Press Release

April 8, 2004
For more information,
contact Lori Cox, 727-8900

"BIG BRAND JAM"
Ticket Sales Kick-off Event for 2004 Montana State Fair
Garth Brooks Prodigy, Ty England, to Perform;
Final State Fair Concert Announced

Great Falls—On Friday, May 21, music fans waiting to buy Montana State Fair concert tickets will be rewarded for their patience. Ty England, Garth Brooks' lead guitar player and hit-maker with the song "Should've Asked Her Faster" will open State Fair ticket sales at the Four Seasons Arena in a first-ever event, the "BIG BRAND JAM."
"We're jump-starting ticket sales with a party," said an enthusiastic Bill Ogg, general manager for Montana ExpoPark. "Fans who come to hear Ty England will have the first crack at buying State Fair concert tickets, and they'll receive a $5 discount toward any concert or concert package," he said. "Your best shot at getting good seats this year is to come party with us May 21."
Central Montana Radio Network and Marson Productions are co-sponsoring the event. "This is a terrific idea for music fans of all kinds," said Skip Walters, DJ for Central Montana's AM station, KMON-560. "The Ty England tickets will be numbered. At concert intermission we'll pull one of the ticket numbers out of a hat. That lucky person will be the first one to purchase State Fair concert tickets. Everyone else falls in line chronologically according to the number on their ticket stub." Sales to the general public begin the next morning, May 22, 8 a.m at the Four Seasons Box Office.
After a hiatus as a new dad, country music's Ty England is re-establishing his solo music career. The years he spent in Garth Brooks' band as Brooks' lead guitarist and his own experience as a solo artist gave England a solid idea of what he wanted from his new album. "I put the best team together and that included getting my buddy Garth to produce this thing," he said.
Newcomer Kimberlee opens for the show May 21. Her soul-driven sound is reminiscent of Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan. The soul-pop music artist just released her new album, What Am I Gonna Do, and is best known for her performances at the U.S. Olympics, professional sports and national festivals.

Carolyn Dawn Johnson Added to State Fair Line-up
This year's State Fair line-up includes ZZ Top, Stacie Orrico and the "Country Six-Pack" made of Lonestar, Charlie Daniels Band, Chris Cagle, Keith Urban, the Wednesday night performance of PRCA Rodeo, and -- just announced -- Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
A native of northern neighbor Alberta, Johnson's hit single “Simple Life” propelled her to eight Canadian Country Music Awards, including CCMA honors as the 2001 and 2002 Female Artist of the Year. Prior to performing with Reba McEntire in the "Girls Night Out" tour, she was the 2000 Music Row Magazine Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year. A new album, Dress Rehearsal, is due out May 4.

Tickets on Sale
"BIG BRAND JAM" tickets go on sale April 17 with all reserved seating for $15. A "BIG BRAND" ticket stub counts as a $5 coupon and can be utilized until the opening date of the Fair, July 30; one coupon per ticket/package. Contact the Four Seasons Box Office to purchase tickets at 406-727-1481, or go online at www.montanastatefair.com for more information and State Fair ticket prices.