Fremont band will rock out at the fair

A Fremont alternative country rock band will join the likes of The Charlie Daniels Band and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts as part of the Nebraska State Fair's entertainment lineup.

The Hard Times Band, a songwriters' band that plays only original music, will take the stage from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday at the fair's First Chance/Last Chance beer garden.

“I got an application from them in the mail, filled it out and sent it in,” said Travis Bennington, lead singer and guitar player for the band. “We wanted to play it last year, but the scheduling didn't work.”

Mary Ellis and Brooke Morehouse, both of Fremont, play bass and drums respectively, and Craig Kerns of Omaha rounds out the band on guitar.

Bennington said band members are anxious to build a fan base in Lincoln, a city they've never played in.

“We've played all over the area, just not in Lincoln,” he said. “This sort of thing, hopefully will get us a following there.”

The Hard Times Band plays frequently at Tin Lizzy's in Fremont and Fremont festivals, but also travels around the state to small towns while also hitting Omaha and Council Bluffs clubs. Bennington said the band is excited to play at the state fair beer garden because he feels it will be a good atmosphere to reach new fans.

“It seems anywhere there's beer, people like to hear bands,” he said. “(Playing) outside is a lot more fun. You don't have feedback problems and sound bouncing back at you.”

Julie Burton, entertainment director for the state fair, said it's a priority for her to book Nebraska talent for the event.

“I want people from around the whole state,” she said. “The fair is about showcasing Nebraska. We hope to expand on showcasing Nebraska entertainment.”

A $6 adult admission to the fair also will get you in to see not only the Hard Times Band, but all of the entertainment available. That admission price even includes admission to the Open Air Auditorium Concert series featuring Joe Diffie with Ray Scott on Monday; Joan Jett and The Blackhearts on Tuesday; Jars of Clay on Wednesday; The New Cars featuring Todd Rundgren replacing Rick Ocasek on vocals on Thursday and The Charlie Daniels Band on Labor Day.

She said fairgoers used to have to pay additional to see the national acts and they played at the Devaney Center, but after experimenting with including the entertainment with the gate price in 2003 a decision was made.

“It was so popular, we went to all free shows,” Burton said. “Some of the dilemma with the Devaney was that people didn't see it as part of the fair and would leave after the concert. Coming into the open air, you can enjoy all of the fair.”

That includes quite a bit of entertainment booking.

“We're an 11-day fair and I book six stages for 11 days,” Burton said. “There's pretty much something going on at all of the stages on all of the days.”

She said she started working on this year's fair lineup as soon as last year's fair was complete and then attended a special expo.

“In November I go to the International Association of Fairs (conference) in Las Vegas,” Burton said. “That's where we get a lot of our entertainment. It takes all year to plan the fair.”

Getting to see bands and other performers “showcase” their talent for 20-30 minutes helps with booking decision making.

“A lot of times it's who's out there and who's touring,” Burton said. “I do research, get radio station recommendations and I welcome people contacting me about performing at the fair.”

She also researches what people in Nebraska enjoy and tries to provide it.

“The fair has typically in past years been all country,” she said. “We're excited to get into more classic rock and Christian music.”

The open air auditorium seats 2,500 people and with people standing can hold up to 6,300 people for the national acts.

“There's not really a bad seat in the house,” Burton said.

In all, she has booked more than 100 entertainment acts for this year's state fair. Those include strolling entertainers, mobile tours from companies and acts for kids like Kachunga and the Alligator, who returns this year.

“The scheduling is the toughest part - you have four bands that want the same night,” Burton said. “Your biggest goal is to be able to have a person come and look at the schedule and see everything they want to see.”