CMA Music Fest - Parade & Street Party - June 10

While technically the festival doesn't start until Thursday, it's common knowledge around Nashville that the fun really started last weekend! For those of you that aren't familiar with the CMA Music Festival - or Fan Fair as it used to be known and still remains the name of choice for many - it's 4 days of concerts - all day and all night. - with most of the big names in country music appearing. What makes this different is that the shows are really for the fans. The performers don't get paid to perform. They re-route their tours and make their way here to show their appreciation for the fans! Many also have designated times to sign autographs and most have some kind of fan club party, too. And most everything is very reasonably priced. The 4-day ticket was $135 - not bad for 40+ hours of music! And the fan club events are all around $25-35, usually including a drink and food. I think the performers' accessability to their fan base is the single characteristic that sets country music apart from all other genres. Now on to the fun... Wednesday was kick-off day for the festival - most downtown streets are blocked off and there was a parade down broadway. The 90% chance of rain couldn't deter the anxious fans and it was well-attended. Here's my The Lost Trailers...


Then after the parade, there's a big outdoor stage set up outside the Sommet Center all these great acts performed all afternoon:

Trent Tomlinson,

LoCash Cowboys,

Jason Michael Carroll,

The Lost Trailers,

James Otto,

Emerson Drive,

Eric Church,

Rodney Atkins

ok - i actually only heard most acts becuase we were sitting across the street at a rooftop bar and there were people all over the place. I waited until The Lost Trailers came on to get close enough to the stage to take pictures...

But everyone else sounded great!! Keep in mind, too, that all these events this afternoon were FREE in downtown Nashville. They are also opening up all the afternoon concerts to the public for FREE this year - a nice gesture when most people have less to spend on this kind of entertainment. Ticketholders do get to go in an hour earlier to get their spots...