An Overview of the 2009 CMA Music Festival

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. Read my overview on what CMA Music Festival is all about, and what events are planned during the festival week.

A Little CMA Music Festival (AKA Fan Fair) Background

The CMA Music Festival first started as a way to relieve some of the congestion during the annual country music DJ convention in Nashville. Since there were so many artists in attendance, fans converged in Nashville, hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite stars. The CMA and the Grand Ole Opry concluded that if a festival were created for the fans, it would be successful, and so the CMA Music Festival was born, originally called Fan Fair.

The first Fan Fair was held in April of 1972 at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium. Included were many of country's most noted artists performing over 20 hours of live music. There were over 100 booths where fans could take photos and get autographs of their favorite stars. Approximately 5,000 fans attended that year. The Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang of Odessa, Texas, served up their "Texas Menu" of barbecue, beans, slaw, onions, pickles, bread and beverages.

Starting in 2004, the CMA decided on a name change, and Fan Fair was renamed the "CMA Music Festival.

What Is There To See And Do?

The CMA Music Festival always has music playing somewhere, from morning to after midnight at the bars and clubs of Lower Broadway. Included in your four-day ticket is an assigned seat to LP Field shows each night, where stars like Reba McEntire, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and many others are scheduled to appear.

There has been a change in the Riverfront Park shows during the day. They used to be only for CMA Music Festival ticket holders, but this year, anyone can attend the shows. Four-day ticket holders do have access to the area each day an hour before the first show, while non-ticket holders aren't allowed in until 15 minutes before opening.

One of the highlights for many fans is getting to meet their favorite artists, and getting a picture and autograph. This is a daily event that happens in the Convention Center. Fans line up for hours before the doors open each day to be one of the lucky people to obtain a ticket to meet their favorite stars. Later, at a time displayed on the artist's booth, those lucky fans go back and line up for their meet & greet. There are also performances from many stars, mostly newer artists, throughout the day at the Acoustic Corner. A four-day pass is required to access the Convention Center.

Other Events You Won't Want To Miss

While many of the events require you to have a four-day CMA Music Festival ticket, there are many other events that have separate tickets to access, and even some that are totally free.

Free events:

• The CMA Global Artist Party, which features artists from around the globe. This takes place on Monday at The Stage.
• Aristomedia also features a Global showcase on Tuesday at the Second Fiddle.
• Stake out a good spot on Broadway to watch the CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade on Wednesday afternoon. The parade is followed by the CMA Music Festival Block Party, with performances from several artists.
• If you have children, they may want to participate in some of the events in the Family Zone (also free), where there is storytelling, food sampling, a cooking show, a magic show and much more. The Family Zone is open Thursday - Sunday.
• The Sports Zone has events daily from Thursday - Sunday, including a K9 Sports show with dogs putting on a spectacular frisbee and high jump show, a Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge, and a Celebrity Tractor Race.
• The YWCA Celebrity Auction will be held on Saturday in the Family Zone.

Other events that require a separate ticket include the Country Weekly Fashion Show at the Wildhorse on Wednesday at noon. The City of Hope Softball Challenge will be held Wednesday evening. Catch shows at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights at the Opry House, or the Ryman Auditorium matinee on Saturday afternoon. Marty Stuart celebrates with his annual "Late Night Jam," held at the Ryman on Wednesday night. Little Big Town holds their third annual "Ride for the Cure," which is a motorcycle ride, BBQ lunch and concert from the band and friends afterwards. GAC holds the "GAC Kick-Off Breakfast" at 7:00 am at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The event is hosted by Mark Wills, and features a breakfast, live performances from Mark and friends, autographs, and admission to the Hall of Fame museum.

Fan Club Parties

Many artists celebrate with their fans during CMA Music Festival week. Fan club members have the option to purchase tickets to the parties, which usually include a performance, meet & greet with the artist, and many have a meal or snacks as part of the ticket price.

Are you attending CMA Music Festival? Write your own review.

Add Reviews of Any of the 2009 CMA Music Festival Events If you are planning on attending the CMA Music Festival this year, and want to share your experiences, feel free to use the "Write a Review" form to tell us all about it. You can attach one picture to go with your review.