Oak Ridge Boys, Old Dominion, Lecrae to perform on SEMO District Fair stage

This year's SEMO District Fair grandstand will feature the best of both worlds: something old and something new.

The Oak Ridge Boys will be back in Cape Girardeau on Thursday, bringing their decades-spanning repertoire, and Nashville, Tennessee, up-and-comers Old Dominion will showcase their country-radio hits Wednesday.

The Oak Ridge Boys' history goes back so far singer Richard Sterban recently published a book about what it's been like to perform with artists as far back as Elvis Presley, which he did before he joined the Oak Ridge Boys. He and his band since have written their own chapter in country-music history.

"I wanted to be part of [the Oak Ridge Boys]," he said. "And I think history has kind of proven I made a good choice ... because we've had just such a great career."

Since then, the band has enjoyed the privilege of playing with people they regard as heroes, such as Kenny Rogers, and people who regard them as heroes, such as Blake Shelton.

Old Dominion will perform Wednesday at the SEMO District Fair.Dove Shore

"When you get someone like Blake Shelton saying that, that is really remarkable," Sterban said.

The Oak Ridge Boys were among the last groups to record with Merle Haggard before his death earlier this year.

"To do that song ['Sweet Jesus'] and record with him before he passed away was just really special," Sterban said.

While Old Dominion hasn't been around as long as the Oak Ridge Boys, it, too, has racked up an impressive collaboration record, writing songs for country stars such as Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney and Shelton.

"That's what we moved to Nashville to do, is write songs," singer Matthew Ramsey said. "So it's an amazing feeling for an artist like that to record it."

Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae will perform Tuesday at the SEMO District Fair.Submitted photo

He said at first, playing as a band was a tool the members used for songwriting.

"We were just friends, and it was just to go play what we've written," he said. "You know, and an extra 40 bucks here or there."

But while it helped their songwriting, it also caught an audience on the radio. The band's first hit single, "Break Up With Him," was certified platinum.

"It's really amazing for radio, especially country radio, to embrace our music," Ramsey said. "That's what allows us to carry on."

He said when the group writes songs, they don't try to write "for" themselves or another artist, instead striving to make songs that resonate on their own merit.

"You try to just write good songs, and hopefully it's something that's realistic," he said. "You're just always looking for people, talking to people. Sometimes it's about your life; sometimes it's about your friend's life. Sometimes it turns into the song."

Both Old Dominion and the Oak Ridge Boys said their Cape Girardeau shows will offer something for the dedicated fan as well as the causal country listener.

"We're going to play all of our hits," Ramsey said.

Tickets for Old Dominion are $25, and the show begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Tickets for the Oak Ridge Boys are $25 and $35, and the show begins at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Additionally, Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae will perform on the grandstand at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets for his show are $50 and $35.

To purchase concert tickets, call the fair office at (573) 334-9250 or visit semofair.com. Tickets purchased in advance will include gate admission to the fair.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627

Pertinent address:

Arena Park, Cape Girardeau, Mo.