Music Acts Slated to Perform During 30th Annual World Pork Expo
Music and the aroma of grilled pork will fill the air at the 2018 World Pork Expo during MusicFest on Thursday, June 7. To help celebrate 30 years of Expo, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC)will host a free concert featuring Josh Hoyer, a contestant on The Voice, followed by The Big Noise, led by Cactus Moser.
The festivities take place along the Grand Avenue Concourse of the Iowa State Fairgrounds, and run from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. The concert is just one of the many events scheduled for the World Pork Expo, presented by NPPC June 6-8 in Des Moines, Iowa.
"Whether visitors come to Expo to shop the trade show, sit in on a seminar or learn about market developments, the days are always packed," says Jim Heimerl, NPPC president and producer from Johnstown, Ohio. "That's why it's important to carve out time to relax and have some fun and fellowship. And MusicFest provides the perfect setting."
The soulful sounds of Josh Hoyer
Fusing soul with hints of R&B and classic country, Josh Hoyer, a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, was a contestant on season 12 of NBC's The Voice. With his smooth rendition of the Chi-Lites' 1972 hit "Oh Girl," he caught the attention of coaches Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
The singer founded the soul-funk band Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal in 2012, where his rich, soulful vocals blend with masterful musicians, producing a remarkable chemistry. Their high-energy live show continuously crosses musical boundaries both in style and era, with the common goal of getting the crowd on their feet.
Recent recordings include the band's 2016 "Running from Love." In January, Hoyer released "The End of the Night," a three-song EP and solo side project with veteran Nashville songwriters Jay Knowles (Harry Connick Jr, Blake Shelton), and Jon Coleman (Trace Adkins). This spring, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal will record their fourth full-length album.
The Big Noise, with Cactus Moser
Headlining MusicFest is The Big Noise, led by Scott "Cactus" Moser, a talented drummer and music producer. The Big Noise is made up of musicians who've played on numerous records and tours. Over the last five years, the band has recorded and toured with Wynonna Judd, as Wynonna & The Big Noise.
Members of the group also have worked with singers including Ricky Van Shelton, Kevin Welch, Johnny Rivers, Pam Tillis and Richard Marx.
Moser is an original founding member of the country/western band Highway 101. He's also written and produced movie soundtracks, including "Union Bound" in 2016. Judd says Moser is genuinely "in love with music." And that includes all types, from country to rock to blues. "My goal was to try and capture emotions, not perfection," Moser says of his musical philosophy.
All combined, The Big Noise form a musically adventurous group that brings the members' original songs together with classic covers from groups such as the Grateful Dead, Blind Faith and James Gang.
Other sights not to miss
Visitors won't have a hard time finding other events and activities to enjoy while at Expo.
"Expo already features the world's largest pork-specific trade show," Heimerl points out. "But with expanded indoor and outdoor exhibit space, this year's trade show will be bigger than ever. Producers will definitely want to schedule extra time to see it all."
With more than 360,000 square feet of exhibit space, this year's expo expands into the Jacobson Exhibition Center. An estimated 500 companies from throughout the world will display new technologies, products and services specific to pork production. The trade show will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 8.
Pork professionals can hear the latest production and management strategies in a variety of free Pork Academy and Business Seminars throughout the day on June 6 and June 7. Swine shows are scheduled throughout the week in the Swine Barn, including the World Pork Expo Junior National and the open show. The shows conclude with a breeding swine sale on Saturday morning, June 9. Naturally, there's plenty of tasty pork to enjoy while at Expo, including free pork lunches available daily at the Big Grill.
For all the latest details, including daily event schedules, registration, hotel availability and more, go to the World Pork Expo website.
