PASO ROBLES, CA – The California Mid-State Fair is thrilled to announce that Chris Stapleton will headline a special Pre-Fair Concert on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 – one night before the Fair officially opens. This unprecedented early kick-off marks the first time in Fair history that fans will be welcomed onto the grounds ahead of Opening Day for a major concert event.
The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and guitarist will bring his powerhouse vocals and signature blend of country, soul, and rock to the Chumash Grandstand Arena for an unforgettable night under the Paso Robles summer sky. His supporting act will be Molly Tuttle.
Tickets go on sale Friday, January 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and will be available online only at MidStateFair.com. Prices are set at $90, $110, $160, $210 and $260.
A Message from Fair CEO Colleen Bojorquez
“It is an honor and a privilege to host and present an artist of Chris Stapleton’s caliber,” said Colleen Bojorquez, CEO 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.”
About Chris Stapleton
Kentucky-born Chris Stapleton is an 11x Grammy, 19x CMA and 21x ACM Award-winner and one of the country’s most respected and beloved musicians.
Adding to yet another triumphant year, Stapleton is nominated for four awards at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards—Best Country Song (“A Song To Sing” with Miranda Lambert), Best Country Solo Performance (“Bad As I Used To Be”) and two nods in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category (“A Song To Sing” with Lambert and “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with George Strait).
The nominations follow the release of Stapleton's latest single, “Heart Letting Go,” for Netflix’s hit show “Nobody Wants This,” as well as his acclaimed fifth studio album, Higher. Produced by Dave Cobb, Morgane Stapleton and Chris Stapleton, the record landed on several “Best of” lists including Billboard, Esquire, Los Angeles Times, Vulture and Rolling Stone, who praises, “dazzling…the best evidence yet for the way one man’s voice has become synonymous with the very idea of a musical genre.”
Universally beloved as a collaborator, Stapleton has worked with Adele, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Justin Timberlake, P!nk, Sheryl Crow, Santana, Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Slash and George Strait. He also returned to NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” for the third time as musical guest and performed the National Anthem at 2023’s Super Bowl LVII.
Known for his electric live performances, Stapleton will continue his extensive “All-American Road Show” through this summer.
Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, are founders of the Outlaw State of Kind charitable fund, which supports a variety of causes that are close to their hearts.
About Molly Tuttle
Molly Tuttle is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and virtuosic guitarist whose innovative blend of bluegrass, Americana, pop, and rock has made her one of the most compelling voices in modern roots music. In 2025, she released her boldest statement yet, the critically acclaimed So Long Little Miss Sunshine, her fifth full-length album and a Grammy nominee for Best Americana Album. Its breakout single, “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark,” earned a nomination for Best Americana Performance, marking two new Grammy nominations in the current cycle. A deluxe edition of the album is due out in February.
The single became Tuttle’s most successful radio track to date, reaching #1 at Americana Radio for four weeks, debuting in the Top 20 at AAA, and rising to #13 — her highest placement on the format. She brought the song to a national audience with performances on CBS Saturday Morning and Jimmy Kimmel Live! in early 2026. Recorded in Nashville with producer Jay Joyce, So Long Little Miss Sunshine is a vibrant, deeply personal work rooted in self-acceptance and transformation. Its striking cover art reflects Tuttle’s lifelong experience with alopecia areata, while the music ventures into new terrain with an energetic mix of pop, country, rock, and flat-picking.
In 2026, she will co-headline a North American tour with Marty Stuart and appear on select EU/UK dates alongside Tyler Childers, continuing her evolution as one of Americana’s most forward-thinking and influential artists.
Event Details
Artist: Chris Stapleton
Opening Act: Molly Tuttle
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 7:30 PM
Location: Chumash Grandstand Arena, Paso Robles Event Center
Tickets On Sale: Friday, January 16 at 10:00 AM at MidStateFair.com
Pricing: $90, $110, $160, $210 and $260 (pit)
Additional Offerings:
Select food, beverages, and artist merchandise will be available for purchase.
Anyone who does not have a ticket and would like to listen from the grounds can pay a $10 admission fee.
This special Pre-Fair Concert will help kick off the 80th Anniversary of the California Mid-State Fair, a milestone year celebrating eight decades of music, community, agriculture, and tradition in Paso Robles. For more information, visit MidStateFair.com or follow the Fair on social media @californiamidstatefair.
