SEDALIA — Having been named to nearly every “Artist to Watch” list, being crowned Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2021,” and earning CMT’s 2022 “Breakout Artist of the Year” honor, Louisiana native Lainey Wilson is one of Nashville’s hottest and most buzzed-about new artists. Landing her first No. 1 with her PLATINUM Certified ACM Song of the Year “Things A Man Oughta Know,” nearly 10 years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams, she has won over legions of fans with her signature Bell Bottom Country sound and aesthetic, which blends traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare.
A prolific and sought-after songwriter (having co-writer credits on songs by artists including Luke Combs, Flatland Calvary and more), Lainey is a fresh, fierce voice in Nashville, delivering CMA nominated album of the year with her label debut, Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’. With a rockstar stage presence, her artistry has taken her across the globe, performing for sold-out crowds throughout the US, UK, and Germany with notable names like Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Ashley McBryde, and more. After topping the country radio charts for a second time with the two-week No. 1 hit, “Never Say Never” with Cole Swindell, her current single “Heart Like a Truck” is Top 5 and climbing, while HARDY collaboration “wait in the truck” sits just behind in the Top 10.
Her critically acclaimed album, “Bell Bottom Country,” reached No. 9 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart, quickly rose to No. 1 on iTunes charts, and has amassed over 161 million streams to date. Most recently, she made her acting debut in Season 5 of the smash hit series “Yellowstone” and was named “Tractor Supply Brand Ambassador,” adding to her growing list of endeavors.
Jackson Dean is quickly earning a reputation for his old school, gritty, lyric-driven, outlaw style of Country. Mature beyond his years, Jackson opted to move out to a cinderblock, concrete floor, one-room shack on the back of his grandfather’s property with no heat and no plumbing at just 18 years old.
An adventurous and carefree spirit, the 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist, is also an old soul and skilled artisan whose pastimes include making leather goods, wood-burned art and disappearing into the woods to sleep under the stars. Bringing that same sense of adventure and downhome vibe to his songwriting, the “modern-day Country rambler” (Taste of Country) burst on the scene, showing people how real music can be with his atmospheric, musically-forward debut album GREENBROKE (out now via Big Machine Records).
The Maryland native’s single, “Don’t Come Lookin’” was the fastest debut to reach No. 1 in 2022 and cemented Jackson as the youngest solo male Country artist to reach the top of the charts with a debut. Landing spots on the Billboard Hot 100, the soundtrack for Netflix’s The Ice Road and a John Dutton scene in Yellowstone, the song 80 million streams.
Following an early career of local performances in his hometown, Jackson has joined bills with superstar acts like Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brantley Gilbert, Kane Brown, Jake Owen, Brooks & Dunn, Lee Brice and Brothers Osborne and found himself on the bill for credible events like Austin City Limits and Stagecoach. The young talent will wrap up 2022 by joining HARDY on the Wall-to-Wall Tour before hitting the road in 2023 with Blake Shelton and Carly Pearce for the Back to the Honky Tonk Tour at the top of the year.
This show joins previously announced opening night, Thursday, Aug. 10 show Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line with Parmalee, and Wednesday, Aug. 16 show Cory Asbury and CAIN.
Tickets to all State Fair Grandstand concerts will go on sale to the public starting at 9 am, June 27 through Etix. More information about State Fair concerts can be found on the Fair’s website.
The 121st Missouri State Fair, themed “Where Traditions Grow” is Aug. 10-20, 2023, in Sedalia.