LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Get a taste of almost every musical genre at the Kentucky State Fair this year. Rock, pop, hip-hop, bluegrass, alternative, country and praise music will keep fair goers of any age entertained each night.

The following concerts will be held at 8 p.m. in Cardinal Stadium, free with paid admission to the Kentucky State Fair.

Joan Jett - Thursday, August 19
Co-founding her first band, The Runaways, when she was only 15 years old, Joan Jett broke musical stereotypes by becoming one of the first female rockers. Later, as lead vocalist of the Blackhearts, she has recorded a combined eight platinum and gold albums, as well as nine Top 40 singles. Fans of all ages will delight to see her perform favorites like “I Love Rock N’ Roll” and “Bad Reputation.” Jett has also recently been in the spotlight for “The Runaways,” a film
about the band, starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, released earlier this year. Put another dime in the jukebox, and get ready to kickoff the Fair with a little rock and roll.

M.C. Hammer – Friday, August 20
Considered to be the forefather of pop rap, M.C. Hammer rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s with his catchy beats, dazzling dance moves and his trademark “Hammer parachute pants”. His album “Hammer Don’t Hurt Em,” was the first rap album to hit a No. 1 spot on the pop charts, where it stayed for 21 weeks. Whether you know him by Hammer, Hammertime, or simply M.C. this legendary entertainer will be tearing up the dance floor performing some of his
greatest 80s hits such as, “U Can’t Touch This” and “Pray”, and hopefully, sporting his most famous fashion statement.

Jackyl with special guest Slaughter – Saturday, August 21
Springing out of Georgia nearly 20 years ago, Jackyl is well known for their blended recipe of hard rock, heavy metal, and a pinch of Southern charm. “Lumberjack,” which includes a chainsaw solo, and “Down On Me” are some of their notable crowd pleasers. Given the title as
the “Hardest Working Band in Rock N’ Roll” in the “Guinness Book of World Records”, Jackyl will be sure to entertain. Special guest Slaughter has toured with both Ozzy Osbourne and KISS.
Between tours they recorded several hits including the power ballad “Fly to the Angels.”

An Evening with the Oak Ridge Boys with special guest The Grascals –Sunday, August 22
Appearing at more Kentucky State Fairs than any other entertainment act in history, The Oak Ridge Boys have made jamming to their classic hit “Elvira” a fair tradition. For their 34th consecutive performance, the band will also give audiences a taste of their newest album “The
Boys Are Back,” which has a blend of blues, country, gospel, and of course-good ole rock and roll. Crowds won’t want to miss their electrifying version of the White Stripes’ song “Seven Nation Army”. Joining them is the six-piece bluegrass band, The Grascals, whose hit “Me and John and Paul” won Song of the Year from the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2005.

MercyMe with special guest Francesca Battistelli – Monday, August 23
Nominated for several Grammy awards, MercyMe has always had success expressing their spirituality through music. Their cross over single “I Can Only Imagine” received major airplay on both Christian and mainstream radio stations, and earned three Gospel Music Association
Dove awards in 2002. Special guest Francesca Battistelli is new to the fair this year and will be playing music from her new album “My Paper Heart”. Her first single “I’m Letting Go” was one of the most played songs on Christian radio in 2008.

Charlie Daniels with special guest The Kentucky Headhunters – Tuesday, August 24
It looks like the Devil will be making a quick stop in Kentucky on his way to Georgia this year when Charlie Daniels hits the stage. The self-proclaimed “lone cowboy” is primarily known for his country songs, “The South’s Gonna Do It” and “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” His large fan base can be accredited to the individualistic and working class values reflected in his music. Special guests The Kentucky Headhunters will be joining Daniels in concert. Starting in
1968, in the small town of Edmonton, KY, this country rock group will perform hits “Oh Lonesome Me” and “Dumas Walker.”

Endless Summer Beach Party Featuring Al Jardine, founding member of the Beach Boysand Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean with special guest Gary Puckett and The Monarchs –Wednesday, August 25
Bringing California, sand, and the West Coast surf to Kentucky, the Endless Summer Beach Party will cure your “Summertime Blues.” Al Jardine, founding member of the Beach Boys, and
Dean Torrence, from the 1960s rock and roll duo Jan and Dean, headline the tide of summer music. Special guest Gary Puckett outsold the Beatles in 1968 with hits such as “Woman Woman” and “This Girl is A Woman Now” as lead singer of the band Union Gap. Local sock
hops were incomplete without the nine-members of The Monarchs, who have enjoyed success as Louisville’s premier dance band for almost 50 years.

Jake Owen with special guest The Eli Young Band – Thursday, August 26
After his hopes for a professional golf career were ended by a water skiing accident, Jake Owen has achieved success with the hits “Startin’ With Me,” “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” and
“Life in a Northern Town,” which was recorded live with Sugarland and Little Big Town. Mike Eli and James Young formed The Eli Young Band after they met as roommates at the University of North Texas. Their biggest hit, “Always the Love Songs,” reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and they were recently nominated for Top New Vocal Group at the 2010 American Country Music Awards.

Black Stone Cherry with special guests Default and Cavo – Friday, August 27
Hard rockers Black Stone Cherry have supported Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Nickleback, Hinder and Buckcherry on their tours, and most recently toured with AC/DC. The Edmonton, Kentucky
natives will play songs from their two studio albums, “Black Stone Cherry” and “Folklore and Superstition.” The Canadian band, Default, known for their hit, “Wasting My Time,” will open along with Cavo. Cavo’s recent song, “Let it Go,” was featured in the June 2009 blockbuster, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”

Billy Currington with special guest The Band Perry – Saturday, August 28
Named by Nashville Lifestyles magazine as one of the “25 Most Beautiful People” in 2004, Billy Currington is heating up the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with hits such as “Must BeDoing Something Right,” “Good Directions” and “People Are Crazy.” Special guest The BandPerry is composed of siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry. Their debut single “Hip to MyHeart” was released in 2009.

The 106th Kentucky State Fair will be held August 19-29 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.