AG LAND STAGE

MAX ARMSTRONG

and the Roundhouse Band

Max Armstrong is one of the most widely-recognized and highly-regarded agriculture journalists in America

His broadcasts have been seen and heard by millions of farmers, ranchers and consumers for more than 30 years. As director of broadcasting for Farm Progress Companies, the largest agricultural media company in America, Armstrong is responsible for the daily radio programming and the television specials produced by Farm Progress. He is also co-host of This Week In AgriBusiness, one of the popular shows on the RFD-TV rural programming channel, and he continues co-hosting on Saturdays a weekly hour-long agriculture program on Chicago broadcast powerhouse WGN Radio, where he has been heard every week for more than 30 years.

Performing Wednesday, Sept. 5, 12:00 noon.

Ag Land Stage schedule

ASHLEY LEWIS

Bluegrass music played by Ashley Lewis and her band

Known for her sparkling vocals and dynamic mandolin work,
Ashley is also a highly acclaimed song writer

Award winning artist, Dale Ann Bradley of Nashville, comments on Ashley’s music, “I sat there with a smile on my face the whole time. You are a natural! You have the beauty in your heart and it comes through in your music.

Throughout the past year, Ashley has been touring extensively in Canada, throughout the US, and recording her most recent CD in Nashville. Producer of Ashley’s newest project, Jimmy Mattingly (fiddler of the Reba McEntire band), comments on it. “This CD is a great example of an unbelievable talent which is portrayed on this project through Ashley’s prolific songwriting, musicianship and passionate vocal style.” Release date is expected to be August of 2012.

Performing Wednesday, Sept. 5, 5:00 p.m.

Ag Land Stage schedule

FIDDLE CONTEST

All ages are welcome to enter with three separate age divisions

Get registration forms and more information

Participation is free with the purchase of a fair ticket. The contest offers three separate age divisions, which include children through adult and each contestant performs two tunes; a waltz and a hoedown. The contest is considered to be traditional fiddle music as opposed to classical, jazz, pop or rock. Traditional styles include Irish, French, Cajun, other National/Ethnic styles, Country, and Bluegrass. The purse for the contest totals over $800.00.

In celebration of the 125th year of the Sandwich Fair, there will be some past favorite traditions, along with exciting new additions to the contest.

Whether you are a seasoned fiddler, a novice, or an appreciative audience member, this is a great opportunity to participate or enjoy some very impressive fiddling in the shady, country atmosphere of the 125th Sandwich Fair.

6:00 p.m. See contest rules and get registration forms are available here.

Ag Land Stage schedule

ORION SAMUELSON

Performing with the Roundhouse Band

Most widely known for hosting the US Farm Report. Orion Samuelson was inducted in to the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003.

The #1 Agricultural Broadcaster in the country, Orion Samuelson has served as WGN Radio Agribusiness Director since 1960. Orion presents daily agricultural and business reports on WGN, in addition to co-hosting The Morning Show, WGN Radio's agriculture program, with his longtime colleague Max Armstrong on Saturdays at 5am.

Performing Thursday, Sept. 6, 10:00 a.m.

Ag Land Stage schedule

PK AND THE GROOVE

Patricia (PK), Ed, Mark, Jimmy & Bill

Rock, Rhythm, and Blues Band

PK & The Groove is one of the areas hottest high energy rock/rhythm and blues bands. We offer up a wide variety of smokin’ hot tunes guaranteed to leave you feeling great. So if you’re looking for a “shake your money maker, sing out loud, hang out with your friends” kind of time, come check us out and find out why we truly are “the most fun you can have with four guys and a chick”!

"Our music is freeing. It’s liberating. And it’s retro cool"! Visit their website pkgroove.com

Performing Thursday, Sept. 6, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Ag Land Stage schedule

THE NELSON MULTIMEDIA NOON SHOW

With Chris Schwemlein and Max Armstrong

Broadcast on WSQR/WCSJ

The Nelson Multimedia Noon Show is a 90 minute program dedicated to promoting and educating the live and radio audiences on the importance of agriculture to the Fair.  The roots of most State, County and local fairs tend to have agricultural origins, such as showing off prized livestock, produce, or, the canned and baked goods that come from the raw products grown on our Midwestern farms.

The band, Crossroads, adds to the depth and flair to the live broadcast with their musical segments in between interviews or during our commercial breaks. It's rare to find a broadcast of this sort anymore in this region. 

The Noon Show has become a staple of the Ag Land Stage in the few short years since the Nelson Multimedia stations started broadcasting from that location.

Have some fun, and laugh along with Chris and Max. Friday, 12:00 p.m.

Performing Friday, Sept. 7, 12:00 noon

Ag Land Stage schedule

TALK OF THE TOWN SWING BAND

Tunes from the big band swing era

Swingin' Good Time - Big Band Music

Think 1940's and Pennsylvania 6-5000. Other songs the band plays are: Ballin' The Jack, String of Pearls, Blue Moon, and New York, New York.

Founded on May 17, 2005 by Paul Rossek and Tom “the Colonel” Boyd, The Talk Of The Town Swing Band is a group of Sandwich area musicians formed with the intention of popularizing the enduring sounds of the Big Band Era for modern audiences. Known mainly by songs by the likes of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw and Harry James, big band music includes most of the popular songs from 1920-1950 and beyond. Directed by Josh Brooks, the The Talk Of The Town consists of 5 saxophones, 3 Trombones, 5 Trumpets, Piano, Drums, Bass and vocalists. The Band is very excited and humbled to be invited to support our country and troops by participating in a USO-type show at the Fair.

Performing Friday, Sept. 10, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Ag Land Stage schedule

THE FRETT BROTHERS

All Ages Classic Rock

An Incredible Variety of Classic Acoustic 70s Rock

The Frett Brothers Band is comprised of four very talented veterans of the Chicago music scene. These guys play clasic rock like they lived it because they did. The band is a tribute to the music of the "Music Generation." Performing music from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Doobie Brothers, America, Loggins and Messina, Seals and Crofts, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Little Feat, Dire Straits, Pure Prairie League, Santana, The Alman Brothers, and many many more. All with their own unique aoustic/electric instrumental blend and three part vocal harmonies.

The Frett Brothers Band continues to provide the finest in classic acoustic/electric rock performance in the Midwest. Visit their website at thefrettbrothers.com

Performing Friday, Sept. 11, 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Ag Land Stage schedule

WOODEN ROCKERS

Great classic rock from the 60's, 70's and beyond

The Wooden Rockers are Gary Schmidt, Dennis Owen, John Daly, and a few guitars

The Wooden Rockers are a three-piece acoustic group that brings three-part harmonies to many classic songs. With many years of collective experience in music, you will get not only great music, but a fun time as well. The Wooden Rockers bring many years of musical backgrounds together to form tight harmonies on many of your favorite classic rock hits.

Stop by, sit down and have a listen. Stop by their website, too, and listen/watch their videos!

Performing Saturday, Sept. 8, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Ag Land Stage schedule

BACK COUNTRY ROADS

6-piece band from northern Illinois led by a strong vocal duet

Songs Ranging From Jonny Cash to Lady Antebellum

Back Country Roads plays the newer Country Music that’s coming out of Nashville and a few of their own original compositions.

They have been playing to capacity crowds since June of 2009 when Mary, Kyle and Brian formed the band as a three-piece acoustic band.

Back Country Roads has played dozens of festivals and several County Fairs, and performed the last two years at Country Thunder, WI. They are currently working on their first original song CD to be released summer, 2012.

Back Country Roads is: Mary Noren, Vocals; Kyle Miller, Vocals; Brian Miller, Guitar/Vocals; John Von Arx, Guitar/Keyboard/Vocals; Dave Miller, Bass/Vocals; and Jarred Klotz, Drums/Vocals

E-mail backcountryroads@hotmail.com and check them out online at backcountryroadsband.com, Facebook and their new Droid/iPhone app at ‘Back Country Roads.’

Performing Saturday, Sept. 8, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Ag Land Stage schedule