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WALKIN’ A COUNTRY MILE
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COUNTRY MUSIC COLUMN
by Scott
Stem
SPECIAL REPORT: LIVE AT THE CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2005...
The CMA Music Festival set a new attendance record in June with more than 145,000 fans from all 50 states and 20 countries attending the Nashville event during the four days.
Montgomery Gentry kicked the festival off with a rowdy performance at the Riverfront.
Throughout the four days, hundreds of artists performed. The nightly concerts at The Coliseum featured: Trace Adkins, Jeff Bates, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Chris Cagle, Diamond Rio, Sara Evans, Josh Gracin, Andy Griggs, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Craig Morgan, Dolly Parton and The Grascals, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Sawyer Brown, SHeDAISY, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Trick Pony, Travis Tritt, “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Phil Vassar, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Wynonna and Trisha Yearwood. This lineup covered the entire range of Country Music, from newcomers to established stars; superstars to legends.
The Riverfront concerts had even more artists. I won’t list them all for you, but among the highlights were: Jason Aldean, Jessi Alexander, Bill Anderson, Keith Anderson, Steve Azar, Bellamy Brothers, Blue County, Cowboy Troy, Billy Ray Cyrus, Billy Gilman, Hanna-McEuen, Jedd Hughes, Buddy Jewell, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Blaine Larsen, Oak Ridge Boys, Jamie O’Neal, Jon Randall, Restless Heart, T.G. Sheppard, Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand, Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis , Aaron Tippin, Bryan White, The Wilkinsons, Trent Willmon, Chely Wright and more.
The autograph seekers were in luck, as the Wrangler Fan Fair Exhibit Hall had plenty of stars waiting to meet their fans. Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Kix Brooks, Donna Fargo, Vern Gosdin, The Grascals, Hot Apple Pie, David Kersh, Miranda Lambert, Neal McCoy, Jo Dee Messina, Julie Roberts, Sugarland, Tanya Tucker, Darryl Worley and hundreds more posed for photos and shared stories with their fans.
Sports events? The Festival had them. Andy Griggs won his own Celebrity Archery Tournament, which featured participation from Troy Gentry (of Montgomery Gentry), Gary LeVox (from Rascal Flatts), Aaron Tippin and Lee Ann Womack among others. Amber Dotson and pro fisherman Paul Elias won the BASS Anglers and Artists Tournament. Steve Azar, Danni O’Neill, former NFL football star Steve Cole and indoor football Nashville Kat’s Aaron McConnell won the T.G.I. Friday’s Sports Challenge.
Fans got an up close and personal look at some of their favorite stars in the CMA Celebrity Close Up Sessions. Moderated by Lorianne Crook, the sessions feature in-depth talks with Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Sugarland, Travis Tritt and Trisha Yearwood.
The NBC Daytime Stars of “Days of our Lives” and “Passions” were back as well, signing autographs, posing for pictures and hosting performances. The annual NBC Daytime After Hours Party at the Wildhorse Saloon was once again sold out, as fans were entertained by the soap stars and Blue County.
The festival is a huge undertaking and these few words can’t give it justice. Check out www.CMAfest.com for lots more photos.
The 2006 CMA Music Festival will be June 8-11 in Downtown Nashville. Tickets are on sale now. To order tickets for the 2006 CMA Music Festival call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.
We’ll go back to album reviews in next month’s column. Be on the look out for new albums from Jason Aldean, Nickel Creek, Trisha Yearwood and more! |
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