CMA Music Fest Gains From Country Music Popularity

6/2/2008 Mac McKinnon   Country Music is at an incredibly high level of popularity at the moment, and one need look no further than the 2008 CMA Music Festival as testament to that claim. A record 68 companies will advertise their products to concert-goers, representing a 15 percent increase from last year. The raise could be due, in large part, to crossover artists such as American Idol winner Carrie Underwood, who have swayed large numbers of fans across genre lines. Last year’s festival had 191,000 attendees and generated $21 million in revenue. Marketers hope that fans demonstrate the same loyalty to their products that they have to the artists themselves. "It's a great opportunity to hit the masses," said Tammy Donham, the Country Music Association's director of strategic marketing. "When someone partners with us, they know they are going to get a great experience, awesome attendance and really reach their core audience." For highlights of the festival check out Webb's blog, or CountryHound's CMA MusicFest Guide. The festival will begin Thursday June 8, though there is a kick-off parade Wednesday June 7.