Maroon5 Makes Me Wonder

State Fair music lineup full of stars

Big concerts from yesteryear at the Indiana State Fair

Bob Hope -- 1950
Nat King Cole -- 1955
Everly Brothers -- 1958
The Beatles -- 1964
Diana Ross & The Supremes -- 1968
Glen Campbell with Jerry Reed and Jerry Lee Lewis -- 1969
Johnny Cash with June Carter and the Carter Family -- 1970
The Jackson 5 -- 1973
Dolly Parton -- 1977
Willie Nelson -- 1980


Find a complete list of Indiana State Fair acts of the past at jconline.com/statefairshows

This summer's event, which starts Friday and runs through Aug. 21 at the State Fairgrounds, has a few blockbuster shows. As in most years, country music elite will return to the fair. And there's always the eye-opening show that makes you stop and say "Wow!" That wow-factor is represented by one of Indiana's most famous daughters -- Janet Jackson. The superstar singer and Gary native will be among several acts to make the state fair a tuneful one. • MercyMe and Third Day, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $23 and $33 -- Two Christian contemporary music superpowers combine forces to get the live music going at the 2011 Indiana State Fair. Both are platinum sellers. Both are winners of numerous awards, and both are inspirational. Third Day also will perform at Purdue University's Elliott Hall of Music at 7 p.m. Sept. 24. • Sugarland with Sara Bareilles, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13, $35-$60 -- For the past several years, country duo Sugarland has been a summer regular in central Indiana. The band led by singer Jennifer Nettles and guitarist/vocalist Kristian Bush played the State Fair in 2008 and 2010. Just before Sugarland hit superstar status, it thrilled the Newton County Fair in 2006. In the fall of 2010, Sugarland released its fourth album, "The Incredible Machine," and like many popular modern country artists, Sugarland has had some crossover success, luring Rihanna to sing with Nettles at the 2011 Academy of Country Music awards show. The band was a part of a 2010 VH1 concert "Divas Salute the Troops" with Katy Perry, Keri Hilson and Nicki Minaj. Touring with singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles ("Love Song") shows that more crossover could be coming. Expect a cover of "Come on Eileen" with Bareilles and Nettles on this night. Online reports have said it's a show highlight. • Janet Jackson, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17, $48-$88 -- The King of Pop will live in the hearts of millions of fans worldwide, and Michael Jackson's memory also lives on with sister Janet Jackson, herself a huge hit-maker. While MJ's music has had a resurgence in the two years since his death, Janet's music is starting a comeback thanks to the recently released "Number Ones" greatest hits double album featuring an astounding 33 No. 1 hits throughout the singer's career. Janet Jackson -- Miss Jackson if you're nasty -- has been touring for most of 2011 in theaters and more intimate venues. This is a rare opportunity to see one of Gary's most famous daughters outside an arena or stadium.

William Quincy Belle: Maroon 5: Makes Me Wonder

"Makes Me Wonder" is the first single released from Maroon 5's second album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007). It premiered on the Las Vegas radio station Mix 94.1, and became an instant hit worldwide. Upon release, the song set a record for the biggest jump to number-one in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, rising from number 64 to number-one. However, the record was broken by Kelly Clarkson's 2009 single, "My Life Would Suck Without You". "Makes Me Wonder" also became the band's first number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as the first rock song to top the same chart since Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" (2001). The song won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 50th Grammy Awards, their second song to win the award. The song was among the most successful of 2007, and their biggest hit to date. It Won't Be Soon Before Long is Maroon 5's second studio album, released on May 22, 2007. It came almost a full five years after their debut, Songs About Jane. The name was inspired by a phrase the band adopted to keep themselves motivated while on their tour. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling 429,484 copies in its first week.