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CMA Music Festival

CMA Music Festival is steeped in over three decades of Fan Fair ® tradition. Since Fan Fair was born in 1972, Country Fans Music poured into Nashville, Tennessee, traveling around the world to see their favorite artists perform to achieve that coveted autograph and to create unforgettable memories.

CMA Music Festival is unique among music festivals. It's a four-day celebration of American music that the artist / interaction with fans, signing autographs on pictures, over 100 hours of concerts, family activities and more.

Every year, hundreds of artists and celebrities appear in CMA Music Festival – rising stars, favorites and legends. CMA Music Festival is a true Stomping ground for both those who love making music and those they like to hear.

Presented annually by the Country Music Association, this world class event has grown to attract nearly 200,000 fans from around the world in 2007, while increasing money simultaneously for "Keep the Music Playing", a music education initiative in local public schools through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education. From the co-creator of "Keep the Music Playing" in 2006, the Association has donated more than $ 2.2 million to the cause of the products generated during the Music Festival of the AMC.

History of CMA Music Festival

Fan Fair began in response to overcrowding in the annual Country Music DJ Convention in Nashville. The large number of artists from countries in attendance has attracted a greater number of fans waiting to see their favorite stars. CMA, with the Grand Ole Opry, has decided that if a festival has been created especially for the fans at any other time of year, not only relieve congestion, but this would be another opportunity to promote country music.

1970

The first Fan Fair, held 12-15 April 1972 at the City Auditorium in Nashville, has hosted some of the foremost artists of the country music he has completed more 20 hours of live entertainment. Guest artists include Roy Acuff, Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, Freddie Hart, Nat Stuckey, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Ernest Tubb, Del Wood, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper and Pee Wee King, among others. About 5,000 people attended the first Fan Fair. With over 100 exhibition stands, fans can participate in making the photo and autograph sessions with artists. The Chuck Wagon Gang of Odessa Odessa, Texas, served as his "Texas menu" of BBQ, beans, lettuce, onion, pickles, bread and drinks.

The first Fan Fair barely begun before the fans and artists began to investigate the on the date for next year. Fan Fair 1973 was moved to June, a peak month for travel, which provides for better weather in April. A little over 10,000 fans – more than twice the first year – attended.

The fans at Fan Fair 1974 witnesses the history of Country music as Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton performed duets that would be the last time in over a decade. The festivities were also highlighted by an unexpected visit from former Beatle Paul McCartney Country music fan, a visit leading to a tradition of the Cross artist appearances at the festival.

1980

With the explosion of popularity country music Fan Fair continued to grow each year. In 1982, the event was moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds to accommodate more fans. That same year, the tournament Celebrity softball has been replaced by competition Games All American countries. This event was held annually until 1988 and received the Special Olympics of Tennessee. In 1989, more performances were added to take the place of the Games.

In 1985, Patty Loveless, Vince Gill asked for an autograph at Fan Fair and had her a photo with him. It was not a star, but Vince said it would be soon. Two years later, Vince sang on his record and eventually won CMA Female Vocalist of the Year.

1991

Fan Fair celebrates its 20th anniversary in 1991 with an expanded program. Over 65 artists from the countries that played in more 34 hours of live performances. The exhibition hall also increased, with over 200 artists to create booths for autograph sessions. And while Kathy Mattea had strict orders from his doctor not to speak due to injury of the vocal cords, he managed to communicate with their fans through a personal computer.

A quick comparison of the artists who appeared at the first fair of the fans and those who have made appearances at the event return "91 testifies the durability of Country Music and artists like Bill Monroe, Mac Wiseman and Freddie Hart made both lists.

1992

Some of the most popular artists country music, including Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Kathy Mattea, Wynonna and a newcomer to the high energy called Billy Ray Cyrus, appeared at the event in 1992. More than 600 representatives of the media covered the event, including representatives of Switzerland, Japan, Brazil, Sweden, Spain, England, Ireland, Luxembourg, and France.

1993

In 1993, "Alan Jackson's Chattahoochee stand won first prize at the booth. Doug Stone and former "Music City Tonight" Star Lorianne Crook came to the booth of stone carved as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara. Lorrie Morgan, said " out of this world "approach to their booth with a UFO crash and aliens. Travis Tritt, signed autographs at a Gibson guitar giant.

Billy Ray Cyrus astonished people calling the pop star Bryan Adams to join him for a few songs. Adams said later: "I've never seen before Fan Fair. There is not none of that in rock and roll "!" Shania Twain met her future husband, producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, in between racks at Fan Fair. Although they have developed a great friendship phone after Twain Lange got the phone number of friend Bryan Adams, it does not really face to face to the Fan Fair 1993.

1994

In 1994, nearly 100 artists from the countries made during the celebration. Willie Nelson made a surprise appearance at the Liberty Records show that the last artist on the label. Also at issue Liberty, John Berry is back in the early stage after brain surgery May He performed his No. 1 hit, "Your Love Amazes Me". Reba McEntire also surprised the audience when he joined Linda Davis of Arista Records show singing his CMA and Grammy Award winning song, "Does He Love You". Celebrities outside the country music continued to appear in the Fan Fair This year, when actor Danny Glover made his appearance.

1995

Many legends roll of film and television stars, stars sports and rock 'n' visited Fan Fair over the years. In 1995, Maureen McCormick ( "The Brady Bunch"), Branscombe Richmond (Renegade) and Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding field could be seen signing autographs and fan assembly. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman visited Fan Fair in 1995 and 1996.

In 1995, fans of Vince Gill admitted to rise soon to catch a 4:15 a place in line for autographs. Vince sat down to salute the fans, dressed in trousers short, and even removing his shoes. Toby Keith has not left a torn ligament hinder their Fan Fair activities. He has obstructed its position on crutches and has played in the Fan Fair stage, sitting on a stool so you do not put weight on his injured leg. Tammy Wynette and George Jones reunited on stage for their first concert together for 17 years.

1996

1996 marked the 25th anniversary of the event. Over 100 artists performed to sold out audiences. During the week, Garth Brooks made an unexpected appearance and signed autographs for 23 consecutive hours. "Good Morning America was on hand to broadcast live. Alan Jackson arrived by helicopter. And the Beach Boys have been associated with country music stars like Ronnie Milsap, Lorrie Morgan, Doug Supernaw Collin Raye and "fun under the sun ".

1997

Specialty shows have been highlights of the year 1997 with "The Working Man Show" host that included George Jones, Merle Haggard and Johnny Paycheck's team for the wines of "yesterday" (which were also blocked by Steve Wariner, Sara Evans and Charlie Daniels) and the final Honky Tonk "with Hank Thompson, who capped off the week.

1998

1998 was a year full of surprises like Dolly Parton has teamed up with Lee Ann Womack during the presentation of Decca Records to perform "Jolene", which makes Dolly's first appearance at Fan Fair over a decade. Garth Brooks unexpectedly took the stage to perform "Burnin 'Down The Road House" and "Long Neck Bottle" with Steve Wariner collaborator during the presentation of Capitol Nashville. And Vince Gill danced his way on stage to perform "You're The One That I Want" with Olivia Newton-John at the launch of MCA Nashville.

1999

Exciting "two for one" was the agreement to-day in 1999. Waylon Jennings joined Andy Griggs RCA newcomer to the classic "I Do not Think Hank done it this way." Lorrie Morgan Sammy Kershaw joined the Mercury Lounge. And The Oak Ridge Boys joined the South Atlantic sixty-five years the return of "Bobbie Sue." Fan Fair once again had an economic impact important in Nashville, it is conservatively estimated at more than $ 10 million from Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

2000

Over 200 artists participated in 2000, including more than 40 platinum and multi-platinum acts such as Brooks & Dunn, Clint Black, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Lonestar, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes and SHeDAISY. The newcomers, including Alecia Elliott, Billy Gilman and Phil Vassar also mingle with fans. Even music legends country Janie Fricke, Loretta Lynn, Ronnie Milsap and Charley Pride have joined the festivities of the week. Chely Wright learned to enjoy time as a fan herself when Wright and Pam Tillis joined Country Music icon Loretta Lynn in the stand of the Grand Ole Opry's. Since the trio climbed onto the booth to greet a crowd Fan, who scored a point in the anthology of country music, with three generations of artists gather at the event.

2001

2001 marked a new era for Fan Fair as the event was an impressive comeback of downtown Nashville. Fans who attended "The World's Biggest Country Music Festival ™" are introduced to many news sites, sounds and places that constitute the revamped event.

The event brought home rejuvenated The Coliseum Tennessee Titans the NFL, as the location for the concerts at night, crashed with the state of modern staging and fireworks. The Nashville Convention Center became in the new, air conditioning, fan-favorite house and autograph sessions. And the music on the banks of the Cumberland River for the concerts of the day in Riverfront Park stages, with a rich variety of artists and musical styles.

In response to the needs of festival attendees, the AMC has introduced two new attractions popular: the field of family, a free-to-the-public party atmosphere with games, product sampling and a series of activities for people of all ages, and After Hours, a collaboration of Center Nashville clubs and discos with live music and special participants.

Another novelty in 2001 was the addition of stars Powerful drama days of NBC's "Days of Our Lives" and "Passions", a show and sign autographs for a crowd of fans.

2002

Fan Fair 2002 attracted a total attendance of over 126,500. The Colosseum with many countries, the most popular music stars, including Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Jo Dee Messina, John Michael Montgomery, Rascal Flatts, Earl Scruggs, SHeDAISY, Cyndi Thomson, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Womack.

New in 2002 was the arch Andy Griggs Celebrity Archery Tournament, which marked an eye Beef with fans and artists competed in the front and purpose of the arrow-shooting competition.

The event was a success in Nashville as well, throwing a record of 17.5 million U.S. dollars in the local economy. Since its inception, an estimated Fan Fair has contributed more than $ 200 million to the Nashville area.

2003

In 2003, celebrities from many fields has made appearances Fan Fair include Lance Bass of * NSYNC, Verne Troyer of "Austin Powers" movies, Teresa Earnhardt, widow of racing legend Dale Earnhardt, the stars of NBC dramas Days day "of our lives" and "Passions" in their appearance in the third year, and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Drew Bennett.

But the artists remained at the heart of the event with over 500 appearances in the exhibition hall at the Nashville Convention Center, 42 artists invited to interpret Night Concerts The Colosseum and 82 artists on stage in Riverfront Park. The artists who participated included Alabama, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, Trick Pony, Darryl Worley and more. The event culminated a triumph of music when Naomi Judd joined daughter Wynonna to perform two songs.

2004

As Fan Fair continued evolving into a world-class city festival focused on music, which was renamed the Music Festival CMA in 2004. That same year had the largest attendance to the date, more than 130,000 fans who attended the event during its four days. New additions include the gymnasium and changing sound.

The event was filmed for television two-hour CBS special broadcast on July 14 and is ranked 16th this week with more than 9 million viewers. Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley, Terri Clark, Pat Green, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Uncle Kracker, Keith Urban, Hank Williams Jr. Gretchen Wilson, Wynonna and all have been outstanding in performance on the television special.

2005

In 2005, CMA Music Festival broke record assistance with more than 145,000 music fans in the country of the participants. Thirty-five events, participated in the starry night Concerts in the Colosseum, all phases of the shoreline of double activated with a range of over 100 acts to two large and independent to carry nearly 30 hours of concerts.

New for 2005 was the CMA Music Festival Kick Off Parade, which spans four blocks on Broadway before ending at Riverfront Park for the launch of the Festival. A total of 373 acts and celebrities appeared in the Wrangler ® Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) at Nashville Convention Center to sign autographs and photos. Fourteen Downtown Nashville clubs participated in CMA Music Festival After Hours ™. NBC during the day and CMA continued their successful partnership for the fifth consecutive year with stars of "Days of Our Life" and " Pasiones "make several appearances.

Two hours of television in prime time one-hour special "CMA Music Festival: Country Music Party bigger ", released nationally August 2 in the ABC television network, featuring highlights of the event. The artists included Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Jo Dee Messina, Dolly Parton and the Grascals, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Phil Vassar, Lee Ann Womack, Wynonna and Trisha Yearwood. The first stage was also the beginning of television Gretchen Wilson single "All Jacked Up".

2006

CMA Music Festival to establish a new attendance record in 2006 with 161,590 people attending the four-day festival, June 8-11 in downtown Nashville. In total, 33 events participated in the star-filled evening concerts at LP Field, Riverfront stages while double bustled with a rich variety of artists from two large multinational and independent. In total, 86 acts performed more than 32 hours of concerts.

New in 2006 was the "CMA Music Festival Block Party" after "The Second Annual CMA Music Festival Kick Off Parade "with great Rich and special guests and a variety of artists, celebrities and athletes travel Classic Chevy vehicles and the last vehicle model. In 2006, the CMA and the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, working together in the "Keep the Music Playing" initiative, which guarantees the product of the CMA Music Festival go to music education in local public schools. AMC plans to contribute $ 300,000 for music education to 73,000 students in Metro Nashville Public School in 2006.

A total of 326 artists and celebrities appeared in the Wrangler ® Fan Fair at the Convention Center in Nashville for autograph and photo sessions. Exhibit booths with 115 exhibitors sold. CMA Free Chevy Sports Zone, in its third year, beyond of the grounds of the stadium from downtown and was a huge success with participants and fans looking for fun and friendly competition among celebrities, artists and athletes. NBC during the day and CMA continued their successful partnership for the sixth consecutive year with stars from "Days of Our Lives" and "Passions" making several festival appearances. ABC's "Good Morning America" went live from the roof of Rippy's Bar Smokin 'Grill & Billy Currington, Sara Evans and Josh Turner.

For the second consecutive year, ABC issued two TV specials in prime time one hour highlights the event. Performers include Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Hank Williams Jr. and Wynonna.

2007

A new attendance record is established in 2007 with 191,154 fans attending the party. Attendees included more than 100 hours of concerts, 30 hours of organized autograph signings, activities family, celebrity sports competitions, interactive exhibits, prizes, games and more. Over 400 presentations were made famous in the 2007 CMA Music Festival.

Reba McEntire has made a comeback in 2007 after an absence of 11 years performing at LP Field with Kelly Clarkson made a surprise appearance. Other surprises Ted Nugent joined Montgomery Gentry onstage for a ferocious interpretation of "Cat Scratch Fever" and not notice a performance by country supergroup Rascal Rascal. Other artists taking stage at LP Field include Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood and The Wreckers.

The stars of the television series ABC daytime's "All My Children, One Life to Live" and "General Hospital" made its first appearance at the Festival in 2007. The players signed autographs in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall and introduced concerts. But the best thing for the fans had to be "Fun in the Sun" at the Wildhorse Lounge with interviews, performances, dance classes and other activities.

In 2007, ABC organized a block party that included "Ugly Betty" look-alikes, "Dancing with the Stars Champion Cheryl Burke, and contests to test participants' knowledge of emissions from ABC.

The fans also had to encourage their favorite celebrities, artists and athletes, as they compete in fun and friendly competition at the Chevy Sports Zone. These contests include the "sixth annual edition Andy Griggs Celebrity Archery Tournament Arc, "" The Steve Azar Celebrity Sports Challenge "and" The Michael Peterson / New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race.

For the third consecutive year, ABC issued a special broadcast on prime-time highlights from the event. Performers include Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

2008

CMA Music Festival has reached a new attendance record in 2008 with an increase of 9.4 percent during the four days of the festival, Thursday through Sunday downtown Nashville. The average daily attendance in 2008 was 52,000.

The festival began on Wednesday with Grand Marshall James Otto leading way in "The Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade "with an estimated crowd of 12,000 spectators. In After the procession, the fun kicked into high gear with" The Third Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party "on the Chevy Plaza at the Summit Center. Keith Anderson, Luke Bryan, Joe Nichols, James Otto, Phil Stacey, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Group comes to an estimated audience of 6,000 according to police.

Fan favorites Phil Vassar and Jo Dee Messina got the 2008 CMA Music Festival an energetic start Thursday morning during the launch concert in Riverfront Park. Fans were waiting before dawn to see the performers Central. The two hurried steps during the four days, with a rich variety of artists performers from both major and independent. In total, 106 acts over 34 hours of concerts.

The permanent state of agitation which has been the standard for the truTV ™ Fan Fair Hall was back in force with 408 artists and celebrities on the Nashville Convention Center. Sold exhibit booths with 110 exhibitors. Participation in the four days was more 53,000. Teen Sensation Taylor Swift, signed on Big Machine Records booth Saturday when the doors opened at 10:00 am to 6:00 pm – No rest. She signed 900 autographs, the longest marathon result since the signing of Garth Brooks '23 hours the firm in 1996. Kix Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Wynonna, Jessica Simpson, Kellie Pickler, Sara Evans, Julianne Hough, Lady Antebellum, Bucky Covington, Billy Gilman, Emerson Drive, Joe Nichols, James Otto and Chris Young also spent time greeting to fans and signing autographs during the event.

In all, 36 acts participated in the star-filled evening concert in the concert stage at LP Field vault including Jewel, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan, Jennifer Hanson, Faith Hill, Jack Ingram, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, Julianne Hough, Jake Owen, Ashton Shepherd, Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Craig Morgan, Kenny Rogers. Jason Michael Carroll, Jamey Johnson, Darryl Worley, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, James Otto, Randy Travis and Dwight Yoakam, Phil Stacey, John Stephan and Chuck Wicks.

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