NYS Fair adds another country singer to free concert lineup

Jamey Johnson

This provided photo shows country singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson.

The Great New York State Fair has added another country singer to 2021′s free concert lineup.

Jamey Johnson will perform at the NYS Fair for the first time on Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. A stage has not been announced; Fair Director Troy Waffner said Monday that this year’s shows will now take place at Chevy Court or the New York Experience stage.

Johnson, best known for the ACM and CMA award-winning 2008 song “In Color,” joins other country acts booked this year, including LOCASH, Brothers Osborne and Russell Dickerson. Johnson has also been nominated for nine Grammy Awards and written songs for big names like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Trace Adkins and George Strait.

All concerts are free with admission to the Fair, which is $3 this year.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that this year’s “Reimagined New York State Fair” will be open at 100% capacity outdoors due to Covid-19 vaccinations and declining cases. Masks will not be required for vaccinated fair-goers, though proof of vaccination will not be required; buildings will still have capacity limits, and more tables will be placed around the fairgrounds to encourage people to sit while eating and drinking.

Under the previous plan, all NYS Fair concerts were set to take place at the Chevy Park stage (formerly the New York Experience stage) on the west end of the fairgrounds — not Chevy Court — and tickets (free with admission) would be required. New York State Fair Director Troy Waffner said Monday that Chevy Court will now host shows expected to draw up to 20,000 people, and anything larger than that will take place in the New York Experience area.

Waffner said there also won’t be separate sections for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Cuomo’s office said Monday that “further details on Fair ticket sales and on specific rules for guests will be announced by mid-July and are subject to change with the State’s health guidance.”

More than 50 national touring shows will be presented at the NYS Fair’s Chevrolet Music Festival, the largest free music festival at any state fair in America. More than 25 shows have been confirmed so far across multiple genres, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks.

2021 New York State Fair concert lineup

  • LOCASH — Friday, Aug. 20 (Time TBA)
  • Nas — Friday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m.
  • 98 Degrees — Saturday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m.
  • Ratt — Saturday, Aug. 21 (Time TBA)
  • Brothers Osborne — Sunday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.
  • Bishop Briggs — Monday, Aug. 23 (Time TBA)
  • Foreigner — Monday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.
  • DSL* Dire Straits Legacy — Tuesday, Aug. 24 (Time TBA)
  • Train — Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.
  • Russell Dickerson — Wednesday, Aug. 25 (Time TBA)
  • REO Speedwagon — Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.
  • Three Dog Night — Thursday, Aug. 26 (Time TBA)
  • Bell Biv DeVoe — Thursday, Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.
  • Sister Sledge — Friday, Aug. 27, at 2 p.m.
  • Melissa Etheridge — Friday, Aug. 27, at 8 p.m.
  • Vixen and Great White — Saturday, Aug. 28 (Time TBA)
  • Noah Cyrus — Sunday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m.
  • Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes — Sunday, Aug. 29 (Time TBA)
  • Dropkick Murphys — Sunday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m.
  • Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone — Monday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m.
  • grandson — Monday, Aug. 30 (Time TBA)
  • The Oak Ridge Boys — Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 2 p.m.
  • Jamey Johnson — Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.
  • Halestorm — Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.
  • Sheena Easton — Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m.
  • Blue Oyster Cult — Wednesday, Sept. 1 (Time TBA)
  • Starship featuring Mickey Thomas — Thursday, Sept. 2 (Time TBA)
  • Uncle Kracker — Friday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m.
  • Cold War Kids - Saturday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m.

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