The series, which begins in July, also features a special Christmas show by country a cappella group Home Free

The Barricade Boys from London and the Shamrock Tenors from Ireland add an international touch to the series.

“It is going to be a fantastic year of shows,” college President Jesse Ulrich said Tuesday evening during an announcement party held in Decker Auditorium.

“You’d have to go out of town 60 miles or more to see a show like these,” he said.

-Messenger photos by Britt Kudla From left, Iowa Central Community College President Dr. Jessie Ulrich, of Fort Dodge; Mary Ludwig, of Fort Dodge; Samantha Grady, of Fort Dodge; and Brady O’Brien, of Fort Dodge, introduce the Iowa Central Community College Artist Series announcement party on Tuesday inside Decker Auditorium

The series will begin July 25 with a Christian music concert featuring Big Daddy Weave with guests Ben Fuller and Megan Woods.

Big Daddy Weave, a five member group, is known for hits like “Redeemed,” “My Story” and “Let It Begin.”

Fuller is known for “If I Got Jesus” and “Who Am I” while Woods burst onto the Christian music scene with “The Truth.”

A comedy show by Etta May and the Southern Fried Chicks is set for Sept 13. May has Iowa roots.

“She could not be more excited to come back to Iowa,” said Brady O’Brien, coordinator of the college’s Center for Performing Arts.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Jarred Benson, of Fort Dodge, performs during the Iowa Central Community College Artist Series announcement party on Tuesday inside Decker Auditorium.

Poppe returns to Iowa Central on Oct. 1 in a concert that will also feature David Cook, another American Idol winner.

In a video message played during Tuesday’s announcement party, Poppe said she is excited to come back to campus and perform in the recently renovated Decker Auditorium.

Poppe, a native of Clarksville, won the American Idol competition in 2018. She had been a student at Iowa Central in 2016. She is known for the single “Going, Going, Gone.”

Cook is known for the song “Light On” as well as a part in the Broadway show “Kinky Boots.”

The Angstrom Brass, a quartet from Kansas City featuring two trumpets, a trombone and a tuba will headline an Oct. 23 show. Local group Jive 4 Five will be the opening act.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Iowa Central Community College President Dr. Jessie Ulrich, of Fort Dodge, introduces the Iowa Central Community College Artist Series at the announcement party on Tuesday inside Decker Auditorium.

The Christmas show by Home Free is set for Dec. 13. Home Free has racked up 20 Top 10 hits.

The 2026 portion of the series will start with a Jan. 31 performance by The Barricade Boys.The four members of the group have all performed on stage in London’s West End, which is the British equivalent of Broadway. They will sing show tunes plus rock, swing and Motown songs.

The Shamrock Tenors will take the stage on March 6, 2026. Their Fort Dodge concert is part of the group’s first American tour.

Selah, which has been a major presence in Christian music for more than 25 years, will perform March 28, 2026. The trio has sold more than 4 million albums and received 11 Dove Awards.

Anthem Lights will wrap up the series with a May 2, 2026, show. The pop group has amassed nearly 5 million You Tube views.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Brady O’Brien, of Fort Dodge, introduces the Iowa Central Community College Artist Series at the announcement party on Tuesday inside Decker Auditorium.

The musical lineup was introduced with a bit of live music Tuesday. A band consisting of Alyssa Allbee (vocals), Jarred Benson (guitar), Mason O’Brien (bass), Jake Rossow (drums), Reese Pederson, (keyboard) and Brady O’Brien (piano) got things started the classic “Staying Alive” by The Bee Gees and played several other numbers.

Ulrich and Brady O’Brien were joined on stage by Mary Ludwig, vice president of development and alumni relations; and Samantha Reeves Grady, associate vice president of student services; to announce the lineup.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Alyssa Allbee, of Fort Dodge, performs during the Iowa Central Community College Artist Series announcement party on Tuesday inside Decker Auditorium.