A diverse musical lineup highlights this year's fair

This year the Coastal Carolina Fair features a lineup of big-name country acts and well-known R&B veterans.

All entertainment is free with the purchase of a gate ticket.

Regular price tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12, and free for kids aged 5 and under. See today's Preview cover story for more Coastal Carolina Fair information, a compete event calendar on page XXE.

Look for daily Coastal Carolina Fair calendars in The Post and Courier. A complete version of the fair's calendar will be posted online at www.charleston.net.

Joe Nichols

In just a few years and in the span of three album releases, fans have watched Joe Nichols grow from just a boy from Arkansas into a richly successful recording artist.

Shortly after the release of Nichols' first album "Man With A Memory," his father passed away just before Nichols was to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

Rather than canceling, the entire family drove to Nashville to witness Nichols perform Merle Haggard's "Footlights" as a tribute to his father.

Since the singer's personal tragedy, Nichols has recorded and released two more albums of more personal effect: "Revelation" and "III."

Concert-goers can enjoy hits such as "Brokenheartsville" and "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off." Nichols will perform today on the Lakefront Stage at 7:30 p.m.

Provided

North Carolina native and 'American Idol' star Kellie Pickler will play the fair Friday night.

Kellie Pickler

Best known for her country twang and lovable attitude on the fifth season of "American Idol," Kellie Pickler will be a newcomer to the Coastal Carolina Fair this year.

While on "Idol," Pickler shared her personal journey from living with an abusive father to finding refuge with her grandparents who encouraged her to believe in herself.

After her experience on "American Idol," Pickler went to Nashville to sign her first record deal with BNA label head Joe Galante. The young starlet began touring and recording, and she hasn't looked back since.

"What I've learned the last year is that no dream is too big. You can let things bring you down or you can use them to make you stronger," she said. "I used everything that happened to me as fuel to get me where I am today. You can't give up on your dreams 'cause sometimes, that's all you have."

Pickler will perform Friday at 9 p.m. on the Lakefront Stage.

B.J. Thomas and Billy Joe Royal

B.J. Thomas and Billy Joe Royal have spanned three decades with their country, Motown and subsequent pop crossover songs, including their best-known, "You've Lost That Loving Feeling."

A Houston native, Thomas got his start as lead singer for a six-piece rock-'n'-roll band called The Triumphs. After emulating Hank Williams' hit "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," Thomas gained fame when Houston DJ's aired the song and made it a regional hit.

Shortly thereafter, he recorded "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," which became one of his best-known hits.

Billy Joe Royal gained celebrity status with the song "Down in the Boondocks." He then began a three-month tour with "Dick Clark's Cavalcade of Stars," which brought his R&B bravado into the limelight. Royal is best known for "I Knew You When" and "Cherry Hill Park."

Thomas and Royal will perform together Saturday on the Lakefront Stage at 8:30 p.m.

Jamie O'Neal

Jamie O'Neal grew up performing with her family and living on the road.

"I'm kind of a restless spirit," the singer admits. "Even now, living in Nashville ... is fantastic, but I also think, 'I'd love to go live in Colorado or Montana or somewhere, experience that.' I'm always thinking of the next place or experience."

O'Neal hit recording gold with the release of her first album Shiver in 2000. "There is No Arizona," and "When I Think About Angels" brought Grammy nominations for the singer and tours with the likes of Reba McEntire, Martina McBride and Kenny Chesney.

O'Neal took a break to become a mom and focus on her songwriting. After a brief hiatus, she followed her debut with an impressive sophomore album "Brave," which was recorded in her home studio with producer Keith Stegall and husband Rodney Good.

O'Neal will perform Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on the Lakefront Stage.

Marshall Tucker

Good ol' Southern rock band, The Marshall Tucker Band, sprung straight from Spartanburg in the early '70s.

They toured with the Allman Brothers, then began to headline their own shows due to the platinum status of their self-titled debut album.

"The buying public never really cared whether we were country or rock 'n' roll," said original band member Doug Gray. "They called us a Southern rock band, but we have always played everything from country to blues and all things in-between. We're still playing all of the classic songs, but we are moving ahead into other styles as well. We're also playing for a younger audience than we have in the past, perhaps to the kids of the fans we played in front of in the 70s and 80s."

The Marshall Tucker Band will perform Monday at 9 p.m. on the Lakefront Stage.

James Gregory

Comedian James Gregory is back again for another year of laughs at the Coastal Carolina Fair. Gregory's comedy is strictly based on his own quirks and experiences growing up in the South. He tours 48 weeks a year and can often be heard of radio shows like "John Boy and Billy," and "Bob and Tom."

"I have lived long enough to know people, know life," said the comedian. "My comedy is based on my experience. I want to make the whole country laugh."

Gregory will perform on Tuesday, Oct. 30, on the Lakefront Stage at 9 p.m.

Provided

Percy Sledge will play Wednesday night at the fair.

Percy Sledge

A soul legend in his own right, Percy Sledge is best known for his 1966 signature hit, "When A Man Loves a Woman." The song brought about the first gold album released by Atlantic Records, and Sledge earned himself the nickname "The Golden Voice of Soul."

Through his career, Sledge has earned five gold albums and two platinum. In addition, the soul crooner earned one of the first ever Career Achievement Awards from the R&B Foundation, and he also was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Sledge will perform on Halloween (Wednesday) on the Lakefront Stage at 7:30 p.m.

Provided

Tracy Lawrence plays the Lakefront Stage at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1.

Tracy Lawrence

Country rock veteran Tracy Lawrence will showcase his unique voice this year at the fair. Since 1991, Lawrence has brought hit after hit to the country music market. In addition, he has produced and co-written a number of projects for himself and others, including "If the World Had a Front Porch" and "Can't Break It To My Heart."

Even with his fame, he is active in a number of charitable organizations that raise money for Alzheimer's, Cystic Fibrosis and children's causes.

"People have a duty to help each other out," said Lawrence. "I'm happy I can give something back to society through my efforts to raise funds and awareness for these important causes."

Lawrence will perform Thursday, Nov. 1, on the Lakefront Stage at 7:30 p.m.

Chairmen of Board

Since the 1960s, the Chairmen of the Board have withstood the test of time over three decades. The group earned fame with its first release "Give Me Just a Little More Time" in 1970. Subsequently, the band released more hits, including "Dangling on a String" and "Pay to the Piper."

The group disbanded in 1975 because of financial difficulties but regrouped in 1978. Vocalist General Johnson formed SurfSide Records in 1979, and the group has kept their original R&B vibe ever since.

The Chairmen of the Board will perform Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. on the Lakefront Stage.

Emerson Drive

Talented Canadian country group Emerson Drive's extraordinary musicianship landed the band a deal with DreamWorks records in 2001, and the band has been showcasing its unique mix of pop and country ever since.

Signed to Midas Records, Emerson Drive is in the midst of producing another hit record. Its single "A Good Man" can now be heard on country radio.

Emerson Drive will perform Nov. 3 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. on the Lakefront Stage.