GJCF added to Hootie and the Blowfish anniversary tour

     The Great Jones County Fair is excited to announce its final night of concert entertainment for the 2019 season.

     Hootie and the Blowfish with special guest Barenaked Ladies will be performing on Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. on the fair’s website.

     Next summer marks the 25^th anniversary of Hootie’s most popular album release, “Cracked Rear View.” That album brought about such iconic hits as “Hold My Hand, “Let Her Cry,” “Only Wanna Be With You,” and “Running From an Angel.”

     To commemorate the 25^th anniversary, Hootie and the Blowfish are planning a once-in-a-lifetime reunion tour: “Group Therapy Tour.” That tour includes two stops in Iowa: the Great Jones County Fair on July 19, and the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 18.

     This is a special occasion for the GJCF, with nothing like this before.

     “We’re just that good,” said Fair Manager John Harms. “It’s a unique opportunity. We’re very lucky to be part of this with the Iowa State Fair.”

     On Dec. 3, Hootie announced its nationwide reunion tour with several appearances on early morning and late night talk shows.

     Tickets for all venues listed on the schedule go on sale the same date and time, Dec. 7.

     “There’s a lot of national media helping to support the tour,” remarked Harms. “This is a one and done event.”

     In 2008, lead Hootie singer Darius Rucker transitioned into a solo country music career. Harms said he would assume some of those country hits might pop up in their set.

     “Cracked Rear View is still one of the largest-selling CDs of all genres of all time,” Harms said of the popularity. “Darius has had a solid career.”

     “Cracked Rear View” remains the fifth most certified studio album in music history.

     The Group Therapy Tour kicks off in May 2019 in North Carolina, and concludes in September in South Carolina. The Hootie band members met while attending college at the University of South Carolina. Next year will mark the band’s first full tour in over a decade.

     In addition to a tour, Hootie and the Blowfish will also release its new, sixth studio album. They hope to have a new single out by the spring.

     Barenaked Ladies released their first full CD, “Gordon,” in 1992. It wasn’t until 1998 when their album “Stunt” showcased the hit “One Week” that the band made a name for themselves.

     Make sure to visit www.greatjonescountyfair.com at 10 a.m. on Dec. 7 to purchase your tickets. Track tickets (standing room only) are $73. Seated amphitheater and hillside are $63.