Tracy Byrd to perform at U.P. State Fair

ESCANABA — This summer at the U.P. State Fair, you can learn the “Watermelon Crawl” when country music artist Tracy Byrd takes the Grandstand stage on Aug. 14, along with special guests The Riflemen.

Tracy Byrd and The Riflemen are the first acts announced by the U.P. State Fair in its full grandstand entertainment lineup, presented by Island Resort and Casino.

Tracy Byrd became a household name on the country music scene in 1993 when his third single, called “Holdin’ Heaven” — from his MCA Records, self-titled debut album — hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Charts.

Byrd’s second project, “No Ordinary Man,” built on the momentum the first album created, with the first radio single, “Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous,” reaching No. 4, followed by another top 5 hit, “The First Step.” The release of the fourth and last single on this project moved Byrd to the top of both the Billboard Album and Singles charts. The song was called “The Keeper of the Stars” and it shot to No. 1 on the singles charts and pushed the album to Double Platinum status.

Byrd’s later album, “The Truth About Men,” first released the title track — a comedic look at what men are really like; the track was a team effort with Byrd’s buddies Blake Shelton, Andy Griggs and Troy and Eddie of Montgomery Gentry lending their talents to the song and the video. In 2001, Byrd released the album “Ten Rounds” with the party song of the year, “Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo,” shooting to the top of the Billboard charts in 2002 to notch Byrd’s third No. 1 single.

The U.P. State Fair will also welcome The Riflemen to the Grandstand stage. The Riflemen pride themselves as a true blend of heartland/southern rock, and Midwest country/Americana. Based out of Southeast Michigan near Ann Arbor, they are traveling the world over to play their brand of American music.

Gold Circle tickets for performances by Tracy Byrd with special guests, The Riflemen, on Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) went on sale on Monday and can be purchased from the presenting sponsor, Island Resort and Casino at islandresortandcasino.com/entertainment. General seating for all grandstand entertainment is free with admission to the fair. To purchase advance gate admission for the U.P. State Fair, please visit upstatefair.net.