5 Bands to See at the Williamson County Fair

The Williamson County Fair kicks off Aug 4th and runs through the 12th at the Ag Expo Center, 4215 Long Ln # 100, Franklin, TN 37064. While you’re planning your time at the fair, make sure one of these music acts is on your agenda.

Admission to the fair:

Adults: $7 at the gate.
Children ages 6 – 12: $4 at the gate.
Children ages 5 and under are free.

Learn more about the Williamson County Fair here.

1. Dugger Band

Aug 5, 8pm
On the Vanderbilt Health Stage

Music has always held a special place in the lives of brothers Jordan and Seth Dugger. The CMA Recording Artists, who front Dugger Band, say that it’s a part of their inner fabric.

“We grew up in East Tennessee surrounded by a musical family,” recalls Jordan, who learned guitar from listening to records by Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs and Brad Paisley as a kid. There were also other musical styles that captivated them, with Pop icons Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake ranking among artists who helped shape their love for music.

Still relative newcomers, Dugger Band has played to audiences near and far. They moved to Music City a couple of years ago, and quickly made a name for themselves on the downtown circuit, becoming popular acts at Tootsie’s and The Wildhorse Saloon.

Both Jordan and Seth sing and play various instruments on their 2014 debut release Fly, which was very much a hands-on album for the brothers, with Jordan writing all the songs on the recording. Those songs have kept fans of all ages entertained. Their energetic live show has earned them slots opening for artists such as Craig Morgan and Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Daniels. They continue to hone their craft by playing nearly 200 shows a year and were recently honored with an invitation to become members of The Country Music Association. The two have also been hard at work on their brand new EP – due for release in the Summer of 2017. Both members of the duo had a hand in writing each of the tracks on the record.

With a new single set to hit radio this Summer, Dugger Band is ready to take their music nationwide. Seth spoke of the brothers’ excitement about this huge step in their career. “We can’t wait for the radio tour to start, and we look forward to meeting new people all across the country. We’re thankful that God lets us live our dream each and every day.”

2. 5 Points Swing

Aug 7, 8pm
Vanderbilt Health Stage

“It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing” – 5 POINTS SWING, Middle Tennessee’s Premier Swing Band, is a 20 piece band which includes two powerful vocalists. The band was established in November of 2011 and is led by saxophonist Matt Jablonka. The name “5 Points Swing” was derived from the popular 5 Points Intersection in downtown Franklin, TN. As a 501c3 Non-profit organization, the mission of 5 Points Swing is to preserve and share the great music of the big band and swing era.

Comprised of seasoned musicians and powerful vocalists, 5 Points Swing re-creates the swingin’ sounds of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and many more big band and swing era favorites. Some of the bands signature tunes are: Sway; Blue Moon; For Sentimental Reasons; At Last; Night Train; Can’t Stop Lovin’ You; Sugar Blues; In the Mood and Orange Colored Sky.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy Middle Tennessee’s Premier Swing Band. Bring your dancing shoes and prepare to be transported to the swingin’ days of great dance music!

3. Gary West – Johnny Cash Tribute

Aug 10, 8pm
Vanderbilt Health Stage

With nearly 30 years of experience working beside many of the legends of country music including Tommy Cash, Little Jimmy Dickens, Del Reeves, and other Opry greats, Gary West has a unique perspective and a strong reverence for the timeless music he grew up with. In addition to his many years performing on the world famous Grand Ole Opry, he has also toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.

West has developed a remarkable show which is a tribute to Johnny Cash and the legends of country music, including, remembering Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings. With his uncanny ability to channel not only the spirit but also the sound of these legends, West brings their music alive on stage every night with some of his own versions and amazing impromptu impersonations of Ray Charles, John Conlee, to Hank Hill and Edith Bunker. You never know what is to come, but you can bet it will be fun and entertaining. His audience is full of an interesting mix of longtime classic country fans and a whole new generation, who are excited to discover this enduring music for the first time.

4. Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist – Cody Ray Slaughter

Aug 11, 8pm
Vanderbilt Health Stage

Back again, and always a crowd favorite…..Elvis Presley Enterprises Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest winner, Cody Ray Slaughter will treat you with a first class tribute to the King of Rock and Roll, and you’ll be amazed by what you see and hear!

5. The Swon Brothers

Aug 12, 8pm
Vanderbilt Health Stage

The Swon Brothers gained notoriety as finalists on NBC’s “The Voice,” in 2013 and released their major-label debut, THE SWON BROTHERS, on October 14, 2014, putting their stamp on the 11-song collection by co-producing with award-winning producer Mark Bright. The album’s first single “Later On” was the duo’s first Top 15 HIT.

In 2014 Zach and Colton received a CMA Award nomination for “Vocal Duo of the Year.” They received an ACM Award nomination for “Vocal Duo of the Year” followed by a CMT Music Award nomination for “Duo Video of the Year” in 2015 and also opened for Brad Paisley on his Country Nation World Tour earlier that year. In January of 2016 the brothers surprised their fans with a brand new EP called TIMELESS, which hit the #2 spot on the Country iTunes chart just hours after its release, and debuted at #19 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart. On January 30, 2016 they kicked off their first show in Jacksonville, Florida on Carrie Underwood’s “Storyteller Tour,” which toured arenas across the U.S. and Canada and wrapped on November 28th. Earlier that summer the brothers played a slate of their own “Swoncerts” nationwide. On March 17th of this year, Zach and Colton released their new EP, PRETTY COOL SCARS, which was produced by Brad Hill (Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne). The debut single “Don’t Call Me” was released on iTunes on February 24th and is also at country radio.

Honored with the Rising Star award by the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2013, the Muskogee, OK, natives have been charming fans with their incredible sibling harmonies and fun-loving personalities since childhood.