Monterey County Fair unleashes its strongest music lineup yet.

There’s an old Bill Graham-Tower of Power story about how, after a couple of years of fiery disagreements, unsuccessful attempts to convince the promoter to book a soul-forward group and a couple of successful singles, Graham let the band play his personal Christmas party. By then, band founder/saxophonist Emilio Castillo had even changed the group’s name from The Motowns to Tower of Power in an attempt to make the group more attractive to Graham. After sound check that afternoon, Graham walked up to Castillo.

“I’m going to say something, and I don’t want you to talk,” Graham said. “I know you guys have been having a difficult time. Let’s just say I had a good roll of the dice this year. Take this envelope, and don’t say a word.” In the envelope was $10,000. “For a starving band at the bottom of their career in 1981 it was a big deal,” Castillo says. “We all split it.”

It was 1968 when Castillo met baritone saxman Stephen “Doc” Kupka and formed the band. In 1970, they were joined by bassist Francis “Rocco” Prestia and drummer David Garibaldi. That same foursome opens the music offerings for Monterey County Fair Thursday, Aug. 31.

By now Oakland-based Tower of Power has helped rewrite the book on what an R&B horn and rhythm section can be. Theirs is a veritable wall of sound, with trademark syncopated, staccato brass and wind lines punching like a string of firecrackers.

John Michael Montgomery follows Tower of Power Friday, Sept. 1. Growing up, Montgomery’s family had a band; his first hit “Life’s a Dance” propelled him to national stardom. “Most people have chairs and sofas in their living rooms,” he says. “We had amplifiers and drum kits.”

He’s now sold 16 million albums and charted 15 No. 1 singles, four Academy of Country Music Awards and four Billboard Awards, among others.

Glenn Henry, who headlines Sept. 2, has ridden Beatlemania with his Paperback Writer tribute since 2005. A right-handed guitarist, Henry learned to play electric bass left-handed to personify Paul McCartney. His L.A.-based band’s playlist spans Fab Four history with a keen eye for detail, not only musically, but visually, with costume and set changes. “It’s a full-on theatrical production,” Henry says.

All concerts begin at 7:30pm. Latin/reggae fusionists Rúckatan Latin Tribe appear on Sunday. Bands from Samz School of Rock jam at 2pm on Monday.

MONTEREY COUNTY FAIR noon-11pm Thursday-Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 3; noon-10pm Monday, Sept. 4. Monterey Fair and Event Center, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey. $8/in advance; $10/door. 372-5863, montereycountyfair.com