The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage is one of many diverse offerings at the Indiana State Fair, providing fairgoers with music-filled evenings from artists such as America, Babyface, Phil Vassar, Melissa Etheridge, Chris Tomlin and more.
The Recorder sat down with award-winning gospel artist Marvin Sapp ahead of his Aug. 17 show at the Indiana State Fair to discuss new projects, his Dove Award nomination and bringing 90 minutes of gospel and encouragement to Hoosier audiences.
The responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.
What does it mean to you to come and play at the Indiana State Fair?
Marvin Sapp: It’s exciting. This is my first time doing the Indiana State Fair. I’m actually from Michigan, so to be able to come home to the Midwest and be able to share musically, this is going to be a great, great time — 90 minutes. That’s the mind-blowing thing, though. It’s 90 minutes of nonstop encouragement and uplifting. So, I’m looking forward to it.
Have you played any shows in Indiana before? How does it feel to be back in the Hoosier state?
Sapp: Oh my God, too many. I’ve been doing this for about 36 years, so I’ve done arenas; I just came off of a major tour last year. I’m just excited about being able to come out. There’s a really good audience there, there’s a good draw, a following, in the Indianapolis area. I’m just looking forward to being able to come and deliver music that will empower and encourage.
You’ve been performing for a long time and have had quite a successful career. When you look back at this and look at where you are now, what are some of the things that you think about?
Sapp: These types of moments give me a real opportunity to reflect; to think about moments when we recorded certain songs, what we were dealing with when those songs were recorded, our mental headspaces, experiences that we were dealing with in that particular time. Not only that, but it gives the people an opportunity to listen to songs that could have possibly gotten them through some of the most important and traumatic seasons of their lives. So, it’s for both of us — myself and the audience. It’s a time of retrospection, being able just to look back over and say, ‘Wow, I remember when I first heard this,’ because I’m gonna be singing songs from 30 years ago to this present day and right now. So, I mean, it’s just gonna be a moment. It’s gonna be amazing.
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You just received a Dove Award nomination for your 16th album, “Then & Now.” How does that feel?
Sapp: The fact that I’ve been around this long and been able to record 16 records, the last two records, which is a real blessing to me, we were able to put them out on my own independent label. To be able to be nominated for something that you didn’t have a whole machine — for the sake of a better word, because I was with the Sony record label for 30+ years, but to be able to put out music and still be recognized and relevant for something that you’ve done independently, it’s really, really cool.
Gospel Sundays at the fair are kind of a big deal. Is there anything in particular, surprises or throwbacks or something new, you plan to introduce during your set?
Sapp: Now Chloe, if there was a surprise, I couldn’t tell you. Honestly, I actually do have some musical surprises. We did something a little fresh, different, new, and I think they’re gonna enjoy it.
The Hoosier Lottery Free stage is an opportunity to expose people to all different kinds of music. Whether you’ve got long-time fans in the crowd or people passing by, what message do you hope to share on Sunday?
Sapp: I always tell people that when they come hear Marvin Sapp, musically my goal is to keep it churchy and funky all the same time. I think what’s going to happen is that people are going to get the opportunity to hear lyrical content that will encourage them, but hopefully the beat draws them to the stage so that they can hear the message of Jesus Christ.
What are you most excited for — for this set, for this year or in this season of your life?
Sapp: For this set in particular, I’m just excited to be able to have the opportunity to minister to the people in the State of Indiana, because, again, it’s the State Fair, so people are going to be coming from everywhere — from Gary to southern Indiana, all the way up. It’s going to be great to have the opportunity to minister musically for them.
Futuristically, I’m excited because I’m working on a new project that’s slotted to be released in 2026, so I’m just forging ahead and trying to make sure that I try to — for the sake of a better word — keep messaging that is mentally encouraging as well as relevant. … I’m not reinventing myself, of course, but I am just trying to make sure that with all of the young people that are coming up behind me — and I’m not old, I just started young — but just trying to make sure that my music does what it’s supposed to do so it keeps my fan base encouraged and engaged, and draw new people to who Marvin Sapp.
Marvin Sapp plays the Hoosier Lottery Free stage at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 17 at the Indiana State Fair. Tickets are free with the cost of admission. For more information, visit indianastatefair.com.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
