It’s a good summer for country music. The 40th anniversary of Fan Fair, now known as the CMA Music Festival, kicked off the summer right with four days of live music, autograph signing, and crowds of fans and celebrities alike. This summer’s celebration broke records across the board, from 65,000 average daily attendance to $30 million in direct visitor spending for the city. Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau said, "This year's event produced record crowds, record ticket sales, record hotel room night sales and record growth. It was a huge win for the city and a great way to celebrate the event's 40th anniversary."
Visitor spending at the festival has nearly doubled since the event was moved downtown ten years ago, which not only benefits the business, but children as well. The festival donates a portion of their proceeds each year to “Keep the Music Playing,” a program that supports children and promotes music education in the Nashville schools. But no matter the numbers, it is support from the fans that truly makes the festival great. The CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore stated, "Obviously, we couldn't be more pleased with the record-setting turnout for this year's Festival. The numbers speak volumes about the importance of the event, the interest from fans, dedication of the artists and the collaboration by all involved. I want to express my thanks to everyone for a spectacular event."
And this August, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Scotty McCreery, Taylor Swift, and all your favorites will be back. Not in Nashville, but right in your own home when ABC presents the special “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” on Sunday, Aug. 7 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET). If you couldn’t make it to Nashville in June, this is your chance to participate in the festival with three hours of the event’s biggest names and brightest moments. This is ABC’s seventh time broadcasting the special, which invites everyone to country music’s biggest party.
