Scotty McCreery | Josh Turner
Sangamon County Fair | New Berlin, IL | Friday June 12th, 2026 at 7:30pm
The Sangamon County Fair welcomed country music fans for an evening that blended classic country tradition with modern chart-topping hits as Josh Turner and Scotty McCreery took the stage for a special dual-headlining performance. With Turner’s unmistakable deep baritone voice and McCreery’s contemporary country sound, the two artists delivered a show that appealed to multiple generations of country fans, creating a memorable night filled with singalongs, heartfelt storytelling, and plenty of country charm.
The moment the band took the stage, the energy shifted awaiting the arrival of Josh Turner. He was born and raised in South Carolina before later moving to Nashville in 2001 to pursue his music. His career got a boost after making his debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage where he performed his song “Long Black Train.” Since then, Turner has released 10 studio albums dating to his most recent release in 2024 with This Country Music Thing. His defines his sound as a blend of new traditional country, bluegrass, and gospel. He believes that God doesn’t want him to be a gospel singer, but a Christian singer because that is who he is.
He launched into a set that contained some of his well-known classics as well as more current songs from his recent albums. Turner showcased his new traditional country sound throughout his set with hits from “Unsung Hero,” “Your Man,” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” While fans may have had to fight through the mushy ground, that didn’t stop them from dancing around and having fun. The band made sure to have fun as well, with fun dances and joking with each other throughout the performance. Vocally, Turner impressed the audience with his deep, rich baritone voice that captivated the crowd from the start. As Turner’s set came to a close, he returned to the stage for an encore of his signature hit “Long Black Train.”
With the crowd elated from Josh Turner’s performance, the audience now eagerly awaited the arrival of McCreery. He was born in North Carolina and rose to fame after winning the tenth season of American Idol. After winning the show in 2011, McCreery released his debut album later that year and has released 5 albums since then. With a blend of traditional country sounds, down-home storytelling, and honky-tonk elements, McCreery captivates his audience with his humble style. His songwriting covers many themes, such as faith, family, and nostalgia, which resonates with fans of all age groups all over the world.
From the moment the lights dimmed and McCreery stepped on stage, the energy skyrocketed as fans cheered. In his trademark black tee and boots, McCreery launched into a set that showcased his rich baritone vocals and his storytelling songs. He performed a wide variety of his own music including “Can’t Pass the Bar,” “Fall of Summer,” “Five More Minutes,” “Cab in a Solo,” and “Damn Strait.” McCreery is known to share stories about his songs throughout his set, which connects the crowd to him and his music. “This Is It” and “It Matters to Her” are two songs that resonate deeply for McCreery since they are about his wife, who he met when they were just five years old. McCreery’s band members were equally noticeable throughout the night with their tight harmonies and outstanding solos. While their musical talents shone bright, their personalities were evident as well, having fun with each other on stage and enjoying each other’s presence. As the show drew to a close, McCreery voided the idea of an encore performance and sang his last song of the night before leaving the stage. The fairgrounds energy sparked higher as the notes of “Bottle Rockets” began playing.
The Sangamon County Fairgrounds provided an energetic backdrop for the performances with fans of all ages coming in from the carnival to enjoy a night of live country music. With the traditional country sound of both Turner and McCreery, families and groups of all ages came to enjoy a night with two generations of country music. The performance was a reminder of why both artists are shining bright in the music scene. With their raw storytelling and classic country musical elements, both McCreery and Turner are connecting with fans all over the world by staying true to themselves.
For additional information on these artists and the Sangamon County Fair, please visit:
Josh Turner- https://www.joshturner.com
Scotty McCreery- https://www.scottymccreery.com/
Sangamon County Fair- https://www.sangcofair.com
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Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske