Dixon May Fair Flush with Local Musical Talent

By Brianna Boyd

Special to Dixon Patch

From the carnival rides and games to the livestock and educational displays, people can spend hours walking around and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Dixon May Fair.

No matter where visitors may be on the fairgrounds, the May Fair has ensured everyone will be able to hear some form of music at all times. For the second year, Dixon resident Fermin Rubio has coordinated the music schedule for the fair’s three stages. He has acts from Solano County, Sacramento County, Yolo County, and beyond entertaining the crowd from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on all four days of the 137th annual fair.

“It is my goal to have a fair goer come to the fair, walk around and be surrounded by music at all times,” he said. “We will have all kinds of music, from rock bands to a 30-piece orchestra. I really wanted to do the best I could to provide as much entertainment as possible to reach as many people as possible.”

The Leber Garden Stage in the center of the fairgrounds and the Pic Nic Stage near the livestock area will feature some of the most well known musical acts in the region.  Bands from Solano County scheduled to perform on one of those two stages include 48 Straight, the Delta Rockets, Aca-Daca, More on the Floor, the Rhythm Method, Marcela’s Briefcase, Buck Ford Band, Alive Music Orchestra, the Primates, Push Back, the Hip Waders, Bucktown Drive, Kafe Rico and Terry Sheets Band.

“It will be jumping,” Rubio said. “We will have bands going on at the same time on the Leber Garden Stage and the Pic Nic Stage so patrons will really have to decide where they want to plant themselves to drink a beer or soda and enjoy the music.”

Meanwhile, the Plaza Stage, near the main entrance to the fair, will be an acoustic stage. Many of those performers include singers and songwriters promoting their CDs or new music. Small choirs and school groups will also perform there throughout the fair.

“My idea is to bring people in that have never performed before and give them an opportunity to perform on the acoustic stage,” Rubio said. “It’s very rewarding for them, as far as being able to play in front of a small crowd, some for the first time.”

Rubio, a Dixon resident since 1965, has had a strong pulse on the local music community for decades. He and his friends formed the classic rock band, Stevenson Bridge, when they were in high school and they first began performing in Solano County in the 1970s. As a drummer and singer, his knowledge of the music scene led to an easy transition to his position with the May Fair.

Planning the fair’s musical entertainment takes months. He began visiting websites and connecting with bands in November. By February, he had 80 percent of his performance times booked. Altogether, over 300 bands expressed interest in performing at the May Fair, and Rubio whittled the number to 50.

Over the years, Rubio and Stevenson Bridge have performed at the May Fair more than a dozen times. They won the Battle of the Bands competition in 1977.

“That was a highlight of the year for us and this is the highlight of the year for many of these bands,” he said. “This is the oldest fair in the state and it’s a classic place to play.”

Artists performing at the 137th annual Dixon May Fair include:

McKenna Faith – Country Music singer/song writer, 17-year-old McKenna hails from Ukiah.  McKenna is an up and coming recording artist who recently went to Nashville and recorded a new album “Sugar and Spice.” Mc Kenna performs May 10th – 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm- Leber Garden Stage and May 11th -11:30 am to 1:00 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Terry Sheets Band – Terry Sheets Bands is one of the premiere Solano County bands that tours the local club circuit playing New/Rockin Country and is a sure crowd pleaser.  Terry Sheets performs May 10th – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Leber Garden Stage and May 13th – 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm – Leber Garden Stage.

Hot Rods Band – Very well known and popular band from the Bay Area that plays hits from the 50’s and 60’s, Beatles, Stones, Credence Clearwater and many more. Hot Rods Band performs May 10th – 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm- Leber Garden Stage.

Renegade – From the Sacramento area, Renegade was a 2012 KCRA A-List nominee.  Renegade is a tribute to STYX and other great rock classics such as Journey, Kansas, Edgar Winter, REO Speed Wagon, Boston and many more.  Renegade performs May 10th – 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Ted Maciel – Ted, a Dixon resident, is an accomplished acoustic singer/songwriter who sings classic rock covers. Ted Maciel performs May 10th 10:30 am to 11:30 am-Plaza Stage and 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm-Pic Nic Stage.  May 11th – 10:30 am to 11:30 am-Plaza Stage.  May 12th, 10:30 am to 11:30 am-Plaza Stage and May 13th – 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm-Plaza Stage.

Dan Sepulveda – Dan lives in Dixon as is a very entertaining performer that plays Americana/Folk music.  Dan Sepulveda performs May 10th – 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm-Plaza Stage and May 11th – 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm-Plaza Stage.

Chris Lewis – Chris is from Dixon and is an accomplished singer song writer that covers Classic Rock and Country.  Chris Lewis performs May 10th – 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm-Plaza Stage.

John Vicino – John is from South San Francisco and is one of the best up and coming recording artists around.  John is a must see and he will bring his talents to the Plaza Stage on May 10th – 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm and May 11th - 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.  John will also rock the Pic Nic Stage with his full band on May 12th – 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm.

Shadow Mountain Duo – Singer Frank Link brings Shadow Mountain Duo back to the fair this year. They were well received last year playing Americana/Folk music.  Shadow Mountain Duo performs May 10th – 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm-Pic Nic Stage and May 11th – 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm-Plaza Stage.

Aaron Reyes – Singer/songwriter Aaron Reyes was well received at last year’s fair and he will bring his great voice to the 2012 Dixon May Fair on May 10th – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm-Pic Nic Stage and May 12th – 11:30 to 1:00 pm –Plaza Stage.

Buck Town Drive –Buck Town Drive is from Solano County  and they play Classic Rock and Rockin Country.  Sure to be crown pleasers, Buck Town Drive is a main stay on the local club circuit and they perform May 10th – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm-Pic Nic Stage and May 12th – 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm-Pic Nic Stage.

Kafe Rico – This well established band hails from the Vacaville area and has been pleasing crowds for years in the Sacramento and Bay Area with their sounds of Latin, Rock, Hip Hop and Pop.  Kafe Rico performs May 10th – 8:30 to 10:30 pm –Pic Nic Stage.

48 Straight – Back by popular demand, 48 Straight are sure fire crowd pleasers mixing up Classic Rock with Rockin Country.  48 Straight performs May 11th – 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm- Leber Garden Stage and May 13th – 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Cheating Daylight – This Lake County band consists of Vacaville brothers formally known as the “Crosson Brothers” that have teamed up with another set of brothers previously with the group “The Lost Boys” to become Cheating Daylight.  Their debut album “All We Know” will be released May 1, 2012.  This teenage band of brothers brings their high energy show to the Dixon May Fair on May 11th – 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Delta Rockets – This Vacaville based band is well known for their classic rock covers, blues, R&B and Mowtown and were well received at last year’s fair.  A Solano County favorite, the Delta Rockest will not disappoint and will have you dancing before you know it.  The Delta Rockets performs May 11th -6:00 pm to 8:00 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Push Back – A Solano County favorite from Vacaville, Push Back plays Classic Rock with passion and are main stays on the local club circuit.  Push Back performs May 11th – 8:30 to 10:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Samantha Faye – Singer/Song Writer Samantha Faye is from Dixon.  This talented songwriter is reminiscent of Taylor Swift and is a must see.  Samantha will perform on May 11th – 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm-Plaza Stage, May 12th – 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm-Plaza Stage and May 13th – 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Elizabeth Edwards – An accomplished, nationally known singer song writer recording artist from Benicia with many albums to her credit, Elizabeth brings her songs of hope and inspiration to the Dixon May Fair on May 11th – 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm-Plaza Stage and May 12th – 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm-Plaza Stage.

The Hip Waders- This internationally known “kids” band plays quirky jangle pop for kids, considered the Beatles of their genre, a must see for the kids of all ages.  The Hip Waders perform May 11th – 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm-Pic Nic Stage.

Abyss Rising – Hailing from the North Bay, Abyss Rising brings their Alternative / Hip Hop and Metal sound to the Dixon May Fair on May 11th – 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm-Pic Nic Stage.

Beam – Former Dixonite Bob Martino plays with his friends in this Woodland based band that covers Classis Rock and Oldies.  Very well received in Solano County, Beam is sure to entertain everyone at this year’s Dixon May Fair on May 11th – 3:30 pm to5:00 pm-Pic Nic Stage.

Four Barrell – This veteran band plays over 200 shows a year and has been a main stay at the Dixon May Fair.  Featuring Phillop Lovejoy, one of the most talented guitar players in Northern California, Four Barrell will rock the night away with Classic Rock hits that are sure to please everyone.  Four Barrell performs on May 12th – 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Dixon Montessori Choir – This children’s school choir was well received last year and they sounded great.  The choir performs on May 12th – 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm-Plaza Stage.

Calle & Phillop – Members of the group Four Barrell, these two will get you warmed up for their full band show later the same day.  Calle & Phillop will sing acoustic versions of classic rock hits on May 12th – 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm-Plaza Stage.

Kyle Bowen – Kyle is an accomplished singer song writer and is currently the Worship Leader at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dixon.  This smooth sounding singer is a must see and will perform on  May 12th – 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm-Plaza Stage.

Alive Music Orchestra – Well received last year,  Keith Stout brings back his 30 plus piece big band Alive Music Orchestra featuring the sounds of the big band era and is a must see on May 12th – 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm-Pic Nic Stage.

Primates –This well known Classic Rock band from Solano County is one of the best around and the will bring it full bore on May 12th – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm-Pic Nic Stage.

Cornerstone Battle Of the Bands Finalists – This Battle of the Bands started in March at the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dixon and was attended by numerous bands throughout Northern California and hundreds of kids on a weekly basis.  The two finalists will perform on May 12th – 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm-Pic Nic Stage.

Marcela’s Briefcase – This Solano County based band plays the local club circuit with their classic rock/pop rock and are sure crowd pleasers and will perform on  May 11th – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm-Pic Nic Stage.

Kiss-n-Tell – Featuring singer songwriter Erica Davis, this veteran rock band from Woodlood plays the classic hits and originals with passion and will not disappoint.  Main stays of the club and casino circuit, Kiss-n-Tell will rock the night away on May 11th – 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm-Pic Nic Stage.

Conjure – This Woodland based classic rock band will bring their talents to the Dixon May Fair on May 12th – 10:00 am to 11:30 am-Leber Garden Stage.

More on the Floor –Eric Christianson, formally of the well known Four on the Floor from Dixon, has played dozens of Dixon May Fair gigs over the years and will bring his new band More on the Floor and their classic rock and oldies sound to this year’s fair on May 12th -12:00 pm to 1:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Aca-Daca- AC-DC fans will get a kick out of this AC-DC cover band that specializes in the sounds of Bon Scott.  Aca-Daca hails from the Sacramento area and their sound will take you back in time so be ready to rock.  Aca-Daca performs on May 12th – 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

The Count-This Sacramento based band are veterans of the Sacramento club circuit and they are known for their classic rock/pop covers that will get you dancing.  The Count performs on May 12th – 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Rhythm Method-  If you close your eyes, you will not believe the sound coming from this Vacaville based three piece band.  A huge crowd favorite at last year’s fair, they are a must see and they will delight you with classic rock hits and are well known for their impeccable “Steely Dan” covers.  Don’t miss them on May 12th – 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

Buck Ford Band – This Solano County singer songwriter is well known to provide a classic, memorable performance along with his Pure Country Band.  The sounds of country does not get any better than this and he is a must see.  Buck is ending a 2 month tour and will make his final stop at the Dixon May Fair on May 13th – 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm-Leber Garden Stage.

In addition to the musical entertainment planned on the three stages, the arena will play host to big name stars. Hip Hop star Snoop Dogg and special guest One Block Radius will kick off the fair’s entertainment with a May 9 concert. The English Beat and the Romantics will keep the crowd dancing on May 10, and country stars Kellie Pickler and Phil Vassar will co-headline a concert May 11. Larry the Cable Guy, a nationally known comedian and actor, will entertain on May 12 along with special guest Reno Collier.

Tickets for the concerts are now available at the Dixon May Fair Box Office, 655 South First St. in Dixon, at all TicketMaster Outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. Every concert ticket includes admission to the fair.

The Dixon May Fair will open on Thursday, May 10 and entertain thousands of visitors through Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13. The fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. all four days, with a “soft” opening planned the evening of Wednesday, May 9.   For more information, visit www.dixonmayfair.com.

Editor's note: Brianna is the editor of the