Black Hills Energy Concert Series

The Central States Fair is delighted to announce that John Michael Montgomery and Lonestar are taking the stage on Saturday, August 24 to close out the 2024 Black Hills Energy Concert Series .

John Michael Montgomery’s rich baritone has carried that most important of assets—believability. The hits followed steadily, with songs like "Rope The Moon," "If You've Got Love," "No Man's Land," "Cowboy Love," "As Long As I Live," "Friends," and "How Was I To Know" establishing him as one of the elite acts of the era.

Joining John Michael Montgomery on the stage is the “TEN to 1” record, award-winning band, Lonestar. The band is celebrating 30 years of big career milestones, which started back in 1996 with the band's second single, the rock-edged "No News," and the following year's tender "Come Cryin' to Me" and “Everything’s Changed.”

"We're absolutely thrilled to have two legendary artists like John Michael Montgomery and Lonestar headlining this year," says Fair Manager Ron Jeffries. "Their performances are expected to be highlights of the event, and we can't wait for everyone to experience the magic they'll bring to the stage."

Scotty McCreery has been a household name for nearly half his life, ever since making history in 2011 as both the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, the Platinum-certified Clear as Day, at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. McCreery has now sold more than 4 million albums and achieved five consecutive No.1 hits with “Damn Strait,” “You Time,” “In Between,” “This is It,” and ‘Five More Minutes.” His current single “Cab in a Solo,” which McCreery co-wrote, is currently topping the charts!

The North Carolina native has earned one Triple Platinum, five Platinum and four Gold singles; one Platinum and two Gold albums; was named the ACM New Artist of the Year in 2011; won the CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year (“The Trouble with Girls”) in 2012; and BMI Awards for writing one of the Top 50 Country Songs of the Year five times (in 2015 for “See You Tonight,” in 2018 for “Five More Minutes,” in 2019 for “This is It,” in 2021 for “In Between,” and in 2022 for “You Time”).

“Scotty McCreery is one of the artists that we receive the most requests for”” says Fair Manager Ron Jeffries. “We can’t wait to roll out the Central States Fair red carpet, and anticipate a great crowd for this Friday night experience.”

Born Tramar Dillard, Flo Rida was raised by a single mother in Miami’s rough neighborhood of Carol City, Florida, but music helped him stay on the straight path. His father was a talented musician who encouraged his son to express himself through music. Growing up, Flo Rida was exposed to all kinds of music, thanks in large part to his sisters, some of whom formed a local gospel group. When he was a teenager, Flo Rida found local success rapping with a local group, Groundhoggz. At 18, he become the hype man for Fresh Kid Ice from 2 Live Crew. Eventually, Flo Ride caught the attention of DeVante Swing and spent a few years in Los Angeles working with him. Flo Rida returned home to Miami in late 2006 and hooked up with Poe Boy Entertainment and its CEO, Eric “E-Class” Prince.

That same year Flo Rida inked a deal with Atlantic Records and in 2009 started his own management company, Strong Arm, with longtime friend and manager, Lee “Freezy” Prince. This collaboration led to five successful album releases, resulting in numerous Billboard Top 10 hits including “Right Round” (with Ke$ha), “Club Can’t Handle Me”, “Good Feeling”, “Wild Ones” and “Whistle”.

“The response to this music genre was remarkable last year.” says Fair Manager Ron Jeffries. “Our goal has always been for the Central States Fair to entertain the entire community and we’re excited to appeal to the Hip Hop audience again with Flo Rida.”