Pack Your Bags and Head to Music City
Each Summer, over 100,000 fans meet in Nashville, Tennessee to meet and be entertained by some of today's biggest country music artists at the CMA Music Festival, formerly known as Fan Fair. The humidity can exceed the temperature during these four days in Tennessee, but if you ask any fan that's attended the musical festival, they'll agree it's worth every drop of sweat, and every aching muscle from all the walking.
Last year was my first trip to Nashville, and this year I'll be returning once more. I can't wait, but I did want to share some information on some of the things you can expect while you are there.
Book that Hotel Now
First of all, if you are thinking of attending, and haven't made any plans yet, the first thing you need to do is to check prices for hotels. A good many of the rooms available are probably snagged, especially downtown, but there are rooms available.
After you price some rooms and get an idea of what you are looking at for lodging, head over to buy your CMA Music Festival Tickets. This four-day pass will get you into all the daytime shows on the banks of the Cumberland River, as well as the nightly shows at the Adelphia Coliseum, and the daytime autograph signings at the Nashville Convention Center. There is also the Family Zone, with celebrity storytelling, arts and crafts, face painting, hands-on exhibits, and you can even meet Jay Bush and his dog Duke. That's still not all, as there is also the Sports Zone where you can attend Andy Griggs' Fourth Annual Celebrity Archery Tournament and the Bassmaster Anglers and Artists Tournament. Then, from Thursday - Sunday, you can continue late into the night starting at 11:00 pm at various events in the nightclubs downtown.
Attend Some Fan Club Parties
If you arrive early enough, you could attend your favorite artist's Fan Club Party. Members of Fan Clubs should check online at their favorite artist's website to see if plans have been announced. Each club is responsible for its own party, so if you haven't visited your favorite artist's website in a while, now is a good time to do so. I've found several party announcements on the Message Boards of the artist's sites. So, that is a good place to check.
Just from my experience last year, I felt that you had a much better chance to meet your favorite artists at their Fan Club Parties, rather than try to get a ticket to stand in line to meet them at their autograph signing at the Convention Center. But, that's just me. I don't like being herded like cattle and stampeding into the Convention Center when the doors open. Others don't mind this, and the Convention Center is heaven for them.
Pre-CMA Music Festival Shows
Along with Fan Club Parties, there are a few shows that you can attend prior to the start of CMA Music Festival on Thursday morning, June 9th.
On Monday night, June 6th, at 7:00 pm, Lorrie Morgan, Sammy Kershaw and Jamie O'Neal will have a benefit concert at the Wildhorse Saloon. The show is a benefit for Lymphatic Research Foundation, and also stars Roxie Dean, Ron Williams and special guest stars from the Grand Ole Opry including Leona Williams and Jeannie Seely.
On Tuesday night, June 7th, at 7:30 pm, catch the IFCO Fun Fest will be held at the Ryman Auditorium. Headlining this year is Craig Morgan, along with Jimmy Wayne, Aaron Lines, Trick Pony, Mark Wills, with a special presentation of the IFCO Tex Ritter Award to Bill Anderson. Other artists will be announced later on.
Also on Tuesday night at the Wildhorse Saloon is Chely and Friends. This is Chely Wright's show, and always includes several other stars.
On Wednesday night, June 8th, at the Wildhorse Saloon at 7:00 pm, is Tracy Byrd & Andy Griggs Concert. This event takes place after Tracy's and Andy's Fan Club Party at the Wildhorse Saloon earlier in the evening.
Later on Wednesday night, Marty Stuart takes over the Ryman for the Marty Stuart Late Night Jam. The party starts at 11:00 pm. The lineup hasn't been announced yet.
Convention Center Tactics
Each morning of the CMA Music Festival, fans line up around the block to be one of the first to enter the Wrangler Exhibit Hall and hopefully meet their favorite artists, and get an autograph. The Exhibit Hall opens each morning at 10:00 am, however fans start lining up as early as 6:00 am or so. When the doors finally open, everyone rushes to the booths to get a ticket to stand in line for an autograph. Artist's schedules for signing are posted by their booths.
You can find out the layout of the Exhibit Hall by viewing your CMA Music Festival Program, which comes in your package when you pick up your tickets at registration. If you scope out which booths you want to visit, you can know which direction to turn once you enter the Exhibit Hall.