This year’s Cornish Fair entertainment is sure to bring the heat  – eagletimes.com | Serving the Twin State Valley

By KATLYN PROCTOR

Eagle Times Staff

CORNISH, N.H. — It ain’t as good as it once was, but popular Toby Keith tribute band The American Ride is as close as it gets. Headlining this year’s 74th Cornish Fair, the American Ride is a performance not to be missed.  

“Lead singer Mike Sugg embodies the spirit and looks of Toby Keith, delivering his greatest hits and leaving guests feeling like they are watching and listening to the late, great Toby Keith himself,” said Jenn Ucci Bossert, entertainment coordinator for the fair.  

The American Ride takes the stage on Friday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m.  

Friday music fans will also enjoy main stage performances by award-winning New Hampshire country artist April Cushman. Up on the ballfield, kicking off the Ballfield Music Series for the year, Upper Valley singer/songwriter Beth Svahn-Moore, known for her rich blend of folk and blues with subtle notes of ‘90s alt rock, will make her debut with an eclectic mix of covers and originals. 

Another popular cover band, Get Poison’d, also brings some heat to the stage Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. following The Heartland Divas.  

The Divas, fronted by award-winning singer Shana Stack and Keene-artist Emily Lake, takes listeners on a journey through country music history, singing the greatest hits of the most celebrated female country icons of all time. 

The double-header continues with a full rock ‘n’ roll show as Get Poison’d takes the stage with their high energy performance and their authentic sound and vocals. 

Throughout the day Saturday, the Ballfield Music Series continues as well, with rockabilly duo Horse Nail Hill bringing a toe-tapping mix of rockabilly and classic country favorites — with a few pop gems as a surprise. Springfield native Bill Brink performs that evening. Brink, a 20-plus year veteran musician delivers an upbeat mix of originals and covers across all genres, using six and 12 string acoustic guitars, as well as bass and electric guitar, banjo, harmonica, kazoo, mandolin and washboard. 

Sunday, the Ballfield Music Series with Dan & Faith, an award-winning, touring, New England-based singer-songwriter duo who perform what they call dream-inspired folk, followed by up-and-coming musician Hunter Dworak, an Upper Valley singer/songwriter and local favorite. On the main stage, the award-winning East Coast Soul band will have you on your feet dancing to their timeless repertoire of funk, soul and R&B music.  

“This handpicked roster of world-class musicians has a reputation for delivering high-level, high-energy performances, making them one of the most sought-after ensembles here in New England,” Ucci Bossert said.  

Closing out the main stage for the fair are Londonderry, Vermont natives the Terrible Mountain String Band. Starring third-generation fiddle players Ida Mae and Lila Specker and joined by renowned musician William Seeders Mosheim and Mowgli Giannitti, the Terrible Mountain Stringband fuses original, contemporary, and traditional material, bringing heartfelt new life and relevance to the chain of American folk music. 

For more information on this year’s Cornish Fair entertainment, visit cornishfair.org/music-lineup.