Mick Green tells you about

2008 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

THIS is the busiest time of the year to be in Nashville and every hotel room is sold out and different events are going on from breakfast until bed time—which, if you are lucky will be a couple of hours before breakfast!

Obviously the major events are the shows by the superstars each evening from Thursday to Sunday inclusive at the concerts in the huge sports arena which start at 4 pm—altogether 36 acts appeared there in 2008 and some of them were Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Jack Ingram, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Craig Morgan, Kenny Rogers, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, Randy Travis, and Dwight Yoakam.

But there are also shows on the banks of the Cumberland River in the day time.The dual stages bustled throughout the four days with a rich array of performers from both major and independent record labels. In all, 106 acts performed more than 34 hours of concerts—at time I’m told there were people queuing before dawn for the best positions on the grass.

Luckily in America they do not have queues, instead they “stand in line” and you can stand in line for long periods of time. We know one English lady pensioner who waited in excess of four hours to shake Alan Jackson’s (Russ Harrington photograph above) hand—now that is dedication.

The booths of the stars are a major attraction at this event which is still referred to as Fan Fair by the older people. So you have to make a choice whether to see the shows down by the river or stand in line to meet your favourite artist—some were queuing from 5 am! Above is Jim Hagans picture of Taylor Swift and a fan at her booth.

But the whole event is about excitement and wondering what will happen next and, of course, there is always a risk of being in the right place at the wrong time! From the opening Annual CMA Music Festival Block party, through to the after hours parties and shows. Plus there are almost as many people attending fan club meetings and various fringe events that go on every day.

Not all the artists who appeared were advertised and Rascal Flatts turned up one night and Keith Urban (John Russell photograph above) another.

The official figures show that an average 52,000 attended each day, up from 48,000 last year, and already the best tickets for the evening concerts next year have sold out.

We are often asked why we don’t organise tours to this event any more and the answer is simply that you do not need a tour guide because with so much going on each person has to make their own choice. We do arrange trips just for Fan Fair (including tickets) and for those who want to attend before our tour comes in afterwards. Give me a call on 01502 732040 if you wish to know more.