State Fair Concerts Complement “CNY Rising” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
Legendary rock band Grand Funk Railroad brings its American Band tour of classic hits to the Chevrolet Music Festival at the New York Experience Stage at 7 p.m. opening night, Wednesday, August 21. Admission on opening day is $1 and all performances are free of charge.
“You’ve got to make time to see this American Band because they are Some Kind of Wonderful. Let’s get all of our classic rock fans Closer To Home, so fly, swim or even use Locomotion if you have to, but just get here because they’re coming to our town,” said Fair Director Troy Waffner.
Grand Funk Railroad is one of a diverse slate of more than two dozen shows by national touring groups that will take place at Chevy Court and on the Experience Stage in the New York Experience festival grounds, including, at Chevy Court:
• Bad Company, 8 p.m., August 21
• Lindsey Stirling, 8 p.m., August 23
• Dropkick Murphys, 8 p.m., August 25
• Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone, 2 p.m., August 26
• Midland, 8 p.m., August 26
• Why Don’t We, 2 p.m., August 29
• Granger Smith, 8 p.m., August 30
In addition, Rick Springfield will perform on the Experience Stage at 7 p.m., August 31.
Chevrolet sponsors the performances on both stages.
Accelerating CNY Rising
Today’s announcement complements “Central NY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $5.6 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.
Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.
Founded in 1841, the Great New York State Fair is America’s first state fair and the largest in the East. The Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture and provides top-quality entertainment. The 2019 Fair runs from August 21 to September 2. Information about the Fair can be found here.
About Grand Funk Railroad
“You cannot talk about rock in the 1970s without talking about Grand Funk Railroad!”
David Fricke, Rolling Stone Magazine.
Originating from Flint, Michigan in 1969, this top selling American rock group of the 70’s is “comin’ to your town to help you party it down.” Grand Funk Railroad is extremely excited to be touring in 2019, marking a 50-year milestone. After playing to millions of fans on the band’s tours from 1996 to 2018, Grand Funk’s 2019 American Band Tour will continue to reach both new and long-time fans.
Known as “The American Band,” the high-energy five-piece group will play forty shows all over the USA this year. Grand Funk Railroad includes original founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, “We’re An American Band”) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The God Of Thunder.” Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.” Singer Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned and sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co-founder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.” Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 years with KISS and has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) Keyboardist Tim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,” his credits include stints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and English soul man Robert Palmer.
Grand Funk laid the groundwork for such bands as Foreigner, Journey, Van Halen and Bon Jovi with its signature hard driving sound, soulful vocals, muscular instrumentation and forceful pop melodies. The fact that Grand Funk’s legacy still reigns over the classic rock landscape fifty years after its 1969 birth in Flint, Michigan is a testament to the group’s influence and staying power. Mega-hits “We’re An American Band,” “I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home,” “Locomotion” and “Some Kind Of Wonderful” still receive continuous airplay on classic rock radio. “We’re An American Band” has received notoriety in recent years being used in movie soundtracks and in television/radio advertising. The huge hit was featured in a General Motors national TV ad campaign and in Disney’s animated feature film “The Country Bears.” “We’re An American Band” was featured in the Cuba Gooding Jr. film “Radio” and in the swashbuckler “Sahara” starring Matthew McConaughey.
Internationally acclaimed Grand Funk has toured the world, selling out in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and South America. A 1971 performance at New York’s Shea Stadium sold out faster than the Beatles. The group’s widespread appeal is also evident in its prestigious recording achievements. Over their career, Grand Funk has had 19 charted singles, eight Top 40 hits and two Number One singles (“We’re An American Band” and “Locomotion,” both selling more than one million each). The group has now accumulated 13 gold and 10 platinum records with record sales exceeding 25 million copies sold worldwide. The most recent gold CD award was presented to the band for their greatest hits package, “Grand Funk Railroad the Collectors Series.”
The multi-talented band carries on the tradition of Grand Funk hits and creates a new chapter in the legacy of Grand Funk Railroad. Grand Funk Railroad drew 25,000 people to their Molson Canal Series Concert outside of Buffalo, 20,000 in Albany, New York, and 20,000 fans to downtown Orlando, Florida. EMI/Capitol (Universal Music) released a new Grand Funk greatest hits package that includes a bonus DVD of rare concert footage. Grand Funk’s 2018 tour was a huge success and now, with the group’s 2019 American Band Tour, seasoned Grand Funk lovers and contemporary rock fans discovering the group for the first time will be able to celebrate 50 years of funk with Grand Funk Railroad!
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