Abbey Road Band consists of four guys who grew up loving the Beatles music. Beck in the ‘60s, what the “Fab 4” first hit the scene, they were all playing Beatles songs in  their own towns, in their own local rock groups. They all continue to love the music through the following years. Now the music of the Beatles is popular once again. They formed this band so people could hear a live performance of the Beatles music.

Groove Daddy are considered one of the premier bands in the Black Hills. Combining the funky, grooving original music of lead singer Tom Whillock’s previous project Toadstool Jamboree with a batch of brand new material, Groovedaddy also jams hard with hip alt/classic rock tunes, reggae jams, funk grooves, gospel and old school country styles. At a Groovedaddy show, you’ll hear tunes from artists such as Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead and Bob Marley to Guster, Weezer, Ben Harper and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Some might argue this is Tom’s second or even third wind since his days in Children which he founded with Kory Van Sickle of Kory and the Fireflies fame - one of South Dakota’s most well known bands. Bobby Sundby plays lead guitar; batting clean-up and playing third bass is Mike Hermanson; Earl Bartholow is on drums/vocals and Nate Larson on percussion. Like Tom, Earl has some notoriety in the music industry having played with the likes of America, Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys, The Platters and Frankie Avalon as well as in various projects out in the Sunset Strip scene in LA.

Brandon Cash was born and lived in Johnson City, New York until moving to the Nashville area in 2000. At the age of six, Brandon took an interest not only in music, but, began playing the guitar and singing everyday. His love for music was influenced by many recording artists like Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Waylon Jennings. In 1997 Brandon had the honor of meeting the legendary Man in Black Johnny Cash, and even had the opportunity to play and sing with him. This experience has played a major role in his music today.
Brandon now performs a tribute show and with his natural likeness, emulates a true musical legend and renders a performance that Johnny would be proud of. Brandon’s own music shows a unique tradition not to be forgotten as we are reminded of the music that delights the hearts forever. Brandon’s show is based on the early years of John’s career which included the Tennessee three and the Carter family. This includes the addition of back-up singers.

Prepare to put reality on hold and suspend disbelief! Magician Keith Raymond will amaze you with slight of hand, mesmerize you with large scale illusion and hurt your side with comedy magic. Watch as Keith vanishes his assistant in an illusion that will have everyone asking “where does she go?”. See why the Minot Daily News says “It is immediately obvious that he is no amateur at entertaining the audience”. Don’t miss Keith Raymond, doing what he does best...the impossible!

Michael is one of the world’s top performing stage hypnotists, a certified stress management consultant and an award winning expert in the field of magical phenomina. Michael’s goal is to present the art of hypnosis in a way that people of all ages can learn about and enjoy the unique experience of hypnotism. When Leeza Gibbons of EXTRA was searching for a dynamic stage hypnotist to dazzle her national NBC TV audience, she chose the incredible talents of the “Award Winning”, “Master Hypnotist” Michael Mezmer. Presenting his “Trace-Nosis” comedy hypnosis show to public and critical acclaim, Michael has toured throughout the United States and the Orient performing before millions with standing room only crowds at major fairs, amusement parks, and festivals.

A Country Music Legend, a true gentleman, a raconteur and storyteller, Sherwin Linton is a man with thousands of friends. He launched his career in the music business in the mid 1950’s as a disc jockey and live performer of Rock-A-Billy Music on radio station KWAT in Watertown, South Dakota. Sherwin moved to Minneapolis in 1957, and expanded his territory from the Midwest to playing nightclubs and ballrooms throughout the country. He journeyed to Nashville in 1966 where he cut “Cotton King,” a song that catapulted him to the top of the Country charts. Roy Acuff, with whom Sherwin toured, was so impressed with Linton’s talents that Sherwin was signed to the legendary Acuff-Rose Publishing Company and Hickory Records, resulting in numerous TV show appearances and coast-to-coast tours. Following the release of a 1971 live album “Hello I’m Not Johnny Cash” Linton received multiple national nominations from the CMA and ACM. Subsequent hits included the 1986 novelty song, “Santa Got A DWI,” an anti-drunk driving song that hit the charts and has become a Christmas favorite. A member of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, the South Dakota Musicians Hall of Fame, and the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame, Sherwin continues to gig tirelessly with his Country – Rock-A-Billy Band, thrilling crowds with his warm smile and hot music.

Lanky the Clown (aka Danny Kollaja) will bring over 25 years of clowning experience to the fairgrounds. Lanky the Clown has performed at countless county and state fairs and festivals across North America to International Fairs (Japan). He has repeatedly toured Russia and Guatemala, and has toured Afghanistan and Cambodia as part of an International Coalition of Clowns put together by renowned Medical Doctor, Patch Adams - yes the same Patch from the famed movie. Lanky the Clown will bring many smiles and lots of laughter to fairgoers as he provides both comedy walk around acts (sometimes on stilts) and when he performs on the McDonald's Free Stage. We're happy to have Lanky the Clown be part of the 2008 Central States Fair.

The Younger Brothers Band began in high school as a simple party band, but has quickly turned into the most popular band in Wyoming. The band consists of founding members Chancey Williams and Travis DeWitt of Moorcroft, Wyoming, and Nick Schofield of Gillette, Wyoming. The band tragically lost their fourth member, Gabe Springsteen of Saratoga, Wyoming, on August 11th, 2006, in a single vehicle accident. He will be sorely missed by all. The band continues to play on, however, putting on an exciting stage show playing everything from 60’s rock to new country hits, including their own music from their debut album, ‘Road Between the Rodeos.’

Nick plays and sings a variety of music including country, classic rock, pop, and oldies, which appeal to a wide variety of audiences. He has been performing for audiences for the past 10 years, and have played with well-known local bands such as Faded Blue and Colt 45. His background and experience includes performing for a member of President Bush’s Cabinet, Tommy Thompson and He was invited twice to perform for the National Boys Club benefit in Sioux City, Iowa. Additionally, he’s been asked to perform with well-known acts such as Ricochet, The Drifters, Merle Haggard, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Exile, Regina Regina, and others. In 2004 he attended the American Modeling and Talent Convention in Charleston, South Carolina, as one of the nations top 600 entertainers, where he took 1st Place overall for Top Male Vocalist. I also took 1st place in the Colgate Country Showdown in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and was invited to compete in the Regional Showdown. And most recently, he competed for the TV show American Idol and he was asked to perform for a benefit put on by the American Red Hat Society.

Morning Animal Kevin Phillips from Magic 93.9 Radio will be on the McDonalds Free Stage, Saturday, August 23rd at 6pm.

He'll sing songs from Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, The Beatles, Johnny Cash and some of his own award winning song parodies.