Day One of CMA Fest in review
When the 2019 CMA Fest got under way on Thursday, June 06, country music fans were fired up and ready for almost 100 performances on eleven stages across downtown Nashville.
Now in its 48th year, the annual CMA Fest began as Fan Fair in 1972, initially staged at the Municipal Auditorium. the festival moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982. Fan Fair became the extravaganza we know it today when it was officially renamed the CMA Music Festival in 2004 and by then it was expanding to more venues including Bridgestone Arena, Riverfront Park and what is now Nissan Stadium. The name was later shortened to CMA Fest, attracting fans from 40+ countries every year.
Trisha Yearwood show featured songwriters
On Day One of the festival, fans were treated to performances from many of their favorite artists with music from morning to night. Trisha Yearwood opened the CMA Close Up Stage for Thursday’s special Artist of the Day session at Xfinity Fan Fair X (an event named to honor the festival’s original title) with songwriters featured on her forthcoming album including Ashley McBryde, Karyn Rochelle and Lucie Silvas. The venue also featured ‘meet and greets’ and prize giveaways.
Randy Houser and Chase Rice headlined the Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group. Also on stage were Warner Brothers artist Michael Ray and BBR Music Group’s Jimmie Allen and super guitarist and talent Lindsey Ell.
Miranda’s MuttNation finds homes for 61 dogs
Miranda Lambert is well-known as a fervent animal lover and she kicked off her MuttNation’s Mutt March with Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay. Hundreds of dog lovers and adoptable pups paraded from Nissan Stadium across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and into Walk of Fame Park. Now in its third year, MuttNation is entertained CMA Fest attendees with adoptable dogs inside Music City Center.
The nightly shows at Nissan DID not disappoint! Florida Georgia Line closed out the nightly concert at the Stadium, where their label Big Machine Record Group presented the duo with a Platinum plaque for their song “Talk You Out Of It.”
All night long, fans were surprised with special collaborations. Brooks & Dunn, Ashley McBryde and Brothers Osborne performed “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” and Brooks & Dunn with Brothers Osborne performed “Hard Workin’ Man.” The Chainsmokers joined Kelsea Ballerini on their pop hit “This Feeling” and Brandi Carlile joining Tanya Tucker to perform multiple songs during her set. Midland also made a special performance from the satellite stage performing “Mr. Lonely.”
A great start to the 48th annual CMA Fest!
CMA Fest is the longest-running Country Music festival in the world with a portion of ticket proceeds directly benefiting high-quality music education initiatives across the United States through the CMA Foundation, thanks to all the artists performing at CMA Fest donating their time.
Preshias Harris is 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