He’s at the top of his game with a smash hit that’s high on the country music charts, he’s got a new album debuting June 8 and Clay Walker is coming to the 2010 Merced County Fair.

The multi-platinum selling country music artist will perform for fairgoers at the 2010 Merced County Fair Thursday, June 17 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.

Walker’s current hit song, “She Won’t Be Lonely Long,” is at No. 12 and rising on the Billboard Country Music charts this week after more than six months on the charts. The smash single’s video is currently ranked at No. 13 on the Top 20 Great American Country video charts. His ninth album, also titled “She Won’t Be Lonely Long,” releases Tuesday, June 8, one week before the 2010 Merced County Fair begins.

The fair’s headline entertainment line-up is: Sons of the San Joaquin sing their cowboy harmonies on Tuesday, June 15, Opening Day, presented by Emanuel Medical Center; Skynnyn Lynnyrd rocks “Southern style” Wednesday, June 16, First Five Merced County Kids’ Day; Tower of Power delivers their unique “Urban Soul Music” 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.

Walker previously played the Merced County Fair in 2005. He made his country music debut in 1993 with his smash hit, “What’s It to You,” which quickly climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard charts. Since then Walker has sold more than 11 million albums, had 11 No. 1 hit singles, with four platinum and two gold certified albums under his belt.

When he’s not in the studio or on stage, Walker devotes a lot of time to Band Against MS (BAMS). Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, he founded the charity organization in 2003 with the goal of helping others living with the disease. BAMS provides funding for educational programs for those living with MS and finances programs researching a cure for the disease.

A competitive cut-horse rider and skilled golfer, Walker is one of the fortunate ones whose MS is under control with medication. To date, BAMS, which teams with the National MS Society to raise awareness and seek a cure has raised more than $2 million in an effort to fund important research that may one day lead to a cure for MS.

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.