2009 CMA Music Festival (Fan Fair)

The 2009 CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14, in Downtown Nashville. Over four jam-packed days, Nashville's signature music event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more. A FULL SCHEDULE IS POSTED BELOW.
For 38 years, the event (which started as Fan Fair in 1972) has been an unparalleled celebration of America's music, drawing thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. CMA Music Festival was dubbed the "crown jewel of Country Music Festivals" by USA Today and winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association's 2004, 2006, and 2008 LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year. 
The list of performers on the main stage during the Nightly Concerts on the VAULTTM Concert Stage at LP Field includes:

• Former CMA Entertainer of the Year and four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year winner Reba McEntire, who last performed at the Festival in 2007.
• Four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year winner Martina McBride, who last performed at the Festival in 2007.
• Reigning CMA New Artist of the Year Award winner Lady Antebellum.
• Festival favorite and five-time CMA Award nominee Trace Adkins.
• Country Music entertainer and "Dancing with the Stars" sensation Julianne Hough.
• Musical firebrand and six-time CMA Award nominee Miranda Lambert.
• Former CMA Horizon Award winner Dierks Bentley, who last performed at the Festival in 2007.
• Superstars Brooks & Dunn, who have won 19 CMA Awards, including CMA Entertainer of the Year and an unprecedented 14 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Awards. Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn last performed at the Festival in 2007.
• Fan favorites and former CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Award winners Montgomery Gentry, who return again this year.
• Reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley, who has received a total of 11 CMA Awards thus far in his career. Paisley last performed at the Festival in 2007.
• Singer, songwriter, entertainer, and host of CMT's "Gone Country" television series John Rich, who last performed at the Festival in 2007 as part of Big & Rich.

2008 CMA Music Festival Four Day Ticket prices are:  Gold Circle (SOLD OUT);  Floor Level (SOLD OUT);  Lower Level (adults $155:  ages 12 and youger $109);  Club Level (adults $145:  ages 12 and younger $102);  Upper Level reserved (adults $120:  ages 12 and younger $84);  Upper Level general admission (adults $110:  ages 12 and younger $78).
A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are available. Call toll-free 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) to order. The price is $31 for cars; $63 for vans/shuttles; and $123 for RVs/motor coaches. Prices do not include handling fee. Spaces are limited, and no overnight parking is allowed. All persons planning to park at LP Field must pre-purchase the parking pass. Free shuttles (for four-day registrants) will run daily between major Festival event locations.
For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances, and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news.   McDonald's®, VAULT Citrus Soda.   Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA.

Full Event Schedule
We will be adding more to the schedule soon as the festival activitites and events are confirmed. Be the first to know by signing up for our CMA Exclusive Newsletter.

• Monday, June 8, 2009
  
  • The Stage on Broadway
    • 6:15 PM
      CMA Global Artist Party
      Presented by CMA/ sponsored by NiteTrain Coaches Kirsty Lee Akers (Australia), Colm Kirwan (Ireland), Lucie Silvas (UK), Alex J. Robinson (Canada), Peter McWhirter (Telstra Winner), Ashley Cooper (New Zealand), The McClymonts (Australia), and George Canyon (Canada).
• Tuesday, June 9, 2009
  
  • Second Fiddle
    • 3:00 PM
      AristoMedia Global Showcase
      (sponsored by CMA, NiteTrain Coaches, Digital Rodeo) Hosted by Robert Reynolds Pierre Lorry (France), Brianie (UK), Tore Anderson (Norway), Rolf Fritschi (Switzerland), Dianna Corcoran (Australia), Codie Prevost (Canada), Corey Colum Telstra Songwriter Winner, and David Bradley (UK).
• Wednesday, June 10, 2009
  
  • Sommet Center
    • 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Information Booth Open
    • 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
      Registration Open
    • 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
      CMA Music Festival Block Party
      Trent Tomlinson, LoCash Cowboys, Jason Michael Carroll, The Lost Trailers, James Otto, Emerson Drive, Eric Church, and Rodney Atkins.
  • Downtown Nashville
    • 2:00 PM
      CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade
      FREE and open to the public
  • Ryman Auditorium
    • 10:00 PM
      Marty Stuart's 8th Annual Late Night Jam
      Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives,Cherryholmes, Corb Lund, The Oak Ridge Boys, Connie Smith, Tanya Tucker and more to be announced! Tickets are $39.50 and $29.50 and available at 1-800-745-3000, Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets and Ryman Auditorium Box Office
• Thursday, June 11, 2009
  
  • Sommet Center
    • 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
      Information Booth Open
    • 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
      Registration Open
    • 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
      Sommet Center Plaza Stage
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site Jeff Cook, Love and Theft, Steve Holy, Caitlin & Will, Danielle Peck, John Conlee, Trailer Choir, Kentucky Headhunters, and Colt Ford.
  • Riverfront Park Daytime Stage
    • 9:00 AM
      Gates Open for 4-Day Ticket Holders
    • 9:45 AM
      Gates Open for Public
    • 10:00 AM - 5:45 PM
      Performances
      The Bellamy Brothers, Diamond Rio, Neal McCoy, Heidi Newfield, James Otto, Randy Rogers Band, Ashton Shepherd, Phil Vassar, and Chuck Wicks.
  • VAULT™ Concert Stage at LP Field
    • 6:30 PM
      Gates Open
    • 7:30 PM
      Nightly Concert
      Pre-show activities begin at 7:30pm, show starts at 8pm. Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Julianne Hough, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, and Rascal Flatts.
  • Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall
    • 8:30 AM
      Commerce Street Doors Open
    • 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
      Information Booth Open
    • 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Exhibit Hall Open
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Durango® Acoustic Corner
      Jimmy Kish, John Carter, TelluRide, Razzy Bailey, KC Johns, Amanda Marsh
  • Dr. Pepper® - McDonald’s® Family Zone
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site; Food sampling, fun giveaways and family activities. Cabbage Patch giveaways and Girl Scouts will have arts and crafts
    • 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
      Police Department Fingerprinting
    • 12:20 PM - 12:50 PM
      Ronald McDonald Show
    • 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
      Jon Ashton Cooking Show
    • 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
      Janet Planet
    • 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
      Storytelling
    • 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
      Grand Bob
  • Fun Zone
    • 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public
  • Sports Zone
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site
    • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
      Ultimate K9 Sports Show presented by Waggin Train
      Watch trainer John Misita and his world class K9 athletes put on a spectacular frisbee and high jump show
    • 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
      Ultimate K9 Sports Show presented by Waggin Train
      Watch trainer John Misita and his world class K9 athletes put on a spectacular dock diving show with a special appearance from an artist.
    • 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      Ultimate K9 Sports Show presented by Waggin Train
      Watch trainer John Misita and his world class K9 athletes put on a spectacular frisbee and high jump show
  • Hard Rock Cafe
    • 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
      Hard Rock Outdoor Stage
      One Flew South, Sean Patrick McGraw, Sunny Sweeney, Daryle Singletary, Katie Armiger, Josh Thompson, Jason Jones, Keni Thomas, and Heartland.
    • 11:00 PM
      CMA Songwriter Series
      Come hear Bob DiPiero, Sarah Buxton, Gary Burr, and the Warren Brothers swap their songs and stories. Tickets available through ticketalternative.com or charge by phone 877-725-8849
      This event requires a separate ticket
  • Downtown Nashville
    • 11:00 PM
      CMA Music Festival After Hours™
      Late night music and specials at Downtown clubs
  • Courthouse Park
    • 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
      Music City Zone
      Enjoy local bands, beer, food, and an AirTemp cool tent. FREE and open to the public. Grandstaff, Rick Huckaby, Lucas Hoge, Adam Gregory, and Dana Romanello.
  • Fort Nashboro
    • 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
      Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge
      (1st Ave North & Church) Artists will compete against each other and three time Total Outdoorsman Champion, Paul Thompson, in an outdoors skill competition showing off their hunting and fishing know-how.
• Friday, June 12, 2009
  
  • Sommet Center
    • 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
      Information Booth Open
    • 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
      Registration Open
    • 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
      Sommet Center Plaza Stage
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site David Nail, Lee Brice, Dean Brody, Rhonda Vincent, Kate & Kacey, Julie Roberts, and Cherryholmes.
  • Riverfront Park Daytime Stage
    • 9:00 AM
      Gates Open for 4-Day Ticket Holders
    • 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM
      Performances
      John Anderson, Eric Church, Trent Willmon, Jeff Bates, Mark Wills, Randy Houser, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jamie O'Neal, Clay Walker, Bucky Covington, and Aaron Tippin.
    • 9:45 AM
      Gates Open for Public
  • VAULT™ Concert Stage at LP Field
    • 6:30 PM
      Gates Open
    • 8:00 PM
      Nightly Concert
      Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, Zac Brown Band, and Little Big Town.
  • Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall
    • 8:30 AM
      Commerce Street Doors Open
    • 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
      Information Booth Open
    • 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Exhibit Hall Open
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Durango® Acoustic Corner
      Dan Evans, BroadBand, Don Campbell, Rachel Williams, Damon Smith, Rhonda Towns, Ben Gregg
  • Dr. Pepper® - McDonald’s® Family Zone
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site; Food sampling, fun giveaways and family activities
    • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
      Katie Chance
    • 12:20 PM - 12:50 PM
      Sean Hughes Magic Show
    • 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
      Jon Ashton Cooking Show
    • 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
      Storytelling
    • 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
      Conductor Jack and the Zinghoppers
    • 4:15 PM - 4:45 AM
      Taylor Ware
  • Fun Zone
    • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public
  • Sports Zone
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site
    • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
      Ultimate K9 Sports Show presented by Waggin Train
      Watch trainer John Misita and his world class K9 athletes put on a spectacular frisbee and high jump show
    • 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
      Ultimate K9 Sports Show presented by Waggin Train
      Watch trainer John Misita and his world class K9 athletes put on a spectacular dock diving show with a special appearance from an artist.
    • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
      Mahindra Tractors Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge
      Artists and Championship Bull Riders will compete for the best mechanical bull ride in the Sports Zone Activity Area. Stick around for a chance to meet the CBR athletes after the event!
  • Hard Rock Cafe
    • 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
      Hard Rock Outdoor Stage
      The Parks, Megan Mullins, Rio Grand, Whitney Duncan, Her and Kings County, Stephen Dale, Riders In The Sky, Veronica Ballestrini with Jason Scot, and Brady Seals.
    • 11:00 PM
      CMA Songwriter Series
      Come hear Jason Matthews, Luke Laird, James Slater, Karyn Rochelle swap songs and stories. Tickets available through ticketalternative.com or charge by phone 877-725-8849
      This event requires a separate ticket
  • Downtown Nashville
    • 11:00 PM
      CMA Music Festival After Hours™
      Late night music and specials at Downtown clubs
  • Courthouse Park
    • 12:00 PM - 6:30 PM
      Music City Zone
      Enjoy local bands, beer, food, and an AirTemp cool tent. FREE and open to the public.
  • Fort Nashboro
    • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
      Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge Regional event
      (1st Ave North & Church) 50 pre-qualified local sportsmen and sportswomen will compete to move onto to the National Championship, to be held in Springfield, Missouri.
    • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
      Outdoor Life Save-A-Stream Charity Pro-Am
      (1st Ave North & Church) Country Artists and the Primos Hunting Pro Staff come together for a friendly outdoors competition.
• Saturday, June 13, 2009
  
  • Sommet Center
    • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Information Booth Open
    • 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
      Registration Open
    • 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
      Sommet Center Plaza Stage
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site Ty Herndon, Katie Armiger, Halfway to Hazard, Cowboy Crush, Holly Williams, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Carter's Chord, Justin Moore, and Billy Dean.
  • Riverfront Park Daytime Stage
    • 9:00 AM
      Gates Open for 4-Day Ticket Holders
    • 9:45 AM
      Gates Open for Public
    • 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
      Performances
      Bill Anderson, Keith Anderson, Tracy Byrd, Jason Michael Carroll, Emerson Drive, The Lost Trailers, Jo Dee Messina, Lorrie Morgan, and Chris Young.
  • VAULT™ Concert Stage at LP Field
    • 6:30 PM
      Gates Open
    • 8:00 PM
      Nightly Concert
      Trace Adkins, Jamey Johnson, Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride, Wynonna, and Josh Turner.
  • Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall
    • 8:30 AM
      Commerce Street Doors Open
    • 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
      Information Booth Open
    • 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Exhibit Hall Open
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Durango® Acoustic Corner
      Brian Stace, The Roys, Justin David, Divas of Daytime TV, Billy Gilman, John Arthur Martinez, Will Clements
  • Dr. Pepper® - McDonald’s® Family Zone
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site; Food sampling, fun giveaways and family activities
    • 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
      YWCA Celebrity Auction
    • 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
      DIY Network's Deconstruction featuring Matt Blashaw
  • Fun Zone
    • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public
  • Sports Zone
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site
    • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
      Ultimate K9 Sports Show presented by Waggin Train
      Watch trainer John Misita and his world class K9 athletes put on a spectacular frisbee and high jump show
    • 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
      Ultimate K9 Sports Show presented by Waggin Train
      Watch trainer John Misita and his world class K9 athletes put on a spectacular dock diving show with a special appearance from an artist.
    • 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
      Ultimate K9 Sports Show presented by Waggin Train
      Watch trainer John Misita and his world class K9 athletes put on a spectacular frisbee and high jump show
  • Hard Rock Cafe
    • 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
      Hard Rock Outdoor Stage
      Sarah Johns, Julia Barton, Deborah Allen, Pistol, The Moffits, Tommy Joe Wilson, Herrick, and Michael Peterson.
    • 11:00 PM
      CMA Songwriter Series
      Come hear Bobby Pinson, Brett James, Dallas Davidson, and Leslie Satcher swap songs and stories. Tickets available through ticketalternative.com or charge by phone 877-725-8849
      This event requires a separate ticket
  • Downtown Nashville
    • 11:00 PM
      CMA Music Festival After Hours™
      Late night music and specials at Downtown clubs
  • Courthouse Park
    • 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
      Music City Zone
      Enjoy local bands, beer, food, and an AirTemp cool tent. FREE and open to the public.
• Sunday, June 14, 2009
  
  • Sommet Center
    • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
      Information Booth Open
    • 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
      Registration Open
    • 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
      Sommet Center Plaza Stage
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site Emily West, Carter Twins, Jypsi, The Grascals, Charlie Louvin, Blackberry Smoke, Bomshel, and T. Graham Brown.
  • Riverfront Park Daytime Stage
    • 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
      Performances
    • 10:00 AM
      Gates Open for 4-Day Ticket Holders
      Eli Young Band, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, Jessica Harp, Joey & Rory, Joe Nichols, Collin Raye, Restless Heart, and Darryl Worley.
    • 10:30 AM
      Gates Open for Public
  • VAULT™ Concert Stage at LP Field
    • 6:30 PM
      Gates Open
    • 8:00 PM
      Nightly Concert
      Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, John Rich, Taylor Swift, and Jack Ingram.
  • Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall
    • 8:30 AM
      Commerce Street Doors Open
    • 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
      Information Booth Open
    • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
      Exhibit Hall Open
    • 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
      Durango® Acoustic Corner
      Sage Keffer, Candice Crain, Daniel Smith, Timothy Craig, Miko Marks
  • Dr. Pepper® - McDonald’s® Family Zone
    • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site; Food sampling, fun giveaways and family activities
    • 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
      Bummkinn Band
    • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
      Adam & the Couch Potatoes
    • 12:20 PM - 12:50 PM
      Ronald McDonald Show
    • 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
      Jon Ashton Cooking Show
    • 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
      Bummkinn Band
    • 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
      Storytelling
  • Fun Zone
    • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public
  • Sports Zone
    • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
      Open
      FREE and open to the public; Information booth on-site
    • 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
      New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race
      Hosted by Michael Peterson. Join in the fun as celebrities race against the clock through an obstacle course on a New Holland Boomer compact tractor.
  • Hard Rock Cafe
    • 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
      Hard Rock Outdoor Stage
      Matt Stillwell, Williams Riley, Brittini Black, KC Johns, Block Family Band, and The Two Timers.
  • Downtown Nashville
    • 11:00 PM
      CMA Music Festival After Hours™
      Late night music and specials at Downtown clubs

Schedule subject to change. All times are Central Daylight Time

Source:  Country Music Association
 

 
CMA Music Festival on the Web
The official Internet home of 2009 CMA Music Festival can be found at www.CMAfest.com, beginning tomorrow (Friday, March 20). The site will be continually updated with artist additions, performance schedule announcements, event information and more. Visitors can also check out the photo flipbooks from past Festivals, put together a playlist of songs from past performers, download wallpapers for their desktops and banners for their websites, and more. In addition, fans can also sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news to stay updated on the latest CMA event information.
Fans can also interact with their fellow Festival lovers on social networking sites by visiting the MySpace page at www.MySpace.com/cmamusicfestival and the Facebook site at www.Facebook.com/pages/Country-Music-Association/19262061270.
CMA Music Festival Merchandise Available
Fans looking to show their support and excitement for the upcoming CMA Music Festival should check out the online store on CMAfest.com beginning tomorrow (Friday, March 20).
Currently there are two new 2009 T-shirts on sale, with additional items to be introduced in the coming weeks. The two items available now are: a ladies mulberry T-shirt with a flowery design on the front, made of 100% organic cotton, and a men's T-shirt featuring a colorful billboard theme on the front.
Since 1996, Music City Merchandise has been the Official Merchandiser of CMA Music Festival.   
 

History
Each year, since 1972, the hottest Country Music stars join their die-hard fans in Nashville for CMA MusicFest, one of the biggest festivals in all of Country Music.  Over 400 country artists and celebrities spend four days signing autographs and performing live concerts to give their fans the ultimate music experience in Music City USA! 
 
Country Music Stars Perform at CMA MusicFest
The CMA Music Festival, originally known as Fan Fair, provides hours and hours of live entertainment.  County Music lovers can attend intimate daily performances on the riverfront, as well as exciting night time concerts by the top stars at LP Field. 
 
Fan Fair Quick Facts
Over 25 years old, the CMA MusicFest has a very interesting history.  Here are some fascinating tidbits:

• Fan Fair was created by the County Music Association and the Grand Ole Opry in 1972, as an alternative showcase for Country Music fans who had been attending the CMA’s annual DJ convention to get close to their favorite artists.
• 5,000 Country Music lovers attended the first Fan Fair; attendance doubled the following year.
• Fan Fair was held in Music City’s Municipal Auditorium, then at the Tennessee Fairgrounds until 2001, when it moved to downtown Nashville, became the CMA MusicFest three years later.
• Shania Twain met her future husband, Mutt Lange, at Fan Fair in 1993.
• Garth Brooks signed autographs for over 23 hours without a break during Fan Fair’s 25th anniversary.
• Fan Fair was the setting for the season finale of King of the Hill in 2000, in which character Peggy Hill gives Country Music artist Randy Travis some grief at an autograph session. 

Check out details from the most recent CMA MusicFest, held in Nashville in June of 2008.
 

Past CMA MusicFest Performers
 

Artists appearing at MusicFest (alphabetical order by first name):