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Country music star John Conlee will highlight a myriad of music at 2009 Houston County Fair
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
“We’ve got a number of new members on the board this year who have brought some new and exciting ideas for the fair this year. I think folks will really be pleased with what we’ve got lined up,” said Houston County Fair Board President Eldon Pohlman.
“Bringing in a national recording star is huge for us,” Pohlman noted. He was referring to the country-western singer John Conlee, who will be in concert Friday night.
Conlee is best known for is 1978 release “Rose Colored Glasses,” a song he wrote, which became a huge hit as well as his signature song. In 1979 Conlee released “Back Side of Thirty” which went on to become a number one record. Conlee has had eight number one hits on the C&W charts.
Pohlman explained the fair board was able to book Conlee with the help of Duane Beckman of Caledonia and Randy Logsdon of rural Decorah, who puts on the very popular “Light up the Bluffs” music festival each summer in Bluffton, Iowa.
“We were trying to come up with something for everyone, and decided to go after a big-name star,” Pohlman continued. “Randy had connections with many of the country stars and found out John Conlee would be coming through the Midwest in route to another concert. We had to line up a stage, a light show and a concert-size sound system. Jake Wieser of Money Creek is helping us out with his system.
“The concert will go on rain or shine,” Pohlman noted. “Jake’s stage has a roof on it. So weather won’t be an issue. There will be large video screens too. So there won’t be a bad seat in the house.”
Tim and the Floppy Cowboys will be the front act beginning at 8 p.m. Conlee will take the stage at 9.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate.
Other musical acts
• Thursday evening will feature Str8up, a band covering a wide variety of music from classic to current hits. They will be performing in the Beer Tent from 8 p.m. until midnight.
• Two-Step (Music for the Soul) will perform in the Arts Tent on Saturday, during the Ecumenical church service that begins at 5:30 p.m. They perform gospel tunes mixed with old standards.
• The ‘60s and ‘70s will be in the spotlight Saturday night in the Beer Tent from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. as Bob & The Beachcombers will be providing the entertainment. They perform rock & roll favorites from the ‘60s and ‘70s that will have the audience bopping to the beat.
• The fair board didn’t forget about the younger set. Local funk-reggae band Moose Noodle will play their high-energy music Saturday night in the Arts Tent. This band has local roots with their five members being from the Caledonia and Spring Grove area.
• In the Big Tent on Thursday the Apple Annies will perform at noon as part of Senior Citizen Day. The Apple Annies are an all-female group from the La Crescent area.
• Performing at various times and locations during the fair on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is Ross Sutter. He performs Celtic and Scandinavian music and during Kids’ Day will invite children audience members to build a “limberjack” and play along with him.
• Folks will have an opportunity to watch local talent during the talent contest, which will be held Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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