First Concert Announced and Classic Rock Fans Will Love It

The Missouri State Fair announced its first concert this morning on Facebook. And it's none other than that "little 'ol band from Texas" ZZ Top.

ZZ Top will perform at the State Fair Grandstand, presented by CFM Insurance on their Raw Whisky Tour on Wednesday night, August 17. The show is scheduled for 7:30 PM CDT with the grandstand opening at 6:30 PM.

Tickets for the general public will go on sale at 9:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, June 28 through Etix. This ticket on-sale date isn't just for ZZ Top, but for all fair shows. The Missouri State Fair Box Office will open at noon on Tuesday, June 28 for walk-up orders while supplies last.

ZZ Top will be touring in support of their new album titled "Raw" which will be released July 22, 2022 by Shelter Records/BMG on digital platforms, compact disc, and 180-gram vinyl. The band says Raw was recorded live, with the classic lineup of Gibbons, Beard and the late Dusty Hill all within sight of each other at Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. "Raw" focuses on both the band's early career and the group's hits. Both Billy and Frank explain how the album was recorded in the liner notes and is dedicated, "in righteous memory of Dusty Hill."

I've never seen ZZ Top, and while I'm disappointed I didn't see them before Dusty Hill died, I have seen Billy Gibbons and his side project band. Let me tell you if he's half as entertaining on stage with ZZ Top as he was that night expect some great compelling stories in addition to some great top-flight rock 'n' roll.

No opening act has been announced by the Fair at this time. It could be one of those things where they announce it later hoping to give show and ticket sales some legs. Not that I think this show will need it. Ann Wilson of Heart is opening for ZZ Top at the Iowa State Fair and has that date open on her tour schedule, which also doesn't at this point list her Iowa date. So that is a possibility.

If the Fair is looking for something different, may I humbly suggest Kansas City's Samantha Fish? Her latest album "Faster", and her show built around it, is the perfect mix of blues and rock, and I think fans going to see ZZ Top will just love her music. It'd make for a great night of music.

Either of these ladies joining the show would make it worth getting into the grandstand on time.