CMA Announces MusicFest Daytime Lineup

3/13/2008 Meaghan Mitchell As summer quickly approaches, time draws near to one of country music's biggest summer gatherings -- CMA MusicFest. The 2008 Country Music Festival (once known as Fan Fair) is scheduled for June 5-8 in Downtown Nashville, and excitement builds as the artists for the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages at Riverfront have been announced. "The CMA Music Festival artist performer lineup truly reflects the diversity and strength of our music," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer.  "We have today's hitmakers, legends, and rising stars from the worlds of contemporary and traditional Country Music. If you want to experience the best of the format, you'll find it everywhere you turn during CMA Music Festival." The attendance at the 2007 Festival topped 191,000 with attendees from every state and 21 foreign lands.  The 2008 CMA Music Festival has been named "Best Bet for Times to Visit Nashville" by 10Best.com (Trusted Advice for Travelers). These artists will perform on the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages for the 2008 Festival: Thursday, June 5 Keith Anderson, Bellamy Brothers, Luke Bryan, Tracy Byrd, Carters Chord, Mark Chesnutt, Emerson Drive, Adam Gregory, Jypsi, Lost Trailers, Richie McDonald, David Nail, Heidi Newfield, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Phil Stacey, Aaron Tippin and Chuck Wicks Friday, June 6 Eric Church, Cowboy Crush, Crossin' Dixon, Ashley Gearing, Jennifer Hanson, Heartland, Sarah Johns, Lonestar, Neal McCoy, Lorrie Morgan, Megan Mullins, Jake Owen, The Road Hammers, Crystal Shawanda, Ashton Shepherd, Fisher Stevenson, Emily West and Chris Young Saturday, June 7 Katie Arminger, John Berry, Lee Brice, Eli Young Band, the "Honky Tonk Tail Gate Party with Buddy Jewell, Ray Scott, Trent Willmon and Mark Wills," Randy Houser, Emma Mae Jacob, Justin Moore, Michael Martin Murphy, Minnie Murphy, Jasmine Rae, Mica Roberts, The Roys, Jeffrey Steele, Doug Stone, Mel Tillis, Trailor Choir, Jimmy Wayne, Whiskey Falls, and Darryl Worley Sunday, June 8 Charlie Allen, T. Graham Brown, Laura Bryna, Carolina Rain, Drew Davis Band, Whitney Duncan, Jimmy Fortune, Ty Herndon, LoCash Cowboys, Rockie Lynne, Raul Malo, Mel McDaniel, Oak Ridge Boys, Jamie O'Neal, Rissi Palmer, Rio Grand, Sunny Sweeney, Bryan White and Billy Yates Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.  To keep up-to-date on the CMA Music Festival lineup, visit CMAfest.com as well as Countryhound's CMA MusicFest Guide.