Cole Swindell with special guest Ashley Cooke

Country music superstar Cole Swindell, who Rolling Stone has called “a proven hit-maker,” has solidified himself as a hit songwriter, recording artist and headlining performer over the past twelve years. Cole was recently inspired to write “Make Heaven Crowded” after hearing a speech from Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, which resonated with him due to the recent birth of his own daughter and a desire to encourage more kindness, love and prayer in the world. The song was No. 1 on iTunes country chart and #2 on the all-genre iTunes chart. The debut single, “Forever To Me,” from his fifth studio album, Spanish Moss, became his 13 No. 1 singles as an artist – 14th as a songwriter. Twelve of Swindell’s 13 No. 1 singles have been certified Platinum by the RIAA with three being 3X Platinum (“Chillin’ It,” “You Should Be Here,” and “She Had Me At Heads Carolina”) and two being 2X Platinum (“Ain’t Worth The Whiskey” and “Break Up In The End”).

Swindell, who The Tennessean called a “hard charging competitor armed with a mastery of the art of the craft, tirelessly looking for ways to improve his work” charted three back-to-back, Platinum-certified, multi-week No. 1 hits off his fourth studio album, Stereotype: “Single Saturday Night,” “Never Say Never” (with Lainey Wilson) and the five-week 3x Platinum chart-topper “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” that garnered three ACM Awards for Single of the Year and Song of the Year (as songwriter and artist), an iHeart Music Award for Country Song of the Year and received a nomination for Musical Event of the Year for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” with Jo Dee Messina for the 57 th  CMA Awards. He released a special duet remix of his smash “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” featuring Messina that produced multiple award nominations and is included on his deluxe album Stereotype Broken, which also includes his 2023 Top 10 single “Drinkaby.”

One of Country’s most magnetic young storytellers, Ashley Cooke made her unforgettable debut with 2023’s shot in the dark and soon scored her first Country radio No. 1 with “your place” — a GOLD-certified, Billboard Hot 100-charting hit that later won a 2024 CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year. With a voice that carries both tenderness and quiet confidence, she’s since garnered nominations for New Female Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. While building up an acclaimed body of work including 2025’s ace — a nine-song project featuring her Country radio smash “the hell you are” and longtime fan favorite “baby blues” (a No. 1 hit on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown) — Cooke has collaborated with major artists ranging from Pop superstar Joe Jonas (“All I Forgot”) to Country hitmaker Brantley Gilbert (“Over When We’re Sober”). Known for her emotionally charged and high-energy live show, she’s also toured with heavy-hitters like Luke Bryan, Parker McCollum, Kane Brown, and recently hit the road as support for Jon Pardi’s HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD TOUR. As her profile continues to rise, Cooke made a cameo appearance in March on CBS’ Marshals (the newly launched spinoff of the blockbuster Western saga Yellowstone), just before heading overseas for C2C: Country to Country 2026 (including a performance at the iconic O2 Arena in London). With her self-titled sophomore album due out August 14, she’s now gearing up to take the stage at leading festivals like Hoofbeat (6/27 in Cadott, WI). Later this year, Cooke will embark on The Baby Blues Tour — a 28-date international headline run launching on September 17 and continuing through February 25 at the legendary Ryman Auditorium.”

Shawn Mayer returns to Spencer, Iowa, to perform on a stage where her journey began more than 25 years ago. A native of May City, Iowa, Shawn started performing throughout Northwest Iowa at just 15 years old and has since entertained audiences across the United States and around the world.

Now based in Nashville, Shawn is an international country rock artist known for her powerhouse vocals, commanding stage presence, and unforgettable live performances. A finalist on NBC’s Nashville Star, she has spent years touring nationally and internationally, building a loyal fan base with her unique blend of country heart and rock-and-roll energy. Her dynamic performances and authentic connection with audiences have made her a standout entertainer wherever she takes the stage.

Shawn is proud to return home to Iowa and bring a little Nashville back to the community that helped launch her career and celebrate the place where it all began.”

Ticket prices are $99 (Stage Front Standing), $79 (Reserved Grandstand Seating), and $49 (General Admission Bleachers). Tickets will be available online at www.midwestix.com, by phone at 515-244-2771, or in person at the Events Center Box Office.

All tickets, regardless of purchase location, are also subject to a $6.00 ticketing fee, which is not included in the advertised price.

About the Grandstand
Bag checks are conducted at all Grandstand events, and certain items are prohibited, including weapons or firearms, outside alcoholic beverages, air horns or other noisemakers, helium balloons, glitter or confetti, glass bottles, fireworks, and illegal substances. Fair admission is not included with Grandstand event tickets. Children aged two and under may sit on an adult's lap; all other attendees must have a ticket. Accessible seating is available; each guest in these areas is allowed one companion.

About The Clay County Fair & Events Center
Rooted in Tradition, the Clay County Fair and Events Center is a year-round facility that annually hosts more than 200 events, including its signature event, the Clay County Fair. Known as "The World's Greatest County Fair" since 1917, the Clay County Fair attracts more than 300,000 guests each September for nine days of world-class entertainment, competition, food, fun, and the largest farm machinery show at any fair in the United States. Additional information can be found at claycountyfair.com.