This year the CMA Music Festival, formerly known as Fan Fair, drew a record number of fans for the various activities. Single day tickets were available this year, and because of that I was able to attend one of the days and have a great time. Even though Saturday was a rainy day, it did not stop our fun. After a full day with Music Fest activities, I was ready for a great show at the coliseum and I was not disappointed.
Saturday night's lineup included Miranda Lambert, Joe Nichols, Jo Dee Messina, Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Rogers and Wynonna. It started out drizzling rain but started pouring by the time Joe was done with his set. The show started at 8:00 pm and was still going at 11:00 pm when the rain finally chased us out before Wynonna was done with her set. But even soaking wet, we were not sorry we had stayed for the majority of the show.
Miranda kicked things off wearing a pink top and jeans. She is very audience-oriented and bantered a little with us while she went through her four-song set. She sang, "Me and Charlie Talking," "Somewhere I've Never Been(?)," her current single, "Bring Me Down" and "Kerosene." She walked offstage leaving the audience screaming for more. Next up was Joe Nichols. This terrific performer has progressed from newcomer to settled in and he knows how to please his audience. He hit the stage in a tight black t-shirt and jeans. His five song set included: "Broken Heartsville," "The Impossible," a brand new single coming up called "Tequila Makes Your Clothes Fall Off," a Charlie Daniels song "Leave This Long-Haired Country Boy Alone," and ended with his current smash hit "What's A Guy Gotta Do." His new single was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to that getting airplay.
Jo Dee Messina is back and better than ever. She looked awesome in a teal tank top with black trim and brown leather patch pants, and she sounds incredible. She has been working out and it shows. She also has a terrific stage presence and a great rapport with her audience. She involves them in her show, and keeps the interest alive. I'd love to see a full show with her. Her five-song set started out very appropriately with a song called "Let Me Entertain You." She followed it with an old favorite, "Guess I'm Doin' Alright" and then her upcoming single "Delicious Surprise." She did a bit of audience involvement with "Baby Bye Bye" and closed with her chartbuster "My Give A Damn's Busted." She was a hard act to follow, but Trace Adkins was up to the challenge. He is an imposing figure with his height, and he hit the stage wearing a white t-shirt, pale blue jeans and a white cowboy hat that kept finding its way to the audience forcing him to keep replacing it. The crowd absolutely loved it. He started out with "Rough and Ready" to warm up the audience. Then continued with "Songs About Me," his poignant new single "Arlington," "Hot Mama" and finished his set with "Chrome."
