Chris Stapleton to open California Mid-State Fair with special pre-fair concert
Molly Tuttle will perform as the opening act
– California Mid-State Fair officials announced that Chris Stapleton will headline a special Pre-Fair Concert on Tuesday, July 14, at the Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center.
The concert will take place one night before the fair officially opens and marks the first time in fair history that the public will be admitted to the grounds ahead of opening day for a major concert event. Molly Tuttle will perform as the opening act.
Tickets will go on sale Friday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. and will be available online only at MidStateFair.com. Ticket prices are $90, $110, $160, $210, and $260.
“It is an honor and a privilege to host and present an artist of Chris Stapleton’s caliber,” said Colleen Bojorquez, chief executive officer of the California Mid-State Fair. “Bringing world-class entertainment to our community is something in which we take great pride, and we remain committed to keeping ticket prices as affordable as possible so more fans can share in this incredible experience.”
Stapleton is a Kentucky-born singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has received multiple awards from the Grammy Awards, the Country Music Association, and the Academy of Country Music. He is nominated for four awards at the 68th Grammy Awards, including Best Country Song for “A Song To Sing” with Miranda Lambert, Best Country Solo Performance for “Bad As I Used To Be,” and two nominations in the Best Country Duo or Group Performance category for “A Song To Sing” with Lambert and “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with George Strait.
The nominations follow the release of Stapleton’s single “Heart Letting Go,” written for the Netflix series “Nobody Wants This,” and his fifth studio album, Higher, which was produced by Dave Cobb, Morgane Stapleton, and Stapleton.
Stapleton has collaborated with artists including Adele, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Justin Timberlake, Pink, Sheryl Crow, Santana, Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Slash, and George Strait. He has also appeared as a musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” and performed the national anthem at Super Bowl LVII. Stapleton continues touring with his All-American Road Show. He and his wife, Morgane Stapleton, founded the Outlaw State of Kind charitable fund.
Tuttle is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who released her fifth full-length album, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, in 2025. The album received a nomination for Best Americana Album, and its single “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark” earned a nomination for Best Americana Performance. A deluxe edition of the album is scheduled for release in February.
The single reached No. 1 on the Americana Radio chart for four weeks, debuted in the Top 20 on the AAA chart, and peaked at No. 13. Tuttle performed the song on CBS Saturday Morning and Jimmy Kimmel Live in early 2026.
In 2026, Tuttle is scheduled to co-headline a North American tour with Marty Stuart and appear on select European and United Kingdom dates with Tyler Childers.
The Pre-Fair Concert will help kick off the 80th anniversary of the California Mid-State Fair. Food, beverages, and artist merchandise will be available for purchase. Individuals without concert tickets may enter the grounds for a $10 admission fee to listen from outside the grandstand.
The Paso Robles Event Center is located at 2198 Riverside Ave.
