Granger Smith (and Earl Dibbles Jr.) headline performer on grandstand at Adams County Fair

MENDON, Ill. — Country music star Granger Smith and his alter ego Earl Dibbles Jr. will take the grandstand stage on July 30 during the Adams County Fair. The fair board announced Thursday the main grandstand entertainers for its 80th annual event. 

As a Nashville recording artist, Smith broke onto the national scene with “Remington,” an album that garnered him the No. 1 smash “Backroad Song.” Smith is also known for his hit, “If The Boot Fits.” His album “When The Good Guys Win” spawned the hit “Happens Like That” that has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. 

Dibbles, Smith’s alter ego, is equally well known and loved. His popular songs, which include the tune “Merica,” stay true to their country roots but add a backroads flair. Adding to the boot-stomping performance, Smith and Dibbles perform a “duet” called  “Holler!” 

Smith says his alter ego brings him a creative release. He compares Earl songs to the dessert you crave after a good meal.

“Those songs seem to happen amidst the writing of all the other songs, but are always just on the back burner,” Smith said in a press release. “They never take up real estate in my mind. They never overshadow the other music. I love that there can be a light-hearted stroke. It took time for me to realize that I could write an impactful, heartfelt, moving song that gives you goosebumps, but what equally affects people is a genuine smile from an Earl song.” 

Smith has amassed an enthusiastic audience known as “Yee Yee Nation” built through years of touring and grassroots fan engagement. He has a social media following exceeding 8.5 million people, and his videos have been viewed more than one billion times online. He also released his first book, “If You’re City, If You’re Country,” which immediately hit No. 1 on Amazon’s best-selling list. Smith and his family also are featured on the YouTube series “The Smiths.” 

“Smith is a true performer at his core and will bring the party straight to the stage at this year’s Adams County Fair,” said Melissa Shriver-Hackamack, a director with the Adams County Fair Board. “I hope the Tri-States are ready for an awesome show.” 

Entry into grandstand seating for the concert is free with adult admission to the fair that night. Track seating tickets are an additional $10 and can be bought beginning June 4 at Farm and Home Supply, 4625 Broadway, in Quincy. 

The 2022 Adams County Fair runs from July 27 to August 2 at the fairgrounds, located 15 minutes north of Quincy on Ill. 336.