Rick Springfield, who describes himself as a fan of Jessie’s girl.

The main stage at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair will be cowboy-bootin’ and hit parading with Phil Vassar, The Guess Who, Chris Young, and the man who has been yearning for Jessie’s Girl since 1981, Rick Springfield. Country piano man Phil Vassar is touring behind the release of his newest album, The Traveling Circus, where he “approaches his uniquely piano-based, rhythm and blues-infused, infectiously buoyant brand of country music from the back-to-basics school of thought,” according to Vassar’s website. The Guess Who are simply touring because … well … why not? You’ll sing along to American Woman and no one can ignore the jangle of No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature. Lyrical taste: “Da-un-do-dow da-un-do-dow / Da-un-do-dow da-un-do-dow.” Chris Young may not be such a recognizable name to most folks, but he is a rising talent in the country music world. He won a record deal on Nashville Star (an American Idol-esque competition) and is touring behind his current release, The Man I Want To Be. Lastly, Rick Springfield will be on stage doing his trademark guitar trick – he holds a dozen roses and windmills the hell out of his guitar … he’s like a more sensitive version of Pete Townsend. Springfield last released new material in 2008, so no new album yet. But he will be releasing an autobiography entitled, Late Late At Night this October. And also stop by to say hi to local favorites New North String Band and Phoenix!

    Northern Wisconsin State Fair • July 7-11 • State Fairgrounds, 331 Jefferson Ave, Chippewa Falls • main stage acts at 7:30pm • $7 adults, $3 kids 6-11, kids under 6 FREE • 723-2861 • www.northernwistatefair.com