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The Great Minnesota Get-Together is once again upon us. Besides gaining a few pounds from all the cheese curds and fried-everything, it means one of the best music lineups featuring national acts of the summer. In honor of the State Fair, this weekend’s nightlife picks highlight the big acts coming to the Grandstand, as well as local acts playing a series of free shows at the Fair.

Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal

THURSDAY AT THE FAIR: Bonnie Raitt + Taj Mahal
The seemingly unlikely pairing of blues/rock guitarist and singer Bonnie Raitt and jazz artist Taj Mahal makes its way to the State Fair tonight as part of the duo’s coast-to-coast, 34-date tour dubbed “BonTaj Roulet.” Though they stick to separate sets, focusing on their respective solo material, they will come together for brief musical interludes throughout the night – making it a night to remember. (7:30 p.m. $36.50. All ages. 1265 Snelling Av. N., St. Paul. 651-288-4427.)

Also Thursday: Music in Mears features local songsmith Jeremy Messersmith and Elk and a screening of “Milo & Otis” and food from The Bulldog; The Intelligence, Birthday Suits, and The Blind Shake play the Turf Club.

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Jason Aldean

FRIDAY AT THE FAIR: Jason Aldean
Riding on the wave of his first hit in three years, “Big Green Tractor,” country music singer Jason Aldean is known for his thinking-man take on the country genre. It comes to no surprise that the intense, brooding troubadour from Tennessee grew up listening to as much ‘80s rock as country music; his is country music with a rock-infused twist. Eli Young Band opens. (7:30 p.m. $27. All ages. State Fair Grandstand, 1265 Snelling Av. N., St. Paul. 651-288-4427.)

Also Friday: Californian-bred, Irish-tinged folk band Gaelic Storm plays the Minnesota Zoo; John Swardson, Get Gone and Communist Daughter are at the Turf Club.

Kid Rock

SATURDAY AT THE FAIR: Kid Rock + Lynyrd Skynyrd
Two rock n’ roll heavyweights descend upon the State Fair this weekend – one that grew up worshipping the hair metal rock gods of the ‘80s, and another that was actually rocking in the ‘80s. Kid Rock has gone from white-trash rapper to new country Southern boy to his latest incarnation, Motor City rock n’ roll. He has a lesson to learn from the still-kickin’ Lynyrd Skynyrd – though the Southern rockers broke up in the ‘70s, they reformed a decade later and haven’t stopped recording new material and touring since. (7 p.m. $41-66. State Fair Grandstand, 1265 Snelling Av. N., St. Paul. 651-288-4427.)

Also Saturday: Davina & The Vagabonds play the Summit Brewing’s International Bazaar at the Fair for free; Sick of Sarah is on a five-band bill at The Rock; Ross the Boss (ex-Manowar guitarist) is at Station 4; new monthly electronic music night Elektrik Speakeasy kicks off at the American Burger Bar.

Kelly Clarkson

SUNDAY AT THE FAIR: Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson seems to be the one American Idol star whose popularity matches the show. Even though it just wrapped its ninth successful season, the first American Idol winner has maintained biggest following of any of the show’s winners, particularly among gay men. Her staying power could be attributed to Clarkson’s stubborn refusal to let herself be manipulated by the pop machine, instead working with the likes of Minutemen bassist Mike Watt on 2007’s My December. On her latest All I Ever Wanted, Clarkson continues to add her trademark edgy, sincere take on the pop song while still racking up the hits. (7:30 p.m. $33. State Fair Grandstand, 1265 Snelling Av. N., St. Paul. 651-288-4427.)

Beard like this? You could win Wahl's Man of the Year

FRIDAY-SUNDAY AT THE FAIR: Wahl’s Let It Grow Tour
Wahl’s Mobile Barbershop – a 30-foot mobile barbershop touring the country to “celebrate facial hair and help men to maintain it” – is making its local appearance at the Minnesota State Fair. There’s no better place for it than Minneapolis, which has more mustache-wearing hipsters per capita than just about anywhere else. Put on by Wahl-brand beard trimmers, the brand is hosting a nationwide hunt for the best facial hair via its Man of the Year contest. Before you have Wahl’s Mobile Barbershop (located inside gate 11) trim you (or your dude) up, be sure to enter. (9 a.m.-9 p.m. Free w/ admission. 1265 Snelling Av., St. Paul. 651-288-4400.)

Jackson Browne

MONDAY AT THE FAIR: Jackson Browne
Considered to be of the most important rock n’ rollers in history, Jackson Browne helped pioneer the confessional singer-songwriter movement of the late ’60s. Not only did the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee receive critical and commercial revere for his own hits, including “Somebody’s Baby,” he held songwriting credits for Nico, The Eagles, and The Byrds. Brown has also been one of the most political artists of our time, most recently filing a lawsuit against the McCain campaign for its unauthorized use of Browne’s 1977 hit, “Running On Empty.” (8 p.m. $38. State Fair Grandstand, 1265 Snelling Av. N, St. Paul. 651-288-4427.)

Also Monday-Tuesday: Local blues guitarist Charlie Parr plays August Schell Brewing’s Heritage Square stage at the State Fair (also on Tuesday); famed guitarist Billy McLaughlin plays August Schell Brewing’s Heritage at Sundown event also at the Fair.

Randy Travis

TUESDAY AT THE FAIR: Randy Travis
Randy Travis is a country singer even non-country fans dig. The good-lookin’ country icon marked a generational shift in the genre, taking country out of the niche and into mainstream pop music. Most recently, he’s delved into acting and released an album of religious songs, but country music still seems to be in his blood. Expect all the hits, as he’s supporting his recently-released best-of compilation I Told You So. (7:30 p.m. $30-71. State Fair Grandstand, 1265 Snelling Av. N., St. Paul. 651-288-4427.)

Also Tuesday: America’s Most Wanted Music Festival comes to Xcel, featuring Lil’ Wayne, Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy, Drake and Jeremih.

Trombone Shorty

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY AT THE FAIR: Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue
Now a part of New Orleans’ horn legacy, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, who earned his nickname in brass-band parades, is one of many artists dealing with a post-Katrina dystopia. He’s gained notoriety for post-Katrina profiles on him in USA Today, in which he gave a tour of his Treme neighborhood, Village Voice, and Billboard Magazine. His association with the New Orleans blues tradition als led Shorty to perform with U2 and Green Day during the New Orleans Superdome post-Katrina re-opening celebration. (8:30 p.m. Free w/ admission. Minnesota State Fair Leinie Lodge Bandshell, 1265 Snelling Av. N., St. Paul. 651-288-4400.)

Also Wednesday-Thursday: The Roe Family Singers at August Schell Brewing’s Heritage Square stage at the State Fair. Also Wednesday: Granola rockers O.A.R. at the State Fair Grandstand.

Look to next weekend’s edition of St. Paul Rock City for next week’s music lineup at the Fair.

Click here for info on the bands playing free showcases at the State Fair
Click here for more on the bands playing the State Fair Grandstand