CMA Music Festival 2010

The 37th annual CMA Music Festivall is fast approaching. Scheduled for June 10-13, 2010 Nashville is gearing up for one of the biggest events of the year. Often called the ultimate love-fest between the hottest superstars in country music and their adoring fans, the CMA Music Festival features 4 days of schmoozing with the greats in country music and four nights of listening to them strut their stuff on stage. Already the 2010 line-up is impressive.

There are twenty-one acts scheduled so far this year at the CMA Music Festival ranging from old timers that have been around the scene for a while and new comers that are starting to make it big. The line-up for this year includes Alan Jackson, Reba MacIntire, Tim McGraw, Justin Moore, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, The Zac Brown Band, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Billy Currington, Randy Houser, Danny Gokey, Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin, and Jason Aldean.http://www.cmafest.com/artists/music-fest-lineup-lp.aspx

This year, as in the past, there are different levels of tickets. You may by a four day pass to get the whole CMA Music Festival experience for $110. You may also purchase single night tickets to watch the stars on stage for $30. The tickets begin selling in April and you may sign up for e-mail exclusives by joining the CMA MOB. Funds raised by the CMA Music Festival go to support the charity Keep the Music Playing. Monies are used to build music labs in schools and purchase instruments. To date $3.3 million has been donated with 2009 being the biggest contribution at $1,066,632.http://www.cmafest.com/info/keep-the-music-playing.aspx

The Festival, once known as the CMA Fan Fair, was first held in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium April 12 - 15, 1972. Since its inception it has been a raging success, each year being attended by more and more fans, and each year seeing an impressive number of stars that give of their time and their talent for their fans. The first year saw 5,000 fans and 20 hours of concerts and as soon as it ended people where clamoring for more and inquiring about the dates for the next year.http://www.hotngold.co.uk/otr/nashvillecmahistory.html As a result the Festival was moved to June to take advantage of a peak travel time for Americans, and the number of fans attending doubled to 10,000.http://www.hotngold.co.uk/otr/nashvillecmahistory.html

In 1982 the festival had to move to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds to accommodate the crowds and in 1991 the 20th anniversary show featured 65 country artists and 34 hours of live shows.http://www.hotngold.co.uk/otr/nashvillecmahistory.html

In 1994 this figure nearly doubled as almost 100 artists performed for their fans. 1996 was the sold out 25th anniversary for the CMA Music Festival, with 24,000 fans cheering on more than 100 of their favorite artists. Garth Brooks made a surprise appearance and signed autographs for 23 straight hours.http://www.hotngold.co.uk/otr/nashvillecmahistory.html The year

2000 was the last year that the Fair was held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and big changes came with the 2001 festival as it was held in downtown Nashville and performances were at The Coliseum. Artists signed autographs in the Nashville Convention Center by day.

2009 set a record in attendance with an average daily attendance of 56,000, up 7.2% from 2008. Already 2010 pre-ticket sales are up 4.2%.http://jos.thatscountry.com/index.php/events/cma-music-festival/2949-2009-cma-music-festival-attendance-up-72-percent

In the past people have camped out on the street to be the first in line for the Fan Fair in Exhibit Hall. This is where people are able to get autographs, shake hands, and get pictures with their favorite celebrities of the country music world. There are interactive displays, life style exhibits, and the Acoustic Corner. There are concerts during the day at the Riverfront Park and nightly concert at the LP Field. There is a parade, a block party, and themed outdoor exhibits.