Have The Molly Ringwalds lost their mojo?

One of the most popular cover bands of the past five years, The Molly Ringwalds, is playing the Pensacola Interstate Fair. For years, the Mobile 80’s Tribute band has been the go-to act that guaranteed crowds for both Seville and Capt’n Fun. Will their magic work for the funnel-cake crowd of the Fair? Or this is a sign the band has lost its mojo?

Press Release – Anything Goes when country singer/songwriter Randy Houser takes the stage at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21. Houser first made a name for himself in country music by penning hit tunes for artists such as Trace Adkins, Justin Moore and Jessie James, among others. It wasn’t long before he began his own ascent up the charts as a recording artist with songs like the rowdy “Boots On,” which rocketed to #2 on the Country charts. Along with multiple award nominations, Houser was also named Country Aircheck’s No. #1 New Country Artist in terms of airplay for 2009. With his sophomore album, They Call Me Cadillac, Houser proves through songs like the foot-stomping “Whistlin’ Dixie” and the blues-drenched “Somewhere South of Memphis” that he deserves to stand out from his peers.

Get ready to break out those old parachute pants and funky dance moves when MC Hammer makes his Fair appearance at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22. Most will remember Hammer from his 90s Top 10 hit “U Can’t Touch This” from his sophomore album Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em, which became the first hip-hop album to earn diamond status. Widely considered the first “mainstream” rapper, Hammer has continued to entertain and release albums and singles for over two decades, with his newest single, “See Her Face (She Got It)”, having been released in February of this year. With three Grammy wins, eight American Music Award wins, multiple Top 40 singles, and over 50 million records sold worldwide, he has proven himself to be a world-class entertainer.

Local Bands will have a chance to showcase their talent on Sunday, Oct. 23. Be sure to come and support your favorite Pensacola act as shows are held throughout the day beginning at noon. A schedule of bands performing will be released at a later date.

If you’re looking for traditional, unapologetic country, then look no further than Craig Campbell, who takes the stage at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Influenced by Travis Tritt, this Georgia native sings with a straightforward and powerful voice about down-to-earth portraits of real people from the American heartland. His self-titled debut album blends his no-nonsense vocal style with solid, salt-of-the-earth songs about America’s working class and a classic sense of wordplay. Expect to hear songs such as his first hit single “Family Man” and the recently released “Fish.”

With their righteous outfits and totally awesome makeup, The Molly Ringwalds will be sending the Fair back to the 80s at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Hailing from Sheffield, England, this quintet has been able to combine their individual and very formidable talents to create the true essence of the most radical decade ever. With a setlist of songs ranging from Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” to Madonna’s “Material Girl,” The Molly Ringwalds will have you thinking you’re back in the decade of big hair and neon.

Country sweetheart Sunny Sweeney will be bringing her brassy, retro style to the Fair at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. Born in East Texas, Sweeney first pursued a career in comedy before she decided, with some encouragement from friends, to choose a career in singing instead. Her new album, Concrete, has produced singles such as the U.S. Country Top 10 hit “From a Table Away,” which also became the highest charting Billboard debut single from a female country artist in four years.

The Fair will be rocking on Friday, Oct. 28 when Billboard Music Award winning and two-time Grammy-nominated alternative rock band Skillet takes the stage at 9 p.m. Formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996, Skillet has released 8 major albums, the most popular one being Awake released in 2009. Two songs from this album, “Hero” and “Monster,” were featured as theme songs in two WWE events and on the WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 video game soundtrack, while the song “Awake and Alive” was featured on the soundtrack for the blockbuster movie Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Skillet has toured with many other well-known bands such as Breaking Benjamin, Seether, and Theory of a Deadman, and their Fair appearance comes in the midst of their national “Awake and Alive” tour.

Easton Corbin will round out the Fair’s country performances when his music takes you back to simpler times at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. Influenced by country legends such as Merle Haggard and George Strait, Corbin blends steel guitars and fiddles with his baritone drawl to create traditional sounds that are uniquely his own. Born and raised in rural Gilchrist County, Florida, just west of Gainesville, Corbin was introduced to country music at a young age by watching shows like “Hee Haw” and “Opry Live,” and he began taking guitar lessons at age fourteen. His self-titled debut album, released in 2010, features the two Number One hits “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It.”

To help bring a close to the 2011 Fair fun, Local Bands will once again be entertaining starting at noon on Sunday, Oct. 30. Be sure to enjoy the last day of the Fair by supporting local acts performing throughout the day. A schedule of bands performing will be released at a later date.

“The Fair is a unique – one of a kind – form of entertainment, one that provides activities and excitement for the entire family. Many hours have gone into carefully planning and providing a spectacular experience of fun and enjoyment for everybody – regardless of age. You bring the family and we’ll bring the fun,” said Don Frenkel, Pensacola Interstate Fair General Manager.

All performances are located on the Pepsi Open Air Stage. Entertainment shows at the Pensacola Interstate Fair are free with the price of admission.