The hit country band Love and Theft will be the headlining act of the 2013 Box Butte County Fair Concert to be held August 10 at 8 p.m.
Stephen Barker Liles, Eric Gunderson, and Brian Bandas formed Love and Theft in 2006. The Nashville-based trio opened for Taylor Swift’s 2008 tour and was soon signed to Carolwood Record Company. Love and Theft released their first EP Don’t Wake Me in 2009, which features the studio and acoustic versions of the song “Don’t Wake Me.” Later that year the band released their first full-length studio album World Wide Open. The songs on World Wide Open combine harmony and soft, comforting lyrics that is reminiscent of driving down a back road and listening to the radio on a hot summer day.
The debut single off World Wide Open was the band’s first success. “Runaway,” a fast paced, toe-tapping track, peaked at number ten on the country music charts. Love and Theft released a second single off the album in 2010. “Dancing in Circles” which hit number twenty-five on the charts and was the last single to be released to the media.
In 2011 Brian Bandas left the band and the new duo signed with RCA Records Nashville. Love and Theft released their self-titled sophomore album on July 23, 2012. The album is very playful, slightly rebellious, and combines perfect harmony with catchy lyrics. iTunes named Love and Theft one of the Top Country Albums of 2012.
Love and Theft released the hit single “Angel Eyes” in November of 2012. “Angel Eyes” is a playful song that tells the story of a rebellious preachers daughter who just wants to have fun. The song became Love and Theft’s first number one single in August of 2012. The band’s second single “Running Out of Air” has entered the charts and is quickly rising.
Box Butte County Fair Board member Ron Henzler said the process of choosing a band to perform at the Fair is fairly simple. The Board contacts potential artist’s managers and gets quotes to see how much booking the artist would cost. The group narrows the choices down until they have a few selections that are within their budget and then they vote for the artist that they would most like to see performing at the Fair. They try to select artists who are up and coming and will attract a lot of people to the Fair.
Love and Theft is very similar to previous acts that have performed at the Fair, bands such as Rascal Flatts and Gloriana. Love and Theft’s performance will be high energy, upbeat, and a lot of fun and will help to make the 2013 Box Butte County Fair one to remember.
