Contact: Robin Noelle, Director of Publicity Sonoma County Fair Phone: (707) 545-4200 ext 202 Email: [email protected]

Huey Lewis and The News Returns to Sonoma County Fair Local Rock Favorite Performs August 9th for Fair’s 75th Anniversary

SANTA ROSA, Calif – May 13, 2011 – The Sonoma County Fairgrounds announced today that Huey Lewis and The News will perform in the Headline Concert Series during the 2011 Sonoma County Fair, July 27-August 14 (closed Mondays). Huey Lewis and The News has sold more than 20 million albums and was a Grammy winner and Academy Award nominee for “The Power of Love,” a song written for the film, Back to the Future. The group also won a Best Music Video Grammy for "Heart of Rock & Roll" and then a collaborative Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "We Are The World".

A few of Huey Lewis and the News’ top ten singles include "Do You Believe In Love", "Heart And Soul", "I Want A New Drug", "The Heart of Rock & Roll", "If This Is It", "Hip To Be Square", "I Know What I Like", "Doing It All For My Baby" and "Perfect World". The band will perform on August 9th at 7:30 pm in the Chris Beck Arena. This concert marks the band’s first appearance at the Sonoma County Fair since 1982.

The band’s most recent album, Soulsville, is its first new release in nine years. Released in November, 2010, the CD features 14 songs originally recorded by the legendary Stax label out of Memphis. For the album, Huey Lewis and The News perform hits from artists such as “Wicked” Wilson Pickett, Johnny Taylor, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, the Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes and Rufus Thomas.

Headline concerts require a separate ticket purchase in addition to General Admission to the Fair. Tickets are $25 for reserved grandstand seating; $40 for reserved floor seats and can be purchased at the Sonoma County Fair Box Office beginning Saturday, May 14. Fair general admission tickets can be purchased before the Fair (through July 26) for $7; $9 at the gate. The Sonoma County Fairgrounds Box Office will be open 9 am – 4 pm on May 14th and 8 am – 4:30 pm on May 16th. Event tickets will be available online on May 16th after 8 a.m.

This year’s Sonoma County Fair is themed “Diamond Jubilee” and is the 75th anniversary celebration. To commemorate the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Sonoma County Fair has plans to celebrate the past 75 years of fairs and showcase the major highlights including the past 25 years in the Hall of Flowers. More information on the 75th Anniversary celebration will be posted as details are available on the Fair’s website: www.sonomacountyfair.com.

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