The Country Music Association presents:

CMA MusicFest 2008

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. 

Scheduled Artists for CMA MusicFest 2008
Greased Lightning Daytime Stages

Scheduled Artists for CMA MusicFest 2008
Hard Rock Outdoor Stage

Over the years, many hit recording artists, as well as the up-and-coming acts, perform at CMA MusicFest, including big names like Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, the Dixie Chicks, Brad Paisley, and so many more.  Even non-country artists have appeared at the Nashville festival, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Los Lonely Boys, and Paul McCartney.

CMA MusicFest Events & Activities

Music fans of all ages can participate in a variety of activities.  Free shuttle service is available between the various venue sites.

• CMA Music Festival kicks off with a parade and block party during the Wednesday Experience!
  
  
• Extensive Autograph Sessions  -  Country Music artists spend several hours each of the four days visiting with their loyal fans, signing autographs, and posing for photos.  This “Meet-And-Greet” is one of the most popular festival attractions!
  
  
• Chevy Music Stage  -  offers interactive music displays in the Sommet Center Plaza.
  
  
• The Fun Zone  -  features country music exhibits and giveaways.

• Bobby Labonte autograph signing on Thursday hosted by Super 8 Motel
• USO, Borders and CMA will team to collect CDs, books and DVDs to send to troops.

• Chevy Sports Zone  -  Fans can watch their favorite celebrities compete in unusual sporting events.
  
  
  
  • The Outdoor Channel's DockDogs® will have a competition in its 25,000 gallon mobile pool from Thursday, June 5, to Sunday, June 8.
  • A special celebrity edition of the Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge will be held Thursday, June 5
  • Steve Azar hosts "The Celebrity Sports Challenge presented by Glacèau Vitaminwater®" on Friday, June 6. Following the Sports Challenge Outdoor Life Magazine will host a game-calling contest.
  • The Fiesta Celebrity Grilling Challenge featuring Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis will begin Saturday, June 7, at 2 p.m.
  • Singers and champion bull riders will team up in the CBR/RFD-TV Celebrity Bull-Riding Challenge Saturday, June 7.
  • The CMA Music Festival BBQ Championship begins with all-day cooking Saturday, June 7. Judging will be the following afternoon.
  • "The Third Annual New Holland/Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race" starts Sunday, June 8, at 11:30 a.m.

• See which young performer sings best to become the next Music City Rising Star.
  
  
• McDonald’s®-Dr Pepper® Family Zone  -  bring the kids for arts and crafts, interactive inflatables, face painting, games, and more.

• Ronald McDonald interactive magic show once daily Thursday, Friday and Sunday
• Borders celebrity storytelling each day with free books for the first 50 children
• YWCA Celebrity Auction Saturday, June 7; Emceed by Steve Virginia with appearances by Lady Antebellum, Tennessee Titan Cortland Finnegan and many others.
• Family Zone picnic on Sunday

• Nightly fireworks displays and after-hours entertainment add even more fun to the four-day agenda.

• Gretchen Wilson, Randy Travis, and Taylor Swift will be spotlighted during the CMA Celebrity Close Up presented by GAC, Thursday, June 5, at the Ryman Auditorium.

Pre MusicFest Performances

Need an appetizer to get you ready for the 4 glorious days of CMA MusicFest?  Well, the CMA provides plently of performances to choose from:

• Road To The CMA Music Festival Presented By Tetley® Iced Tea  -  Ten cities welcome Darryl Worley and Jennifer Hanson in April and May to get the local fans ready for the Nashville extravaganza.  Check our news report about the concert tour for the CMA Preview Tour Schedule.
  
  
  
• 5th Annual CMA Global Artist Party  -  Country Music artists from Austrailia, Canada, Belgium, Ireland, and The Netherlands will perform in Downtown Nashville on June 2.


• Marty Stuart's 7th Annual Late Night Jam - Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Charlie Daniel Band, and Gretchen Wilson are among the acts scheduled to perform on June 4 to benefit MusiCares. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

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 25^th 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.