CMA Fest 2019 brings Country artists up close and personal with fans
Day One review
By Preshias Harris for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
When the 2019 CMA Fest got under way on
Thursday, June 06, country music fans were fired up and ready for almost 100
performances on eleven stages across downtown Nashville.
The 48th annual CMA Fest began
as Fan Fair in 1972, initially at the Municipal Auditorium before moving to the
Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982. Fan
Fair became the extravaganza we know it today when it was officially renamed
the CMA Music Festival in 2004 and by then it was expanding to more venues
including Bridgestone Arena, Riverfront Park and what is now Nissan
Stadium. The name was later shortened to
CMA Fest, attracting fans from 40+ countries every year.
On Day One of the festival, fans were
treated to performances from many of their favorite artists with music from
morning to night. Trisha Yearwood opened the CMA Close Up Stage for Thursday’s
special Artist of the Day session at Xfinity Fan Fair X (an event named to
honor the festival’s original title) with songwriters featured on her
forthcoming album including Ashley McBryde, Karyn Rochelle and Lucie
Silvas. The venue also featured ‘meet
and greets’ and prize giveaways.
Randy Houser and Chase Rice headlining the
Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music
Group. Also on stage were Warner
Brothers artist Michael Ray and BBR Music Group’s Jimmie Allen and super
guitarist and talent Lindsey Ell.
Miranda Lambert is well-known as a fervent
animal lover and she kicked off her MuttNation’s Mutt March with Dan Smyers of
Dan + Shay. Hundreds of dog lovers and
adoptable pups paraded from Nissan Stadium across the John Seigenthaler
Pedestrian Bridge and into Walk of Fame Park. Now in its third year, MuttNation
is entertained CMA Fest attendees with adoptable dogs inside Music City Center.
The nightly shows at Nissan DID not
disappoint! Florida Georgia Line closed out the nightly concert at the Stadium,
where their label Big Machine Record Group presented the duo with a Platinum
plaque for their song “Talk You Out Of It.” All night long fans were surprised
with special collaborations from Brooks & Dunn, McBryde and Brothers
Osborne performing “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” Brooks & Dunn with
Brothers Osborne performing “Hard Workin’ Man,” The Chainsmokers with Kelsea
Ballerini performing their pop hit “This Feeling” and Brandi Carlile joining
Tanya Tucker to perform multiple songs during her set. Midland also made a
special performance from the satellite stage performing “Mr. Lonely.”
A great start to the 48th annual
CMA Fest!
CMA Fest is the longest-running Country
Music festival in the world with a portion of ticket proceeds directly
benefiting high-quality music education initiatives across the United States
through the CMA Foundation, thanks to all the artists performing at CMA Fest donating
their time.
Photos and credits
Kelsea Ballerini and Thomas Rhett host
“CMA Fest” with special guest host Bobby Bones, airing Sunday, August 4 at 8/7c
on the ABC Television Network.
Jimmie Allen performs
at CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engleby
Michael Ray on stage during Day One of
CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engleby