For the Reporter
The pop music industry is bringing heavy hitters in the Radio Disney, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter arenas with Cody Simpson, Coco Jones, Emblem3, and MKTO performing at the Washington State Fair.
It will be a homecoming for Emblem3, who grew up in Sequim
The Cody Simpson/Coco Jones/Emblem3/MKTO concert is 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10, part of the Washington State Fair’s Columbia Bank Concert Series.
Tickets are $55 for infield general admission seating, and $45 for grandstand general admission seating and include Fair gate admission. Tickets will start selling at 10 a.m. Saturday on the fair website, or by phone at 888-559-FAIR (3247) daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tickets also can be purchased in person at the fair’s box office at 9th Avenue Southwest and Meridian Street on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a $1 per ticket service fee will be charged for on-site purchases.
Cody Simpson
In April 2010, Simpson released his debut single, “iYiYi” (featuring Flo Rida) and began to win over U.S. fans with a series of dynamic live performances including 2010. Simpson and his family soon relocated from Queensland, Australia to Los Angeles. Atlantic released his debut EP, 4 U, in December, which spawned the No. 1 Radio Disney hit “All Day.”
In September 2011, Simpson made a stunning chart debut with Coast to Coast, which entered Billboard’s album chart at No. 12 and earned Simpson his second Radio Disney No. 1, “On My Mind.” The “On My Mind” companion video — directed by Travis Kopach (Panic! At The Disco, 3OH!3, Boys Like Girls) — is also a certified YouTube blockbuster with over 18 million views. Simpson has nearly 5 million Twitter followers and nearly five million Facebook likes, in addition to 150 million YouTube views on his official channel, Cody Simpson Music.
His new album, Surfers Paradise shows how the artist is evolving. This 16-year-old singer, songwriter and musician achieved just what he wanted in this album, showing fans how he is growing in the music industry by co-writing every song on the album.
Emblem 3
Sequim was the home of brothers Keaton (16) and Wesley (19) Stromberg, and lifelong friend Drew Chadwick (20). At first, Wesley and Drew were rivals, both quarterbacking different football teams, and playing guitar in separate bands. The rivals ended up becoming friends, while watching 9-year-old Drew as he wrote poetry in the form of raps. Down the road, the three came together as Emblem3, as it struck the trio as something classic and symbolic, eternal.
They moved to California, and Drew and Wesley started to get heavily involved with the local extreme sports scene, including surfing and snowboarding. Along the way they began building a fan base, and soon won the tip prize in Rock N’ Road’s Orange County Battle of the Bands. They auditioned for X Factor, wowing Simon Cowell with their original performance of “Sunset Blvd.” While they didn’t win the competition, they amassed 15 million YouTube views and an international fan base. Singles “XOXO,” “Just For One Day,” and lead single “Chloe (You’re The One That I Want)” has gained incredible attention.
MKTO
MKTO is a musical duo made up of Malcolm Kelley and Tony Otter. Their debut single, “Thank You” was released in January 2013, and is a crossover between pop and hip hop. The song’s musical video was released on YouTube and VEVO, and realized over 500,000 views in two days. The song attained commercial success, reaching the top ten on the singles charts of Australia and New Zealand. Their second single and video, “Classic” was released on June 20.
MKTO’s self-titled debut album was just released on April 1. The music video for the third single and first track, “God Only Knows,” was released last November on YouTube and VEVO. By February of this year, their debut album went to #1 in Australia, and #6 in New Zealand.
Coco Jones
Courtney “Coco” Jones was born in Columbia, S.C., and raised in Lebanon, Tenn., getting started in the music industry at an early age. She first performed “America the Beautiful” to a packed audience at her kindergarten graduation at six years old. By nine, she met with the casting heads for Disney, and soon became an actress and songwriter. In 2005 Jones performed the National Anthem at two NFL games.
In 2006 she competed on Radio Disney’s The Next BIG Thing, where she was known for her song, “Real You.” This step launched her musical career. Her self-titled debut CD in 2010 led her to her concert series, UBU-STOP THE BULLYING. Her songs embraced a platform of positive values and strong self-esteem. She is best known for the film, Let It Shine. Her song, “Real You” has been featured on-air on Radio Disney. Jones’ debut single, “Holla at the DJ” premiered on Radio Disney on Dec. 6, with its release on iTunes the next day.
Updates
More acts will be announced in the coming months for the Columbia Bank Concert Series. Visit www.thefair.com/concerts for updates, or sign up at www.thefair.com to receive email or text announcements prior to the concert on-sale dates.
======
STATE FAIR ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP
Date, performance, time, prices
• Sept. 5: Justin Playoffs Rodeo, 1 p.m. Friday matinee, $5*/$18
• Sept. 5: Clay Walker concert following rodeo (country), 6:30 p.m., $50 (Golden Saddle), $40, $30, $40 (standing in the dirt)
• Sept. 6: Justin Playoffs Rodeo 1 p.m. Saturday matinee, $30, $20, $16
• Sept. 6: Colt Ford concert following rodeo (country), 6:30 p.m., $35 (Golden Saddle), $25, $20, $30 (standing in the dirt)
• Sept. 7: Justin Playoffs Rodeo, Puyallup Finals, 1 p.m., $35, $25, $20
• Sept. 8: Jennifer Nettles That Girl Tour 2014, (country), 7:30 p.m., $75 (Golden Saddle), $50, $40, $30
• Sept. 9: Chicago/REO Speedwagon (classic rock), 7:30 p.m., $80 (Golden Circle), $50, $40. Pre-show dinner: $55**
• Sept. 10: Cody Simpson/Emblem3/MKTO/Coco Jones (pop), 5:30 p.m., $55 (Golden Circle), $35, $30, $20.
• Sept. 12: Fall Out Boy with Special Guest New Politics (pop), 7:30 p.m., $55 (infield general admission), $45 grandstand general admission
• Sept. 13: An Evening with Keith Urban, “Light the Fuse Tour” (country), 7:30 p.m., $100 (Golden Circle), $80, $40. Pre-show dinner: $55**
• Sept. 15: Florida Georgia Line (country), 7:30 p.m., $90 (Golden Circle), $70, $40, “Shine On” Pre-Show Party $30
• Sept. 17: Michael W. Smith/Amy Grant (Christian), 7:30 p.m., $50 (Golden Circle), $40, $30
• Sept. 18: Jeff Dunham (comedy), 7:30 p.m., $75 (Golden Circle), $50, $40. Pre-show dinner: $55**
• Sept. 2: Toby Keith, “Shut Up and Hold On” Tour, (country), 7:30 p.m., $100, $80, $40, “Red Cup” Pre-Show Party: $30**
* Friday 1 p.m. rodeo does not include Fair gate admission. Gates are open free from 10 a.m.-noon.
** Pre-show dinner does not include Fair gate admission or concert ticket.
