tommy James & The Shondells' hit "I Think We're Alone Now" in 1987. She promoted her self-titled album, Tiffany, at shopping malls across America. She's toured Europe and performed in Las Vegas, and now, she'll wow audiences at The Big E.
Esteban, Sept. 27 - 28, 3 & 8 p.m. - New Age guitarist and Home Shopping Network guru, Esteban, will play his own compositions and perform the Spanish gypsy flamenco-style guitar using his amazing, self-taught technique. Best known for his "learn to play guitar" CDs sold on the Home Shopping Network, this classical guitarist is realizing his dream. He has topped the Billboard charts with many top New Age and Independent awards for his albums, videos and DVDs.
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDES:
Mariachi Azteca Del Sol, sponsored by Big Y World Class Market® daily at 11 a.m., 2 & 6:30 p.m. (no 11 a.m show on Sunday, Sept. 21) in the Storrowton Village Gazebo. Ten musicians led by Director and Musical Arranger Rueben M. Loya keep the art of Mariachi alive combining the familiar trumpet, violin and guitar with traditional Mexican instruments including the guitar-like vihuela and the guitarron, a large, six-string acoustic bass guitar. Enjoy this festive music as one the nation's premier Mariachi groups comes to The Big E.
The Dan Kane Youth Singers will perform on the New England Center stage Sept. 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 & 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Big E takes place Sept. 12 - 28, 2008 in West Springfield, Mass. For tickets and more information visit www.TheBigE.com or call The Big E Info Line at 413-205-5115.
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Editor's Note: All press releases and photos are available on TheBigE.com/media.