‘Mama Told Me’ to come

Three Dog Night to headline this year’s Fair entertainment.

Grand Funk Railroad may have drawn a huge crowd to last year’s Kitsap County Fair & Stampede, but Fair and Special Events Manager Frank Abbott predicts this year’s entertainment lineup will cause even more of a buzz.

Three Dog Night will take center stage at this year’s Kitsap County Fair & Stampede in August. Canadian country band Emerson Drive also will take to the stage. Both acts are sponsored by GEICO.

“Both of the acts have been received very well,” Abbott said.

From 1969 to 1974, no other group had more top 10 hits or sold more records and concert tickets than Three Dog Night, according to the band’s Web site, www.threedognight.com. With 21 consecutive Top 40 hits, Three Dog Night was one of the most popular bands in America and by late 1975 had sold nearly 50 million records, the Web site states.

Three Dog Night founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton on lead vocals as well as original keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon and guitarist Michael Allsup are scheduled to perform at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds Wednesday, Aug. 20. Paul Kingery, bass and vocals, and Pat Bautz on drums complete the band’s lineup.

Three Dog Night continues to tour extensively, performing songs like “Mama Told Me (Not To Come),” “Joy to the World,” “Shambala,” “One” and “Black and White.”

The Joey James Dean Band will open for Three Dog Night at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 20.

The five-man country band, Emerson Drive, will perform Thursday, Aug. 21 at the Fairgrounds with opening act Nathan Chance at 8:30 p.m.

Emerson Drive released its first album in 2002 and has seen continued success. The band’s fourth album, “Contrified,” was released in 2006 and boasted the band’s first No. 1 song, “Moments,” and the Top 20 hit, “A Good Man,” according to the band’s Web site, http://emersondrive.musiccitynetworks.com.

Abbott said Grand Funk Railroad and Craig Morgan drew about 7,000 people each last year, but he expects Three Dog Night and Emerson Drive to bring an even larger crowd to the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede.

“I’m expecting about 10 to 12 percent more this year for Three Dog Night and 15 percent more for Emerson Drive,” Abbott said. “I think with the climate and the economy, people are going to stay local for their entertainment.”

Reserved seating is available for both performances. Abbott said there are 500 tickets available and cost $15 each, which does not include Fair admission (Fair admission is required). Free festival seating is available with Fair admission. Tickets go on sale July 7 at the Kitsap County Facilities, Parks and Recreation office, located on Fairgrounds Road, and will be available while they last.

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