Severe weather grounds Van Halen tribute; local band to headline at Benton County Fair
Benton County announces a change in the main stage lineup for Friday, August 1. Completely Unchained, the Van Halen tribute band scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m., is unable to appear. Local band The Raven Kings will fill the headliner spot, with Skynny Lyzyrd as the opening act.
Concerts and rodeos are included in the cost of Fair admission.
The Raven Kings won the Battle of the Bands competition held at the Fair on Thursday, and Skynny Lyzyrd was the runner-up. As winners, The Raven Kings were expecting to play on August 1 at 7 p.m. to open for Completely Unchained. When fair organizers found out late Thursday night that the scheduled musicians would not be able to get to Corvallis in time to perform, they extended an invitation to The Raven Kings to take the headliner spot.
“Both of the bands were thrilled at the opportunity to play the Main Stage at the Fair, and we’re happy to turn this into a paying gig for them,” said Jesse Ott, the County’s director of Natural Areas Parks & Events. “We’re excited to support local musicians, and the crowd at Battle of the Bands really liked them.”
The Raven Kings are a heavy blues and rock band based in Salem, Ore. They play covers and original songs, so Ott says, “There will probably be some Van Halen covers in their set Friday night. Fans who were looking forward to hearing Completely Unchained should still consider turning out.”
Co-lead singer Ish Phoenix shared the band’s enthusiasm about the change in lineup. “With a heart full of gratitude, I am beyond excited to get the opportunity to play the Main Stage at the Benton County Fair & Rodeo with The Raven Kings. There is nothing better than turning music into memories.”
The members of Completely Unchained were stranded in an airport when all flights out of the Washington, D.C. area were grounded on July 31 by thunderstorms and flash flooding along the Eastern seaboard.
The 2025 Benton County Fair continues through Saturday, August 2. Find more information at bentoncountyfair.net.