Sons of the San Joaquin will kick off six nights of musical entertainment at the 2010 Merced County Fair on Tuesday, June 15, Opening Day, presented by Emanuel Medical Center.

Sons of the San Joaquin will sing their cowboy harmonies for fairgoers in the fairgrounds’ CVC/CVT Outdoor Theatre. Each night of the fair, Tuesday, June 15 through Sunday, June 20, a headline entertainment act will perform at 8:30 p.m. in the CVC/CVT Outdoor Theatre, where all events are free with admission.

The fair’s headline entertainment line-up is: Skynnyn Lynnyrd rocks “Southern style” Wednesday, June 16, First Five Merced County Kids’ Day; Clay Walker, the multi-platinum selling country music artist, who’s riding high on the charts with his current hit, “She Won’t Be Lonely Long,” performs Thursday, June 17; Tower of Power, the 10-member band with their unique “Urban Soul Music” appears Friday, June 18 and Night Ranger, the 80s rock band known for a string of hits including their anthem, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” take the stage Saturday, June 19, Merced Sun-Star Day. Alicia Villarreal, the Latin Grammy Award-winning singer, performs Sunday, June 20, presented by Kragen O’Reilly and Rancho San Miguel, wrapping up six nights of top entertainment.

Sons of the San Joaquin’s members are the Hannah brothers, Joe and Jack, and Joe’s son, Lon. They were raised in the Central Valley, after Joe and Jack Hannah’s parents migrated from Missouri during the Depression. Inspired by the area’s cattle ranches, the Hannahs grew up singing the classic Western songs of “The Sons of the Pioneers.” The duo performed throughout the Valley, but put their musical careers on hold to pursue their second love: baseball.

From 1950 to 1962 the Hannah Brothers played professionally – Joe catching for the Chicago Cubs and Jack pitching for what was then the Milwaukee Braves farm system. When they left baseball, Jack became a high school counselor and coach and Joe worked as a high school teacher, coach and music director. Lon taught elementary school and also sang at church and community events. More than 20 years ago, Lon asked his father and uncle to sing some cowboy songs at his grandfather’s birthday party and the Sons of the San Joaquin were born.

The trio got their big break when they were invited to perform at the 1989 Elko Poetry Gathering. That weekend they went from being unknowns to sharing the main stage with Michael Martin Murphey, who invited them to join him on his first “Cowboy Songs” album.

In 1992, the Sons released their first album, “A Cowboy Has to Sing,” followed by “Songs of the Silver Screen.” Then came their collection of songs written by Jack Hannah, “Whence Came The Cowboy.” The title track, a tribute to the history of cowboys, became a critically acclaimed video. In 1997, they released “Gospel Trails,” which included Dale Evans Rogers as lead vocalist singing on “In The Sweet By and By.”

Their other song collections include, “Horses, Cattle & Coyotes,” “Sing One For The Cowboy,” and “15 Years – A Retrospective,” all featuring Jack Hannah’s original Western music. Their album, “Way Out Yonder” received one of the industry’s top honors, the Wrangler Award for Outstanding Traditional Album from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. “Wyoming On My Mind,” Joe Hannah’s solo, written for him by legend Charlie Daniels, has become one of the Sons’ signature pieces.

Last year, the group released their first live recording, “Live, Western Jubilee Warehouse.” Joe does vocals and song arrangements accompanying the group on upright bass. Younger brother, Jack, sings and has received several Songwriter of the Year awards from the Western Music Association and the Cowboy Hall of Fame has also recognized him. Group founder, Lon, provides lead vocals and harmonies.

The trio’s television appearances include “The Grand Ole Opry,” and “Austin City Limits.” The have performed throughout the U.S. from L.A.’s House of Blues to New York City’s Carnegie Hall and given concerts worldwide from Switzerland to Japan.

Presented by the 35th District Agricultural Association, the 119th annual fair’s theme is “Wetlands, Water and Wildlife.” For more information call (209) 722-1507, fax at (209) 722-3773 or email to Info@MercedCountyFair.com. Visit the 2010 Merced County Fair’s website, www.MercedCountyFair.com and connect with us – find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.