Saturday, July 14 Entertainment
Concert time - approx. 8:30 p.m. / Tickets on sale May 1st

CHRIS YOUNG
(Opening Performer 7:30 p.m.— "Newcomer" Glen Templeton)

When an artist looks back on his or her own career, there are always moments he or she can point to where there was a shift to another level. Those defining moments tend to be easy to spot with the benefit of hindsight but more difficult to see without the passage of time. Yet Chris Young has a sense that something is happening.

"I really do believe in timing," says Young. "Everybody has a different point in their career when things start to come together and click, when it's your time."

With the release of his third studio album, NEON, Chris Young leaves no doubt. Now is his time.

How's this for everything clicking - NEON's first single, "Tomorrow," one of an impressive seven songs on the album co-written by Young, is the fastest-rising hit of his career. The cut raced to the top of the charts and is certified Digital Gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000 downloads.

And as far as timing - Young's career is ticking like a Swiss watch. The last four singles Chris Young has released have all hit #1 on the charts, including "Tomorrow" and the smash hit "Gettin' You Home," a song that earned him his first-ever Grammy nomination. All signs are pointing skyward as NEON debuted at #4 on the all genre Billboard Top 200 chart with more than 72,000 first week fans declaring their devotion to Young. He's also been fêted by the media with glowing review in USA Today, People, Associated Press and Billboard in addition to high profile TV appearances on Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Fox & Friends.

While all the sales numbers, accolades and awards are certainly appreciated, what Young values most about this time in his life is that he can make a living doing what he loves most.

"Music is why I'm here and it's something I can't live without," says Young. "It's what I'm built to do."

That thrill of entertaining took hold of Young at an early age. His first moments on a stage involved acting in school plays, but it wasn't long before he realized he wanted to showcase a different talent in the spotlight. "I love to sing," admits Young. "I was the kid in high school who lived and breathed music every moment of every day."

Totally focused on making his passion a career, Young was playing 150 dates a year by the time he went off to college to major in music. While dead serious about the subject of his studies, he soon felt the need to get a different kind of higher education.

"I did the thing all parents love to hear," says Young with a mischievous gleam in his eye. "I dropped out of school and started making music full time. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that music is what drives me and it was what I had to do."

The honky tonk school of hard knocks -- including a PhD-level class fronting a seven-piece band on a run through Texas -- and countless hours honing his craft at writers nights in Nashville paid off with a record deal and debut on RCA. The self-titled album would go on to earn Young the title of best-selling new country male vocalist for 2006 and a nod for the Academy of Country Music's Top New Male Vocalist award.

Young doubled-down on the success of his first record with the release of his second CD, The Man I Want To Be. Any concern over maintaining momentum vanished when the album powered right through the dreaded sophomore slump with three back-to-back #1 singles.

The impressive streak started with "Gettin' You Home" and picked up steam with the release of the title track. "The Man I Want To Be" was then followed by a song that would earn Chris Young a place in the history books. "Voices" was originally the first single released from Man. It made its initial run up the chart in late 2008 but stalled just inside the Top 40. When the label made the decision to give it a second go two years later, it soared all the way to #1.

"The last time (that) happened was 25 years ago with ‘On The Other Hand' for Randy Travis," beams Young, thrilled to have that connection with one of his musical heroes.

All the chart success quickly earned Young the attention of his peers. He was tapped as an opening act for Alan Jackson and Rascal Flatts, where he learned a few tricks of the trade from two very successful entertainers with very different styles. "It's such a great opportunity as an artist," says Young. "To hang with those guys and watch them perform every night and see how they engage their fans." Chris is getting the chance to learn a few more tricks and earn several thousand more admirers as he joins Jason Aldean on his My Kinda Party Tour.

Young's all-around accomplishments as an entertainer also earned him one of the industry's highest honors: his first-ever Grammy nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Gettin' You Home."

"It was so cool and humbling to receive a Grammy nomination," remembers Young. "It's one of those moments I'll never forget. It's exciting to have your name in the hat. Win or not, it confirms that you're doing something right."

To insure that he continued doing "something right" with the new record, Young made sure a trusted friend and seasoned pro was with him in the studio. James Stroud, the veteran producer who worked with Young on Man, was back again for NEON. "Until it stops working, I honestly don't want anyone else to produce my albums. It's so inspiring to be able to work with someone who you have that much admiration for and that much respect for in the studio."

When fans listen to NEON, that strong familiarity between Young and Stroud pays off in the very first track. "I Can Take It From There" is a song that has Young revisiting the romantic vibe of "Gettin' You Home." Expect similar, swoon-worthy results with female fans.

"It's a great way to kick off the record," says Young. "When you pop the CD in, there's no way you'll be confused about what you're listening to. Immediately it's the low end of my voice, some cool guitar tones, steel and a kind of cool, sexy vibe. This was kind of a kindred spirit to the last album."

With the upbeat "Lost," a song celebrating broken GPSs, long country drives and looking deep into someone's eyes, country music fans have found their soundtrack for summer. "There are so many people who are going to be able to connect with this," says Young. "Put that song on repeat and roll the windows down."

Young follows the debut single "Tomorrow" with the tongue-in-cheek public service announcement/party anthem "Save Water, Drink Beer." And then there's the title track.

"When I first heard ‘Neon,' I thought to myself, "Man, I've got to cut this before George Strait finds it," laughs Young. "If anybody's looking for classic country music, it's that track. I knew immediately that it was going to be the title of the album."

"I wanted to write with Brett James and Tim Nichols who wrote ‘The Man I Want To Be,'" recalls Young. "So I had this title, ‘Old Love Feels New.' Immediately Brett picks up a guitar and sings, ‘Granddaddy always said.' I wanted to know why he started with Granddaddy, and he said, ‘I don't know. It just sounds kind of cool.' Well, my grandparents are that song - they met, fell in love and that was it. We finished it in under an hour."

With "You," Chris Young realized one of his guiltiest pleasures just might be listening to his own music. "That was honestly one of my favorites to put on and listen to on the record," tells Young. "I know I shouldn't be rocking out to my own album, but it's just a great feeling song."

Writing "Flashlight," a surprisingly sweet song about a boy who holds the light as his father works on the car, required a quick co-write with Chris's own dad. "I actually called him and said, ‘Hey, when we were working on that Camaro, what size tool did we use?'" recalls Young. "And he immediately answered, ‘Nine-sixteenths.' So we put that right in the song."

By including the song "When She's On," Chris gives a helping hand to tongue-tied fellas everywhere. "Every guy wants to find the way to say what that song says to the girl he's dating," Young says with a smile. "And that song is exactly what they all want to hear. So anytime I hear a song like that I want to cut it...because I can never manage to say it correctly."

For the final track of NEON, "She's Got This Thing About Her," it's Chris Young like you've never heard him before. Showcasing one of country music's most striking voices accompanied only by piano and a string section, the song reveals just how much Young has grown as an artist and a wordsmith...and gives us a glimpse on just how far his talent can take him. It's a fitting finale for a country album made for the modern age but delivered by a classic performer with total confidence in his craft.

"I get to do exactly what I love, which is write and create and put it in permanent ink," Young says with a grin. "We didn't put it in pencil."

Sunday, July 15 Entertainment
Concert time - 8:30 p.m. / Tickets on sale May 1st

ERIC CHURCH

Eric Church is on a mission. You might expect someone coming off of their first two Top Ten country singles and an ACM Award for “Top New Solo Vocalist” to lock down the formula and go for more of the same, but with third album, CHIEF, Church is trying something bolder and using the opportunity provided by his success to push his music even further.

“I have a theory that all of us only get a small window of time to make records when people will really listen and care,” he says. “It's up to us to move the needle. People like Waylon and Cash or Garth and Strait - they all took the format and said ‘We're going over here,’ and they all changed the direction of the music a little bit.”

Church’s 2006 debut album, SINNERS LIKE ME, established him as one of the most acclaimed new songwriters in country music. The follow-up, 2009’s CAROLINA, includes the singles “Love Your Love the Most” and “Smoke a Little Smoke,” which—along with the continually escalating popularity of his hard-charging live show—elevated Church to the top ranks of today’s country stars. Although “Smoke” was peaking on the charts, Church decided to take a step back to give some thought to his next creative direction.
“I took about a month off and went to a cabin in North Carolina,” he says. “We’ve always blazed our own trail and I was trying to figure out where it needed to go and, honestly, I wasn't sure. So, I didn't go anywhere for a month. Writers came out and we just wrote songs all day and all night. That really stoked the creative flame. Then, I spent the next six months on tour writing whenever I could.”

The songs that resulted illustrate Church’s impressive range. Some of the titles like “Drink in My Hand” or “Hungover & Hard Up,” instantly show that he’s still comfortable with the expectations of his rowdy live audience. “You’ve got to know what's going to fire them up,” he says, “but, you also need to give them a twist, something they can't just go back and get from the other two records.”

Other songs, like the ambitious “Springsteen” or “Like Jesus Does,” reveal complicated emotions and sophisticated song structures. Perhaps the bravest track on CHIEF is the first single, “Homeboy,” a provocative appeal from one brother to another to get back on track and make peace with his family.

“‘Homeboy’ deals with social issues and with everyday life,” says Church. “It was pretty challenging for me to take that term ‘homeboy’ and use it as slang, as a destination, and then at the end, as a spiritual place. Sonically, it's like three or four different songs.”

“It’s not something people are used to,” he continues, “and there can be a price to pay for that. I’ve had people say ‘that's strange,’ ‘it's odd’—things that some people might run from but, I think it's fantastic.”

When it came time to record the album, Church had a sound in mind that felt different from his first two releases. “This record, more than anything else I've done, is breathing and alive,” he says. “There’s a wildness to it. It’s untamed and not very harnessed.”

This energy started with the singer’s own role in the sessions. Much of CHIEF was cut live in the studio. Church played guitar with the band (and for the first time on record, electric guitar on “Like Jesus Does”) and some of the final versions even use the original tracking vocal.

Church gives credit to producer Jay Joyce, with whom he has made all three of his albums, for helping to bring this excitement out on the tracks. “There’s just a comfort level with Jay,” he says. “We’ve both learned to sit back and let each other try different paths and get farther out there. A lot of stuff we just tried, like the handclap loop on ‘Homeboy,’ just because we weren’t afraid. We never thought there was anything we couldn’t do. I think it’s the most aggressive record I’ve made because of that.”

Though Eric Church’s focus is on looking forward rather than looking back, he does acknowledge that the surprising success of “Smoke a Little Smoke” allowed him to explore and experiment with his new songs. Church explains, “This was the first time I picked a single because of the reaction on the road and it paid off.”

The desire to capture the intensity of his live show on record is indicated right in the title of the new album. "‘Chief’ was my grandfather’s nickname, and it has become my nickname on the road," Church reveals. "When it's show time, I put on the sunglasses and the hat, and that's how people know it's game time. This album was made from a live place; we recorded it with the live show in mind, so it just seemed right to make that the title."

If there is one thing country music needs more of, it’s the attitude that is driving Eric Church, the approach behind every song on CHIEF, the fearlessness that lets an artist swing for the fences and try to leave a mark on history. “There were safer choices I could have made for sure, but I just can't feel that helps anybody,” he says. “If you have any respect for the music, you'll use each chance you get to try to be one of the ones who moves the flag.”

For one low price of $35, you may purchase a GENERAL SEATING FUNPASS, entitling you to attend the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Mid-States Rodeo, Saturday evening performance of Chris Young & Glen Templeton, Sunday Noon Barbecue, and Sunday evening performance of Eric Church. With this FUNPASS, children age 5 and under are FREE.

For one low price of $45, you may purchase a RESERVED SEATING FUNPASS, entitling you to attend the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Rodeo, Saturday evening performance of Chris Young & Glen Templeton, Sunday Noon Barbecue, and Sunday evening performance of Eric Church. RESERVED SEATING FUNPASS will allow you to have reserved seating for ALL rodeo and concert performances. All persons seated in the RESERVED GRANDSTAND MUST purchase a ticket.

Daily Rodeo Admission Tickets will go on sale at 6:00 pm based upon availability. Prices of general admission tickets are as follows:
Rodeo $10 each night (reserved seating, $15 based on availability).

CONCERT-ONLY TICKETS

Concert-Only tickets are available at the Fair Office, (402) 454-2144. General Admission tickets are $30 in advance
or $35 the day of the concert.

Early picture of Madison County Fair - Date Unknown.

Early picture of Madison County Fair - Date Unknown.

The Madison County Fair was started in 1873 at the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of third and Main. On March 2, 1874 those interested in the Madison County Agricultural Society met to make plans for the second Madison County Fair and to better organize. Section 8 of the regulations governing the society was amended to require parties competing to pay $1.00 and thus become members in the society and secure funds to conduct the fair. They secured twenty-three members. A committee was then formed to prepare a track for the exhibition of trotting and running stock. It was then decided to hold the fair at Madison, Nebraska. The Fair was conducted mostly by volunteers.

The Madison County Ag Society membership elected to carry out the fair was called "The Fair Board" for many years. It is now called the Board of Directors and all registered voters are considered a member of the Madison County Ag Society. Any of the registered voters may run for a seat on the Board of Directors and vote. There are five voted on each year to serve a term of three years, they may re-run if they so wish. The Board of Directors of the Madison County Ag Society now number fifteen members. They donate their time, energy and talents to produce one of the best fairs and rodeos in the State of Nebraska.
The fair was held in the downtown area until 1882. After tornadoes and a big fire hampered the events in the downtown area, they moved to the Pete Barnes farm, (now the Gary White farm) and held the events in a meadow. The 4-H groups and schools were beginning to become active participants and volunteers in participating and helping with the fair.

In 1885 a group of Madison citizens known as the Madison Driving Park Association, incorporated for the purpose of purchasing 25 acres in the northwest part of Madison (part of the present day fairgrounds) for use as the County Fairgrounds and leased it to the Madison County Ag Society (MCAS). It also built a trotting horse race track, which until the late 1930's was a part of the fair attraction. Madison Downs then began with horse racing. The racing program was separated from the fair until attendance fell off. Horse racing came to an end in 1971. The MCAS then became the main supporter of events. They incorporated and started meeting once each month and still do to this day.

The Fairgrounds were used for other events throughout the year, the school rented it for an athletic field; buildings were rented to organizations and family groups for meetings, reunions etc. In the 1930's, the Army leased some of the grounds to build a CCC Camp, which, in 1943 were returned to the MCAS by the Army. They were then utilized for use as 4-H horse barns for the fair and rented out for stables in the winters. (These were later torn down and a multipurpose livestock barn with inside arena was built. (One of the original barns is still used).

In the last years of the races the Madison Downs group authorized the Madison Jaycees to use the fairgrounds for a Rodeo. In 1998 upon expiration of the original contract with the Jaycees, MCAS took over the rodeo. To this day the rodeo is a main attraction for the Madison County Fair. National entertainment artists have been featured at the fair as well. The 4-H Clubs all have exhibits and livestock shows they participate in during the fair. The schools also display student artwork during the fair. A large fireworks finale was began in 1996 and has become a tradition. The carnival during the fair was first introduced in early 1900 and is still a main attraction. During the day there are all kinds of action: contests and shows, turtle races, ice cream eating contest, etc. to draw everyone's interest. The Fair and Rodeo is usually held in the month of July.

The Madison County Fairgrounds have grown from 25 acres and a few old houses to 75 acres and many modern updated buildings - 3 arenas (two outside and one large inside one), beef, horse, sheep, swine, and small animal housing with electricity, lights, plugs for grooming animals, and wash racks. It has plenty of parking with shuttle service to and from the parking areas to the main entrance. A camping area is available for those that was to stay all week during the fair and for camper tours etc. Restrooms are modern; two have showers with hot water. In 1995 a large fair office and boardroom were constructed. Additional facilities include: an Open Air building, concession stand, nearly new grandstands, and the Octagon Building (older historic building that was called the center building. It was built sometime in the mid 1800's). The grounds, buildings, and arenas are rented out and used year-round.

The 133rd Annual Madison County Fair will again be the host to well over 50,000 fairgoers this year. Attendance at the Fair has grown from a crowd of 50 to 60 people in 1873 to over 50,000 during the week in 2000.

Favorite Foods - age 13-18

Senior Beef Showmanship

Senior Beef Showmanship

Intermediate Beef Showmanship

Intermediate Beef Showmanship

Junior Beef Showmanship

Junior Beef Showmanship

Market Heifers

Market Steers

Market Steers

Angus Breeding Beef - Heifers calved 1/1/10-4/30/10

Angus Breeding Beef - Heifers calved 1/1/10-4/30/10

Chianina Breeding Beef - Heifers calved 5/1/10-8/31/10

Commercial Breeding Beef - Heifers calved 5/1/10-4/30/10

Commercial Breeding Beef - Heifers calved 5/1/10-8/31/10

Shorthorn Breeding Beef - Heifers calved 1/1/10-4/30/10

Shorthorn Breeding Beef - Heifers calved 5/1/10-8/31/10

Senior Sheep Showmanship

Senior Sheep Showmanship

Intermediate Sheep Showmanship

Intermediate Sheep Showmanship

Junior Sheep Showmanship

Junior Sheep Showmanship

Commercial breeding ewe lambs

Commercial breeding ewe lambs

Commercial breeding yearlings

Senior Swine Showmanship

Senior Swine Showmanship

Intermediate Swine Showmanship

Intermediate Swine Showmanship

Junior Swine Showmanship

Junior Swine Showmanship

Market Barrow

Market Barrow

Market Gilt

Market Gilt

Pair of Market Hogs

Pair of Market Hogs

Junior Dairy Showmanship

Holstein Junior Calves

Holstein Intermediate Calves

Holstein Fall Yearlings

Holstein Three Year Olds

Holstein Five+ Year Olds

Jersey Spring Yearlings

Market Goats

Market Goats

Junior Meat Goat Showmanship

Junior Meat Goat Showmanship

Junior Poultry Showmanship

Poultry Junior Division

Senior Rabbit Showmanship

Senior Rabbit Showmanship

Intermediate Rabbit Showmanship

Intermediate Rabbit Showmanship

Junior Rabbit Showmanship

Junior Rabbit Showmanship

Senior Cat Showmanship

Junior Cat Showmanship

Senior Cat Showmanship

Junior Cat Showmanship

Short haired Cat

Short haired Cat

Dog Junior Showmanship

Dog Junior Showmanship

Dog Intermediate Showmanship (11-13 years)

Dog Intermediate Showmanship (11-13 years)

Dog Senior Showmanship (ages 14-18)

Dog Senior Showmanship (ages 14-18)

Dog Obedience Beginning Novice Division A

Dog Obedience Beginning Novice Division A

Feeder Steers

Feeder Steers

Feeder Heifers

Feeder Heifers

Feeder Bulls

Feeder Bulls

Cow and Calf

Cow and Calf

Bucket Calf (8 & 9 years old)

Bucket Calf (8 & 9 years old)

Bucket Calf (10&11 years old)

Bucket Calf (10&11 years old

Returning Bucket Calf - market steer or heifer

Returning Bucket Calf - breeding heifer

Returning Bucket Calf - breeding heifer

Poultry Pullets, pen of three

Pigeon Old Male

Pigeon Old Male

Other Poultry Old Drake

Other Poultry Old Goose

Other Poultry Bantam Exotic, female-hatched during current year

Other Poultry Bantam Exotic, female-hatched during current year

Other Poultry Standard Poultry, male-hatched during current year

Other Poultry Standard Poultry, male-hatched prior to current year

Other Poultry Guinea

Other Poultry Guinea

Market Lamb

Market Lamb

Pair of Market Lambs

Pair of Market Lambs

Feeder Lamb

Feeder Lamb

Pair of Feeder Lambs

Pair of Feeder Lambs

Dairy Goat - Does under one year, not in milk

Dairy Goat - Does under one year, not in milk

Horse - English Pleasure

Horse - English Pleasure

Horse - English Equitation

Horse - English Equitation

Horse - Pleasure Class Junior Division

Horse - Pleasure Class Intermediate

Horse - Pleasure Class Intermediate

Horse - Pleasure Class Senior Division

Horse Pleasure Class Senior Divison

Horse - Horsemanship Junior Division

Horse - Horsemanship Junior Division

Horse - Horsemanship Intermediate Division

Horse - Horsemanship Intermediate Division

Horse - Horsemanship Senior Division

Horse - Horsemanship Senior Division

Horse - Western Riding Intermediate Division

Horse - Western Riding Senior Division

Horse - Western Riding Senior Division

Horse - Reining Class Junior Division

Horse - Reining Class Intermediate Division

Horse - Reining Class Intermediate Division

Horse - Reining Class Senior Division

Horse - Reining Class Senior Division

Horse - Trail Class Junior Division

Horse - Trail Class Junior Division

Horse - Trail Class Intermediate Division

Horse - Trail Class Intermediate Division

Horse - Trail Class Senior Division

Horse - Trail Class Senior Division

Horse - Pole Bending Junior Division

Horse - Pole Bending Junior Division

Horse - Pole Bending Intermediate Division

Horse - Pole Bending Intermediate Division

Horse - Pole Bending Senior Division

Horse - Pole Bending Senior Division

Horse - Barrel Racing Junior Division

Horse - Barrel Racing Junior Division

Horse - Barrel Racing Intermediate Division

Horse - Barrel Racing Intermediate Division

Horse - Barrel Racing Senior Division

Horse - Barrel Racing Senior Division

Horse - Break Away Roping Junior Division

Horse - Break Away Roping Junior Division

Horse - Daily Steer Roping Heading

Horse - Daily Steer Roping Heading

Horse - Daily Steer Roping Healing

Horse - Daily Steer Roping Healing

Horse - Roping Stationery Head on Foot - All Ages

Horse - Roping Stationery Head on Foot - All Ages

Horse - Halter Class Yearlings

Horse - Halter Class Yearlings

Horse - Halter Class 2 Year Olds

Horse - Halter Class 2 Year Olds

Horse - Halter Class 3 Year Olds and Older Geldings

Horse - Halter Class 3 Year Olds and Older Geldings

Horse - Halter Class 3 Year Olds and Older Mares

Horse - Halter Class 3 Year Olds and Older Mares

Horse - Working Ranch Horse Junior Division

Horse - Working Ranch Horse Junior Division

Horse - Working Ranch Senior Division

Horse - Working Ranch Senior Division

Horse Senior Horse Showmanship

Horse Senior Horse Showmanship

Horse Intermediate Horse Showmanship

Horse Intermediate Horse Showmanship

Horse Junior Horse Showmanship

Horse Junior Horse Showmanship

Horse - Walk Trot Pleasure

Horse - Walk Trot Pleasure

Horse - Walk Trot Horsemanship Beginning Juniors

Horse - Walk Trot Horsemanship Beginning Juniors

Goat Tying Junior Division (13 years and under)

Goat Tying Junior Division (13 years and under)

Goat Tying Senior Division (14 years and older)

Horse - 2-3 Yearold Old Snaffle bit

Breeding Rabbit Junior Doe

Breeding Rabbit Intermediate Doe

Breeding Rabbit Intermediate Doe

Breeding Rabbit Senior Doe

Breeding Rabbit Senior Doe

Breeding Rabbit Senior Buck

Breeding Rabbit Senior Buck

Dog - Agility - Level 1

Dog Agility - Level 1

Large 4 Legged Exotic Animal

Large 4 Legged Exotic Animal

Exotic Animal Showmanship

Exotic Animal Showmanship