COURTLAND
The Franklin-Southampton County Fair Board of Directors is pleased to announce the Main Stage Entertainment Line-up for the 35th annual event, which will be headlined on Saturday evening by country artist Rae Lynn.

On Thursday Aug. 13, The Chase will headline on the Main Stage following the talent show. The Chase equals pure rock and roll energy — it’s the only way to describe The Chase. A powerful and totally entertaining rock and roll unit, that is also known for having more fun than humanly possible. If the formula works, why mess with it?

Nearly 30 years ago, a few guys got together and formed The Chase. Coming from the eastern Kentucky town of Ashland, the band is another example of the extreme talent from that part of the country. The Chase has been a major part in the influence of young artists from the Ohio valley. The Chase plays a variety of music most bands would die for, from Queen and Bon Jovi, to the Beatles, Styx, The Stones and Journey. The Chase specializes in the fairs and festival circuit performing year around. Engagements include performances with Kansas, Billy Ray Cyrus, 60’s icons Herman’s Hermits, The Buckinghams and The Ventures. The band’s 2013 “Rockin’ the House Down Tour” included dates with rock legends Styx and Eddie Money.

Nashville headliners will start to roll in on Friday, Aug. 14. Jo Dee Messina will take the Main Stage on Friday night with “The Jody Pyles Band” opening. Debuting in 1996 with the hit single “Heads Carolina, Tales California,” Jo Dee Messina has charted nine number one singles, 16 Top 40 singles, and sold more than five million records worldwide.

Based out of Nashville, Tennessee, the Jody Pyles Band was formed in 2011. Jody Pyles was born in North Carolina and raised among the Blue Ridge Mountains, and that heritage is seen in his music. Being raised in everything from mournful mountain bluegrass to praise-filled Gospel to the kind of country music you hear at the local county fair, Jody grew up in a well-rounded musical background and it was the basis for his unique country flavor. Eventually Jody’s music meant so much to the people where he lived, they encouraged him to take it beyond the mountains where he grew up. A few years and thousands of miles later, The Jody Pyles Band has performed all across the U.S. and on three continents. Very simply put, living life has formed the character of Jody Pyles; each day making the man and songs that he sings. The Jody Pyles Band features deeply personal music which gives a voice to the common working man and woman, and the experiences they face each and every day.

On Saturday Aug. 15, Nashville recording artist Rae Lynn will perform with Southampton County’s own, “The Hickory Knoll Band” opening. With her empowering Top 20 hit, “God Made Girls,” Rae Lynn became the highest charting debut single by a solo female artist in 2014. The song skyrocketed to the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Country Songs chart and earned GOLD-certification by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000 copies in addition to the music video garnering over 10 million views. The vibrant 20-year-old was selected as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country and recently released “Me” E.P. Rae Lynn penned the collection of five tracks for The Valory Music Co. project, which climbed into the Top 5 on iTunes Top Country Albums chart on release day.

Rae Lynn embraces her Country roots with a flash of pizazz, commemorating her Grand Ole Opry debut with an “Op-Rae Selfie” from center stage. So far this year, she has toured on fellow Texan Miranda Lambert’s “Certified Platinum” tour and will hit the road with Rascal Flatts’ “Riot” tour 2015 this summer.

As always, four day Advanced Tickets for this year’s Fair will be offered for $20 at local retailers. More information on ticket sales will be available soon.