Kudos to Country Music fans!
2010 CMA Fest = Awesome
Well, 2010 CMA Music Festival has come to a close. Can we all take a collective sigh? And can we also revel in the splendor that was the Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience? It was an AMAZING event from start to finish.
From the early week activities including the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge and the CMA Global Artist Party to mid-week festivities including Wednesday’s Parade, Block Party and CMT Music Awards to the official Fest activities that launched Thursday with The Judds at Riverfront Park all the way through Brad Paisley’s closing LP Field set on Sunday, 2010 was a Fest to remember. One might even call it the best Fest yet!
Thanks Be to the Fans
Even with such an overload of entertainment options (and there were a TON), it’s easy to pinpoint the singular highlight of the week. That single highlight is the fans – the fans who came together with a collective goal of celebrating Country Music, honoring our favorite artists, and helping Nashville reclaim its glory as Music City!
To all you fans who braved the heat and the grueling pace of CMA Music Festival this year, HATS OFF TO YOU! Words aren’t enough to tell you how much we appreciate you and what you brought to Tennessee to make this year’s Festival the BIGGEST ONE EVER! You helped Nashville shine at a time when it needs it most. While words will never be enough, please know how much the Nashville and the Country Music communities value you.
Planning for More Awesomeness
Many have asked about the 2011 event. Please know it is scheduled for Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12, 2011. Renewals will be going out in early July. If you had a four-day ticket for this year’s event, you’ll have first dibs at ordering for 2011! (And if you want better seats than you had this year, there will be an option to upgrade your seats, based on availability after renewals are processed.) The nationwide on-sale for the 2011 event will follow the renewal program in late July or early August.
To be sure you’re up to date on all the details, get signed up for CMA Exclusive, and also like/follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Three More Hours of 2010 CMA Fest
Don’t forget to tune in to see yourself on TV when “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” airs Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 8/7c on ABC. Tim McGraw is hosting, and there are more than 20 stars featured in the special. We’ll be watching with you and remembering all the fun we had one hot June in Nashville… 
To Follow Cory: www.Twitter.com/ChappedMan
(Written by Lisa Hendin)
There’s always a unique energy in the air on the last night of CMA Music Festival. That proved true again on Sunday, June 13, as fans filed into LP Field for the fourth and final time of the week, preparing to soak up their last hours of Country Music ecstasy before heading back to reality.
Following the national anthem by Mark Wills and comic interlude from Paul Harris of The Cleverlys, Arkansas native Justin Moore took the stage, sporting a cowboy hat and plaid shirt with just enough buttons undone to make much of the female contingent take notice. He prepped the audience with a question: “Anybody out there proud to be from a small town?” The answer was clearly positive, with cheers and screams filling the stadium as Moore launched into “Small Town USA.”
Moore expanded on this theme as he set up his closing tune. “We figured you can’t be from Small Town USA unless you grew up way out in the backwoods,” he proclaimed. The response, as he kicked into “Backwoods,” proved that everybody, regardless of how big or small their hometown, could connect with his message and music.
“I thought Justin did fantastic. I just want to know how he squats so low in those really tight jeans,” joked Katie Nordstrom, 25, who hails from central New Jersey.
Next up was Kellie Pickler. Rocking a red cocktail dress, she got the crowd going right away with “Best Days of Your Life.” Cameras flashed rapidly as she slowed things down with “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You,” a song she favors so much it’s on both of her albums. Before finishing with “Red High Heels,” Pickler stuck true to her reputation of speaking her mind as she announced to the delighted audience that she was “sweating like a hog” in the steamy summer heat.
Another artist known for humorous remarks, Blake Shelton entered next and opened with a saga of prison escape and hound-dog romance, “Ol’ Red.” Then, halfway into his set, Shelton decided to tell the audience a bit about himself.
“I’m a lover,” he proclaimed. “I love hunting. I love fishing. I love women. I love drinking. And I love Country Music, y’all!” Applause exploded throughout the sold-out stadium as he then dedicated his next song, “Kiss My Country Ass,” to anyone offended by what he believes.
Even those cheers paled, though, to the ovation that rose as Shelton’s fiancée, Miranda Lambert, joined her husband-to-be for a duet on his hit single “Home.” “It was so amazing to hear Miranda sing with Blake tonight because it’s something they don’t do often,” said Brooke Swenson of Kansas City, Mo. “They’re so perfect for each other. She brings out a soft side in him the public doesn’t often see.”
That tender moment vanished almost as quickly as it came when Trace Adkins joined Shelton for a stompin’ rendition of “Hillbilly Bone.” Then Adkins opened his own set with “Hot Mama,” after which he thanked his fans for “bringing their badonkadonks” to Nashville. Needless to say, he closed with “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” in a performance that inspired Amanda Breeden of Hedgesville, W.Va. to quip, “He sure knows how to shake it.”
CMA New Talent Award winner Darius Rucker took the crowd for a trip down memory lane, belting out “Only Wanna Be with You” and Prince’s “Purple Rain” from his Hootie & The Blowfish catalog. By the end of the set, the screams of the crowd confirmed once more that Rucker had found a true and new home in the Country community.
Anticipation and excitement escalated as the crowd braced for the finale of CMA Music Festival 2010. Emcee Evan Farmer, host of CMT’s “Top 20 Countdown,” attempted to introduce the final act, yet the screams erupting from the crowd muffled his comments completely. The throb of the bass and drums set tens of thousands of hands clapping as Brad Paisley made his entrance. The reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year was so overwhelmed by his reception that he even forgot the words to his opening song.
“Wait a minute,” he said, laughing, as the band kept the groove pumping. “What are the words? What’s the first line of this song? Does anybody know?” The audience shouted their cues back, and Paisley responded with a full 10-song set that included “Ticks,” “She’s Everything,” “Welcome to the Future” and other hits.
The highlight of the night came last, though, as Paisley invited Rucker, Moore and Chuck Wicks onto the stage to help him close the show with “Alcohol.” Laughter nearly shook the stadium as Rucker took on the line “helping white people dance,” accompanied by some moves of his own. Before the song had finished, the audience was on its feet, unleashing waves of appreciation that washed repeatedly over the stage. Shouting over their cheers, Paisley asked, “You glad you guys came this year?” Their reaction was unanimously and enthusiastically affirmative.
Gettin’ Social at Wildhorse Saloon
(contributed by Lisa Hendin)
The code has been cracked! After days of clues like “It’s between a rock and a hard place” and “It has some ugly neighbors,” fans finally uncovered the location of this year’s CMT Music Festival Fan Social.
The Wildhorse Saloon was filled to capacity on Saturday, June 12 as hundreds poured in to watch performances from their favorite artists.
With all three levels of the venue completely full, employees had to block the entrance doors, leaving a line full of hopefuls that wrapped around the block.
Those who made it inside rushed to the dance floor, inching as close to the main stage as the gates would allow. Some lucky attendees received a color-coded ticket at the door, their voucher to meet certain artists performing at the event.
CMT’s “Top 20 Countdown” host Evan Farmer introduced each artist to the stage and conducted a Q&A session with them at the end of each set. He started things off with Chris Janson, a young man who almost didn’t make it to the show.
Janson had passed out from the heat earlier in the day, but when the hospital told him the minimum stay for dehydration was two hours, he chose to spend the time with his fans instead. The Missouri native sang some solid original songs, but the crowd was equally blown away by his fine-tuned harmonica skills.
Next up was Randy Houser, who walked onstage with only one question: “Who came out with their boots on?” With his brother accompanying him on piano, Houser sang the recent hit, along with several others and shed light on the “Boots On” music video.
Rodney Atkins kicked off the second hour of the show with a toast to the audience, proclaiming “Here’s to the greatest music fans in the entire world!”He performed a number of his hits, as well as his newest single, “Farmer’s Daughter.”
Bringing some girl power to the show, Laura Bell Bundy rocked the crowd. Applause filled the building and the Broadway star even teared up as she thanked the fans for being supportive.
Bundy eventually swapped her boots for clogs and finished the set with a choreographed version of her most recent hit “Giddy On Up,” bringing those still seated to their feet.
The big surprise of the night came from newcomer Jaron and the Long Road to Love, when Jaron Lowenstein slipped onto the stage during a set change and began belting out his single, “Pray for You.” The crowd took over the chorus, thrilled about the unexpected appearance.
Country Music’s favorite redneck woman, Gretchen Wilson, followed by “Getting You Home” singer Chris Young, closed the show, leaving yet another CMT Fan Social a success.
Mellowed Out in the Music City Zone
(contributed by Kirby Smith)
The GAC Music City Stage offered a breather from the action at other packed and high-energy CMA Music Fest venues. Besides a well-blended mixture of hip and vintage Country, the show on Sunday afternoon, June 13 included among its incentives chairs for the weary, personal cabanas in the form of umbrellas and tables and fountains perfect for cooling off.
Sunday afternoon’s show featured Charmaine, originally from Sydney, Australia, and a Nashville resident for a decade now. “Being from Australia, I understand this scorching hot weather,” Charmaine empathized in her faint Aussie accent.
The light stylings of Charmaine’s music washed over the crowd like a cool breeze. Her minimal band of a drummer and keyboardist provided the foundation for her songs like “Tokyo” and “At My Door.”
In contrast, Charlie Louvin opened the history of Country Music to the assembled spectators. Louvin, who made history with his late brother Ira as The Louvin Brothers, performed a Louvin Brothers classic, “The Christian Life.”
Two special guests were in the audience: Louvin’s grandchildren, Cassidy, 13, and Cade, 11, Louvin of Reading, Pa.
(contributed by Hillary Evans and Kirby Smith)
Pockets ran deep at the 27th Annual Celebrity Auction for the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee on Sunday afternoon, June 13. Held on the CMA Music Festival’s Family Zone Stage, this year’s auction partnered with Martina McBride and raised over $100,000. Since 1983, the YWCA Celebrity Auction has raised $1.4 million to support the services of the YWCA Weaver Domestic Violence Center.
A spirit of generosity prevailed throughout the event as one by one celebrities assisted in auctioning off items. Bo Bice kicked off the day enthusiastically as he paraded items in front of the items, encouraging higher bids. In one instance, he began to auction a four-person meet-and-greet at any of his concerts and an autographed to-do list and parking pass from his days as an “American Idol” contestant. But as guest emcee Storme Warren of GAC and Sirius Satellite Radio urged him to push the bid up to $1,000, he ended up adding the shirt off his back – autographed, of course – and a ring, given to him by a fan, from his finger. The winning fan, who Bice introduced as “Ms. Sue,” mirrored the charitable spirit when she gave back the ring to Bice, much to the crowd’s pleasure.
One notable sale involved framed and handwritten lyrics of Big & Rich’s “She’s a Butterfly,” autographed by Big Kenny, who personally auctioned the item. After pushing the bid to $11,000, he surprised the crowd by adding that another, identical copy was available too. Both sold for a combined sum of $22,000.
Long time McBride fans Paul, 52, and Ginny, 48, Thompson of Newbury, Mass., originally attended the auction for a chance to see their favorite star but left with a new found respect for another artist. “I never viewed Big Kenny the way I forever will now,” Paul said. “He’s a big personality and really used it to encourage people to spend a lot of money for a good cause.”
The Thompsons showed their support by acquiring a Martina McBride cutout and two meet-and-greets for a total of $3,100.
Other items in the auction included artist autographed CDs, photos, clothing, microphones, guitars and an autographed and framed Carrie Underwood CD, which went for $1,650. Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Martina McBride, who appeared at and co-sponsored the event along with Warren, the YWCA and CMA to sponsor the event.
“We believe in this cause,” said Jerry and Linda Keltner, both 60, from Louisville, Ky. Linda, who received the four-day CMA Fest passes for her birthday, also was hoping to see McBride. “Through the hardest times in my life, Martina McBride’s music has touched my heart like no other,” she said. “I would like to see her and meet her.”
For those who could not afford the higher-ticket items or who wanted to take home a souvenir, grab bags filled with Martina McBride T-shirts, CDs, headshots, key chains and other items were available for $20.
(contributed by Kirby Smith)
Country artist Jason Brown and Championship Bull Riding rider Jake Littlefield held on for eight seconds apiece and defended their two-year winning streak at the Mahindra Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge Sunday afternoon, June 13, at CMA Music Festival’s Family Zone Fifth Avenue South Plaza.
This year the duo defeated semifinalists Lee Roy of The Roys and CBR rider Wrangler Dunda. Brown and Littlefield’s winning scores of 87 and 91, respectively, were enough to beat Dunda’s 90 and his partner Roy’s 0. Roy failed to stay on the mechanical bovine and received no points in the final round.
The event paired five CBR riders with five CMA artists. Each team member rode the bull; their scores were averaged to determine two semi-finalist teams. Riders were judged on audience participation, style and technique.
Serving as judges were CBR Director of Corporate Partnership Scott Davis and CBR President and Board Member Tuff Hedeman. A superstar of the sport of bull riding, Hedeman boasts three Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association World Champion Bull Rider titles.
However, not everyone in attendance has as large of bull riding repertoire as Hedeman. Ruth Mastmeyer, 52, Berlin, Germany, had not seen a bull riding event until this one. “This is my third year to attend CMA Music Fest, and I chose to watch this event for the cowboys and the musicians.”
Also participating in this event were Elaine Roy of The Roys (and sister to semi-finalist Lee) and CBR rider Cooper Kanngiesser; “Nashville Star” alum Jason Meadows and CBR rider Trent Cormier; and Bo Bice and CBR rider Luke Kelly.
(contributed by Hillary Evans)
On Sunday, June 13, the hottest day of the CMA Music Festival, fans braved special heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service in order to watch a final day of great music on the Chevy Music Stage at Bridgestone Plaza.
Carter’s Chord hit the stage ready to go Sunday afternoon, June 13. The band, consisting of sisters Becky, Emily, and Joanna Robertson, provided amazing harmonies and showcased their musical chops by playing a variety of instruments such as the guitar, keyboard and accordion.
The girls’ smooth tunes were balanced by KingBilly’s set, which got fans up and dancing along to the electrifying and often bluesy guitar riffs powered by drummer Kevin Weaver’s strong beat. Lead vocalist Donny Fallgatter set the mood by opening up the set by shouting to a crowd primed to scream affirmatively, “Are you guys ready for a 20-minute party?” The band, made up Fallgatter, dobro player and vocalist Josh Matheny, guitar player John Osborne, bass player Matt Utterback and Weaver, then played rockin’ country songs including “I Wanna Come Back as Her Beer” and “Stompin’ Ground,” as well as the opening song from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and the theme song from the video game “Super Mario Brothers.”
Apparently KingBilly decided the crowd was up for anything, as the set ended with the energetic and dynamic Fallgatter climbing up the ladder on the side of the stage to sing the final song, which prompted several security guards to rush over in case things took a turn for the worse. Fortunately, the set concluded without incident.
Tyler Miller, 14, of South Haven, Miss. enjoyed every moment of the concert. Wearing a cowboy hat covered with artist autographs, Miller admitted his main goal during the Festival was “to meet as many artists as possible.” But KingBilly was on the top of his list. “They are my favorite band,” said Miller, whose favorite KingBilly song is “Make Her Bad.” “I would love to meet them.
Taylor Swift Shares the Pleasures of Lucky 13
(contributed by Jodee Hammond)
The Bridgestone Arena turned into a castle Sunday, June 13, for “swiftesses” who attended the CMA Music Festival. It sure felt like a place where dreams came true, thanks to Taylor Swift’s willingness to spend 13 hours with her fans at her “13-Hour Meet and Greet.”
That number was no accident, for 13 is Swift’s lucky number. Many of her fans lucked out as well.
Nine-year-old Madie Michel from New Orleans, La., was so star-struck after meeting Swift, she was practically speechless. But Stacey Sapp, 20, from Kernersville, N.C., had plenty to say: “She was unbelievably genuine. She looked me in the eyes and hugged me.”
Swift’s fans seemed to look forward to that particular possibility. “She gives the greatest hugs,” said 10-year-old Caitlin Kealey, whose equally excited mom drove her and her sisters in from Raleigh, N.C. They stood next to their homemade sign that proclaimed to meet Swift would be “priceless,” despite the $200 speeding ticket Kealey’s mom received on the drive into town.
The uniqueness about Swift fans is that they are not limited to a single demographic group. Grown men and women, teenage boys and little girls all waited anxiously to receive the text granting them permission to meet Swift.
Ellen Snow, 16, also from Kernersville, not only received the opportunity to meet Swift but also got one of her celebrated embraces. “She smells good,” Snow laughed. “But more seriously, she complimented my dress, and that’s huge for me. It means a lot that she’s so down to earth.”
Many Swift admirers imitated her style in a dress paired with cowboy boots. Others made jerseys from T-shirts with the number “13” and “swiftess” for their name. It was a rare sight to see someone who wasn’t decked out in Swift memorabilia.
It was also rare to see someone who wasn’t beaming in happiness. Even fans wearing casual clothes participated in the cheer “scream if you love Taylor Swift.” Others carried signs to personally profess their love for her. Ten-year-old Brendan Patman from Valeene, Ind., carried his creative sign with a heart-shaped light attached to it. “I just want her to know I’m a big fan,” Patman said.
The mere possibility of meeting Swift generated visions of a fairytale land. “I just can’t believe this happened to me,” Sapp said.
(contributed by Jodee Hammond)
Just when it seemed the weather could not get any hotter, the Riverfront Park Daytime Stage started smoking on Saturday, June 12, with performances by Big Kenny and Lorrie Morgan.
Although the fans savored every breeze, their focus was on the performances. “You all are so fun,” Kenny said as they danced and clapped along to every song. “The more you clap, the cooler I get.”
Kenny was determined for his audience to have a great time. “We always like to make sure everywhere we go that everybody feels the musical medicine,” he explained while encouraging everyone to turn to their neighbors to introduce themselves as he introduced songs from his album, The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy.
The rock and roll farm boy music of Big Kenny turned pure Country with Lorrie Morgan. “She still has the voice and the following,” said Kris Nowicki, 45, from Acworth, Ga., who sat on the lawn and swayed to each of her songs.
Morgan’s performance also consisted of an array of songs from her latest album, I Walk Alone. “When I wrote this album, I wrote it from true life experiences, especially ones you ladies can relate to,” she said.
In addition to her new songs, Morgan’s rendition of the Webb Pierce/Wayne Walker tune “Leavin’ on Your Mind” was a crowd favorite. “The first love of my life was Country Music,” she affirmed, and that passion was still shining on the Riverfront Park Daytime Stage.
(contributed by Jodee Hammond)
The sounds of banjo, and guitar and high harmonies flowed out of the Durango Acoustic Corner on Sunday, June 13. The afternoon lineup featured an array of bluegrass, Celtic, folk and downright Country music that brought in a huge crowd that filled up the room.
Cherryholmes’ Jere Skaggs greeted the listeners with an exclamation of “shakin’ howdy!” Known for their hard-driving instrumental virtuosity and explosive vocal harmonies, the group played a 30-minute set of their original songs.
Giving the audience a good laugh, Eddie Stubbs, historian and on-air personality at WSM Nashville-650 AM, accidentally cut their performance short. He then insisted the group play one more song. Cherryholmes wrapped up with a two-minute instrumental, which wowed the audience.
Next was Balsam Range, a group selected from the thousands of entries in WSM’s Sonicbids competition. Sonicbids is a marketing tool for independent musicians to use to market their brands.
“We’re honored to be here,” said Buddy Melton, 41, on the fiddle. “It’s great to be a part of the WSM portion of it because we’ve all been fans of the Grand Ole Opry and Eddie Stubbs, and that’s the heart of the music we play.”
Based in Haywood County, N.C., the five friends began playing collectively three years ago. Guitarists Caleb Smith, 32, and Marc Pruett, who described himself as “way past 40,” joined mandolin player Darren Nicholson, 26, bassist Tim Surrett, 46, and Melton in introducing the audience to their Appalachian-inspired songs from their latest album Last Train to Kitty Hawk.
The mood shifted with Sean Patrick McGraw’s rock-rooted Country, who sang his newest single titled “My So Called Life.” “No, I’m not related to Tim,” he said to assure the audience recognized the hard work it took for him to climb his way toward the top.
The sassy Chelsea Field showed her passion for Country Music as she performed songs including “Things I Should’ve Said,” that recently started to receive air time. Field said she was “screaming like a crazy lady” the first time she saw her video on CMT.
This wide variety of Sunday’s performances enabled Durango Acoustic Corner to end its Festival run on a good note.
