Ten Legends of Country Music at CMA Fest 2018
Bill Anderson, Bobby Bare, Charley Pride, David Ball, John Berry, Lorrie Morgan, Ray Stevens, Ricky Skaggs, TG Sheppard, Tracy Lawrence… In my previous post, I spotlighted ‘Ten to Watch,’ new and emerging artists appearing at CMA Fest. In this post, let’s look at ten enduring talents who continue to entertain fans after many decades at the top of their game. Here’s where and when you can catch up with them at CMA Fest 2018. For tickets and everything you need to know about this year’s Fest, go here.
Bill Anderson & Bobby Bare
- Sunday, June 10, 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm
- CMA Close Up Stage
‘Whisperin’ Bill’ Anderson has released more than 40 studio albums, seven No. 1 singles and 29 Top 10 singles, and is a six-time Songwriter Of the Year award-winner. As a Grand Ole Opry member for more than 50 years and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame since 2001, Anderson is one of the most decorated songwriters and performers in country music history. He has the distinction of having an entry on the Country charts for seven consecutive decades – a record held by no other songwriter in history. He is the author (with Peter Cooper) of ‘Whispering Bill Anderson: An Unprecedented Life in Country Music.’ Info about Bill Anderson here.
Bobby Bare’s music career seemed to be stalling until he signed with RCA where Chet Atkins was willing to listen to his ideas. The result was Bare’s breakout hit ‘Shame On Me,’ followed by ‘Detroit City.’ Bare’s music became increasingly country with such hits as ‘Miller’s Cave’ and ‘Four Strong Winds.’ Bare was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013, among many other awards and accolades. In 2017, Rolling Stone named him one of the ’50 Greatest Country Artists of All Time.’ 2018 marks his 60th anniversary in the music business and the release of his studio album, ‘Things Change’ with two new accompanying music videos. More about Bobby here.
Charley Pride
- Friday, June 08, 7:55 pm – 8:25 pm
- Nissan Stadium
Charley Pride is celebrating his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The Country Music Hall of Fame member and Recording Academy ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ recipient made his Opry debut in 1967. Charley will take the Nissan Stadium stage on Friday, June 08 and will be sharing the stage that evening with a host of other modern country staples like Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Old Dominion. Tour updates and music here.
David Ball
- Sunday, June 10, 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
- Budweiser Forever Country Stage
David Ball had a string of hits starting with his debut single, ‘Thinkin’ Problem,’ in 1994. There were four more radio hits from that platinum-selling record, with the title track becoming the #1 selling single that year. More hits followed throughout the 90’s, like ‘Circle Of Friends’ and ‘Watching My Baby Not Coming Back,’ the latter co-written with Brad Paisley. His latest studio release, ‘Sparkle City,’ has been described as vintage David Ball. A new record, tentatively entitled ‘Come See Me Soon,’ will be released in the Fall of 2018. Tour info and music here.
John Berry
- Saturday, June 09, 1:15 – 1:45 pm
- Budweiser Forever Country Stage
It’s been a busy two years for John Berry with two new album releases and the launch of his own weekly syndicated television show. The singer-songwriter rose to stardom on the country charts of the 1990s with such mega hits as ‘Your Love Amazes Me,’ ‘Standing on the Edge of Goodbye’ and ‘She’s Taken a Shine.’ His annual Christmas tours brighten the holidays for thousands, as does his electrifying rendition of O’ Holy Night. During the 90’s and early 2000’s, John placed 20 singles on the county charts, 6 of which went Top 5.
His TV show, ‘Songs and Stories With John Berry,’ is now in its second season, reaching 105+ million homes weekly. See previous posts here at NashvilleMusicLine.com for more about the TV show. More about John and his music here.
Lorrie Morgan
- Thursday, June 07, 4:15 pm – 4:45 pm
- Budweiser Forever Country Stage
Lorrie Morgan, the first woman in her genre to begin her career with three consecutive Platinum albums, re-emerges on Shanachie Entertainment with ‘Letting Go….Slow.’ It is a collection that showcases a rainbow of emotions, from darkest heartache to bright, shiny humor.
Lorrie has been around great songs all her life. She is a Nashville native who is the daughter of Country Music Hall of Fame member George Morgan. She made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage at age 13, singing ‘Paper Roses.’ She was honored with induction into the Opry cast when she was just 24. Music, tour news and more here.
Ray Stevens
- Sunday June 10, 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
- CMA Close Up Stage
Often described as ‘the Comedy King of Music City,’ Ray Stevens has had a long and varied career starting with his 1961 song, ‘Jeremiah Peabody’s Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green and Purple Pills.’ The song went to #35 on the pop charts. Landing with Mercury Records in Nashville in 1962, at one of his first sessions he recorded, ‘Ahab the Arab’ which climbed to #5 on the pop charts in 1962. ‘Everything is Beautiful’ became Ray’s first #1 hit on the pop charts and won him a Grammy for Male Vocalist of the Year.
His second #1 was the comedy hit, ‘The Streak.’ His popularity has never waned over the years, and now he hosts his weekly TV show from his 700+ seat Cabaray Showroom in Nashville where he performs every Friday and Saturday evening. Details here.
Ricky Skaggs
- Thursday, June 07, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
- CMA Close Up Stage
- Sunday, June 10, 7:55 pm – 8:25 pm
- Nissan Stadium
Ricky Skaggs struck his first chords on a mandolin over 50 years ago, and this 15-time Grammy Award winner continues to do his part to lead the recent roots revival in music. With 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated classics behind him, all from his own Skaggs Family Records label, the diverse and masterful tones made by the gifted Skaggs come from a life dedicated to playing music that is both fed by the soul and felt by the heart.
Ricky has often said that he is “just trying to make a living” playing the music he loves. But it’s clear that his passion for it puts him in the position to bring his lively, distinctively American form of music out of isolation and into the ears and hearts of audiences across the country and around the world. Updated tour info here.
TG Sheppard
- Friday, June 08, 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
- CMA Close Up Stage
TG Sheppard has always had an unstoppable passion for music. This passion along with 21 number one hits and being ranked among the top 100 country artists of all time has made him one of the most popular live performers on tour today. It’s only natural with a show chock full of chart topping hits like ‘Last Cheaters Waltz.’ ‘I Loved ‘Em Everyone.’ ‘Do You Wanna Go To Heaven’ and ‘Party Time’ that TG has developed a reputation as a solid performer who delivers exactly what audiences want.
All this and more combined with a steadfast dedication to entertainment has truly made him one of the great Legends in country music. TG’s first commercial album in over 13 years ‘Legendary Friends & Country Duets’ has just been released. It is a duet CD with some of music’s biggest icons. More about the new album here.
Tracy Lawrence
- Friday, June 08, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- CMA Close Up Stage
- Saturday, June 09, 11:00 am – 12: 15 pm
- Budweiser Forever Country Stage
Tracy Lawrence is a walking Country music success story. Thirteen million albums sold, eighteen No.1 singles and twenty-two songs on the Billboard Top 10 charts, multiple CMA and ACM awards and even a Grammy nomination. Yes, the small town Arkansas-bred teenager who arrived in Nashville nearly three decades ago, with a guitar and $700 in his pocket, has done himself proud.
Tracy’s most recent album, GOOD OLE DAYS, celebrates his indelible mark on country traditionalism with an album of duets pairing a selection of his biggest hits with some of the genre’s contemporary superstars and newcomers, as well as an old friend or two who share the legend spotlight with him. Find out more here.
To see the full lineup of artists appearing at CMA Fest 2018, visit the official site here.
Note that all lineups and schedules at CMA Fest are subject to change!
Preshias Harrisis a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com