This year was my second year at the CMA Music Festival, but my first year to attend one of the CMA Close Up shows. I actually attended both of the shows this year, and now I know that I will make sure and buy tickets every year. These are priceless.
I love listening to my favorite artists sing, but there's something special about watching your favorite artists being interviewed. You really feel a lot closer to them.
The CMA Celebrity Close Up shows are on Thursday and Friday afternoon's, and when you're planning what you want to do at the CMA Music Festival, it's hard to want to buy tickets for a show when you don't know who will be appearing. This is the case for all the shows, such as the IFCO Fun Fest, Superstar Spectacular, Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam, etc. If you wait until they announce the artists, you'll end up with balcony seats, like I did.
Probably the best thing about the CMA Celebrity Close Up shows, other than getting to know the stars a little better, is that the price can't be beat. At $10.00 a seat, you can't get better entertainment at that price. If you wait until the day of the show, they are $15.00. Even that is a great deal.
The Ryman is one of my favorite venues. It's not huge, so just about anywhere you sit, you'll be able to see well. In the case of the CMA Celebrity Close Up, I was in the balcony, fifth row.
You are allowed to take all the photos you like at the show, but no audio or video is allowed, which is the case for just about any show you will attend at the CMA Music Festival.
Kix Brooks was first out, and Lorianne welcomed him warmly. Since there is a friendly rivalry between Brooks & Dunn and Montgomery Gentry, she let Kix do the honor of introducing Eddie.
Kix said things like, "This here is a guy that is part of a duo, and they have some pretty good songs..." and Lorianne interrupted him, saying, "No, you're supposed to use words like 'hot' and 'superstar' when you introduce him." So, Kix said "This guy is in a duo, and they have some pretty good songs, and when he performs on stage, he gets all 'hot' and sweaty, and they know some 'superstars.'" He was too funny.
Eddie made his way out to the stage and the two guys sat on the couch while the stage crew got Lorianne wired up for the taping. They were taping the show for an airing on GAC in the future.
Lorianne said she knew a secret, and she let it out that Brooks & Dunn would be the hosts of the upcoming CMA Awards in New York this year. Kix replied, "Yeah, they knew we needed the work."
The questions that were asked were from the fans, and one fan asked Kix, "Do you ever get tired of Ronnie Dunn?" and Kix replied, "Yes, daily." Then he explained that they have separate buses and actually do different things during the day. He said he plays golf all day, and Ronnie spends all day doing his hair.
Eddie was asked "Have you ever lost control of the microphone stand, and has anyone ever gotten hurt?" Eddie replied, "Yes. In maybe 3 or 4 shows. No one's been hurt, though. He has hit the guitarist once or twice, and hit Troy once.
When Kix was asked if it bothered him to have people always taking his picture all the time, he replied, "They don't always want to take my picture." Then, kidding aside replied, "No, that is why we play music... that and to pick up chicks."
There were a lot more questions asked, but I didn't write everything down.
Kix and Eddie then left the stage and Sugarland was introduced.
Sugarland is comprised of Kristen Hall, Christian Bush and Jennifer Nettles. We were told that two days ago, Christian's wife gave birth to their own "Baby Girl."
When asked about their heroes, Jennifer talked about when she was growing up, she used to listen to the band "Poison" all the time, and at the recent KZLA party, she was able to sing with Bret Michaels on stage. She said she acted like a lovestruck teenager with him.
Christen told the story of when they were at the recent ACMs, they were doing a performance, and they were setting up for the performance and the stage manager was counting down to when they'd be live, and he's going 5-4-3-2-1, and she was wearing a camisole under a jacket and the strap broke and she had a Janet Jackson moment. She quickly put the guitar strap over it and prayed that it would hold, and it did.
Another revelation was that Jennifer Nettles is a huge dessert freak. You'd never know it to look at her though.
This was a truly enjoyable night, and I'm definitely going again next year, no matter who they end up having. It's a great deal of fun to get to know the stars this way.