by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Staff writer

The Anoka County Fair kicks off the evening concerts of its annual get-together with Free Fallin,’ a Tom Petty tribute band from the Twin Cities.

The band, with lead singer Brian Evans of Coon Rapids, will perform Petty and the Heartbreakers’ tunes July 27 from 7 to 11 p.m., the opening day of the fair at the bandshell. It will perform two 75-minute shows and a 30-minute encore set.

“We are a dyed-in-the-wool, hard-core tribute band,” said manager and band drummer Mark Larsen.

In addition to Evans and Larsen, band members are Karl Swartz, Dale Peterson, R.T. Moore and Russ Lund. Free Fallin’ members have played in Lamont Cranston, Hairball, Sonik Envy, Pearl Harbor and Altered Ego bands.

The stage on the evening of July 27 will be set up a la Petty’s Heartbreakers. The band dresses like them. Evans resembles Petty with his long yellow locks. And Free Fallin’ sounds like the internationally known band that has thrived and entertained audiences for decades, amid a split, reforming and reuniting of the band over the years.

Free Fallin’ will perform Petty favorites: “American Girl,” “Running Down A Dream,” “Don’t Do Me Like That” and “Refugee,” to name a few tribute tunes.

“His music speaks to so many people on so many different levels,” Larsen said about Petty.

Evans, a 1987 Coon Rapids High School graduate, who attended the former Coon Rapids Junior High and Crooked Lake Elementary, was a late music bloomer.

He started honing his musical chops a decade after leaving school, although, one year, he did play guitar in a Coon Rapids Junior High talent show.

Nor was Evans a particular fan of Petty before singing and playing guitar in the group formed about two-and-a-half years ago. But all that has changed since he started studying Petty’s lyrics and performing his songs.

“Then I thought, boy, it’s pretty good stuff, with more than 30 years of songs to choose from,” Evans said in a phone interview.

Evans’ fav is “Here Comes My Girl” for its dynamics and driving beat.

Free Fallin’ has performed extensively in the Midwest area and Denver.

The band invites you to come and hear them perform. Free. Included in price of fair admission.

Other musical performances at the bandshell during the fair’s run from July 25 through Aug. 1 are: 32 Below, July 28, 7 to 10:30 p.m; GB Leighton, July 29, 7 to 11 p.m; Good for Gary, July 30, 7 to 11 p.m; Boogie Wonderland, July 31, 7 to 11 p.m; and Sherwin Linton, Aug. 1, 4 to 7 p.m. Magician Matt Dunn will perform July 27, 29, 30 and 31 at 8 p.m.

Gate admission for the fair is $9 for adults, $4 for kids 7 to 12, kids 6 and under, free. Free parking and free grandstand shows. 3200 St. Francis Blvd., Anoka.

For information on more music acts and events visit www.anokacountyfair.com or call 763-427-4070.

Elyse Kaner is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it