GIE+EXPO features concerts with Colt Ford, Jana Kramer

Pictured above: The Crashers in 2017. Photo courtesy of GIE+EXPO

Louisville, KY – The 2018 GIE+EXPO and Hardscape North America show will feature three nights of free entertainment for attendees. New for the 2018 show, the after-show-hours entertainment will kick off on Tuesday night with the party rock band The Crashers. Wednesday and Thursday headliners include country/blues/rock/rap singer Colt Ford; and country music's new star Jana Kramer, thanks to sponsors BOB-CAT Mowers and Mercedes-Benz Vans.

"We're excited to have BOB-CAT and Mercedes back on board to bring three nights of networking for attendees, and we're shaking things up this year with a Tuesday concert," said Warren Sellers, show director. "Attendees who plan to be on hand Wednesday for the new industry-wide show hours, opening keynotes and education can get an early start on the networking and fun."

Concert Lineup

On the Mercedes-Benz Vans Stage at 4th Street Live! in downtown Louisville

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.

Headliner: The Crashers

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m.

Opening Act: Kelleigh Bannen

Headliner: Colt Ford

Thursday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m.

Opening Act: MacKenzie Porter

Headliner: Jana Kramer

Back at GIE+EXPO and HNA for a third year, The Crashers will kick things off at the new Tuesday night concert. Formed in 2008, this group has established itself, both regionally and nationally. They've performed all over the country from the Super Bowl (as the official pre-game band for NBC at Super Bowl XLVI) to the backing band for national artists like Luke Bryan and Kid Rock.

Opening the Wednesday concert, Kelleigh Bannen's sound mixes country twang, pop hooks and southern storytelling into the same pot. Bannen has her new EP, "Cheap Sunglasses," which joins a catalog that already includes a career-launching indie album, "Radio Skies," and a handful of singles, from "Smoke When I Drink" to "Famous."

Colt Ford is bringing his hybrid of country, blues, rock and rap rhythms to GIE+EXPO and HNA. Having recently released his sixth studio album, "Love Hope Faith," he has built a following that started with mud trucker events and graduated to arena status sharing the stage with the likes of Toby Keith.

Thursday night kicks off with winner of Nashville North Star competition MacKenzie Porter, a musician, actress and singer from Canada. After touring with her brother Kalan Porter (Canadian Idol winner) as a family band, Porter launched her solo career in 2010 and her debut album, which includes "I Wish I'd Known" and "Never Gonna Let You," in 2014. She has opened for Kenny Chesney, Doc Walker and Trooper, among others.

In just a few years, Jana Kramer became one of country music's brightest new stars. Her platinum debut single, "Why Ya Wanna," hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2012 making her the most played new artist of that year.

GIE+EXPO takes place Oct. 17-19 in Louisville, Kentucky. Click here for more details on the 2018 show.