The Martin Family Circus is anything but a circus, according to Earl Reabold, the entertainment coordinator for the Carbon County Fair.

The Nashville act will be bringing a combination of old-time country, religious and upbeat tunes to the music stage at the fair at 6:30 and 8:30 tonight.

The country band is the newest sensation for county fairs. He heard them at the state fair convention and rushed to bring them to Carbon.

“They are hard to book,” Reabold said.

Grammy-winning artist Paul Martin, lead singer/guitarist of country-pop group Exile, met and married Jamie Allen, daughter of Duane Allen of Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys.

The couple began singing together in 2010 with their four children: March, now 19; Kell, 16; Texas, 11; and Tallant, 10.

Rolling Stone magazine calls the melodic band “exuberant.”

“This is a shouldn’t-miss show,” Reabold said.

The fair this year has revamped its entertainment area. The stage and seating is now under a 120-foot tent. “Shows are rain or shine,” said Robert Silliman, fair president.

The fair has been spared any rain showers this week. “Tuesday night it rained all around us, but not here,” Silliman said. He watched the band of showers go right along the ridge, but people at the fair could stay dry.

Entertainment will continue Friday night with the popular Brian Dean Moore band and wrap up with three shows from the Cramer Brothers on Saturday.

Admission to the fair is $5. Parking is free.

Hours of operation are 4 to 10 p.m. today and Friday. On Saturday the fair will open at 2 p.m. and conclude at 10 p.m.

The fair is located 3285 Little Gap Road, Palmerton.

And then Reabold said Sunday is cleanup day.

“Everyone is welcome Sunday at no charge,” Reabold said, with a laugh.