CMA Music Festival - It's All About The Fans
Chino Rossi

Three letters that sum up the CMA Festival:
H-O-T!! Not only in the amazing performances, but also the summer heat. Bringing together the hottest Country talents with their most loyal fans is definitely a winning combination. The CMA Music Festival is a 4 day festival in the heart of Nashville, TN that is packed with non-stop live entertainment. This year, it brought a record high daily attendance of 52,000 with a 9.4 percent increase. The only dilemma is choosing who to see.

We rounded up our crew to see Luke Bryan, Jason Michael Carroll, Chuck Wicks, Crystal Shawanda and Keith Anderson at the ‘Greased Lightning Riverfront’ Daytime Stage. Mr. Luke Bryan always turns it up an extra notch with his flawless performances that rock the crowd. Chuck Wicks performed his Top 5 Country ballad “Stealing Cinderella” and his current single “All I Ever Wanted.”

We then headed to the Ryman Auditorium to catch a glimpse of Gretchen Wilson, Randy Travis and Taylor Swift. Gretchen Wilson spoke about her new book and getting her GED.

As the evening progressed, we went to check out Little Big Town at a fantastic venue called A-Venue. It was their annual fan club party and it was very much an intimate setting with their fans from across America. LBT knew a lot of the fans by a first name basis which made it that much more special for everyone.

When the gig ended, we went on to Music Row to an Irish Pub to meet Jane Crossman and Joanne Owen - both from 95.5FM The Wolf and Sam Tate, who co-wrote Emerson Drive’s #1 hit single “Moments” and Rodney Atkins’ “If You’re Going Through Hell.” Tate certainly is a very down to earth guy and had plenty to say. Recently, a new song of Tate’s about a personal experience while fishing managed to get into the hands of the President. The demo and Youtube video was originally sung by Jamey Johnson, although we hear Rodney Atkins is going release his version on his next Album. The White House invited Tate and Atkins to meet and play it for the President.

Every day the Festival’s convention center was full of fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite artists. We loved the convention center honestly for its air conditioning. Of course the No.1 task for any fan at this Festival is to get something signed and to make sure you get a picture with as many artists as possible. As this Festival was originally named Fan Fair, it kind of then makes a little more sense.

Phil Vassar was THE highlight from our experience. He graciously concluded his celebration of the CMA Music Festival with a Songwriter Session at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Fans and museum goers alike enjoyed a candid performance and heard not only some of his hits, but the personal stories of how many of these songs came to be.

The nightly concerts at LP Field was jammed full of great spectacles and surprises. Not only was the production value great, but it offered a chance for fans to walk right in front of the stage so they could get up close pictures of their favorite stars.  All in all, the CMA Music Festival is an annual, jam-packed fest that gives Country music fans across the world an opportunity to get up close and personal with all their favorite stars.  Rightly deserved, it is dedicated to the most loyal fans in the world: Country music fans.

Chino Rossi