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Music

Strawberry festival brings in big names

By SEAN DALY
Published March 1, 2007

As most of the state's myriad fairs and festivals battle over a who's who of has-beens (ladies and gentlemen . . . Foghat!), the Florida Strawberry Festival, which opens today, has always settled for nothing less than big game. It's mind-boggling who they routinely seduce to Plant City this time of year, and 2007's crop of country-leaning superstars is no exception.

You want the hottest women in country music? Take your pick of Martina McBride (whose new album is out April 3), Gretchen Wilson and LeAnn Rimes. You want the toughest Nashville hombres? Get ready for Big & Rich, Montgomery Gentry, Clint Black and Randy Travis. You want still-vital music legends? Here come Kenny Rogers, George Jones and Little Richard.

And hey, maybe you enjoy crunching on your corn dog to the sound of one-hit wonders. If that's the case, ladies and gentlemen . . . Hootie & the Blowfish!

The festival runs through March 11. Musicians scheduled to perform include George Jones, 4 p.m. today; Barbara Fairchild and Bill Anderson , 4 p.m. Friday; Mark Lowry, 4 p.m. Saturday; Joe Nichols, 4 p.m. Sunday; Lee Greenwood, 4 p.m. Monday; Ray Price, 4 p.m. Tuesday; Little Richard, 4 p.m. Wednesday; Oak Ridge Boys, 4 and 7:30 p.m. March 8; John Anderson, 4 p.m. March 9; Bellamy Brothers, 4 p.m. March 10; and Josh Turner, 4 p.m. March 11. For all those shows, stadium seats are free on a first-come basis; reserved seats are $10 to $15.

Tickets are required for all headliner shows, which begin at 7:30 p.m. They are: Clint Black, tonight, $15-$20; Gretchen Wilson, Friday, $20-$25; Casting Crowns, Saturday, $10-$15; Martina McBride, Sunday, $25-$30; LeAnn Rimes, Monday, $15-$20; Randy Travis, Tuesday, $10-$15; Kenny Rogers, Wednesday, $10-$15; Big & Rich, March 9, $20-$25; Hootie & the Blowfish, March 10, $10-$15; and Montgomery Gentry, March 11, $15-$20.

The festival is at the Festival Grounds in Plant City. From Interstate 4, take the Thonotosassa Road exit (Exit 19). Admission is $9 adults, $5 ages 6 to 12. (813) 752-9194 or www.flstrawberryfestival.com.

[Last modified February 28, 2007, 09:51:49]