More artists have been added to the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2012 CMA Music Festival, featuring two acoustic performance sets each night.

During Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, June 7, David Nail will perform the title track of his album The Sound of a Million Dreams with the previously-announced Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner). The Nashville School of the Arts has been a recipient of funds from CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program, which benefits music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Having a father who is a highly regarded high school band director, taught Nail to be a life-long supporter of music education.

The current lineups for the Nightly Concerts are as follows in alphabetical order:

Thursday, June 7:
Full band performances: Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley,and Zac Brown Band
Acoustic performances :Lauren Alaina and Kellie Pickler
Special performance: David Nail with the Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner)
National Anthem performer: Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner)
Host: Storme Warren (GAC’s “Headline Country”)

Friday, June 8:
Full band performances: The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood
Acoustic performances: Randy Houser and Gwen Sebastian
National Anthem performer: Oak Ridge Boys
Host: To be announced soon

Saturday, June 9:
Full band performances: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Kenny Rogers
Acoustic performances: Love and Theft and Kip Moore
National Anthem performer: Julie Roberts
Host: Melissa Peterman (CMT’s “The Singing Bee”)

Sunday, June 10:
Full band performances: Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, and Rascal Flatts
Acoustic performances: Bill Anderson and Steel Magnolia
National Anthem performer: Sarah Darling
Host: Evan Farmer (CMT’s “Top 20 Countdown”)

Tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are $40 (plus applicable handling fees) for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field. Fans can purchase their tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1 (800) 745-3000. They can also purchase them through CMAfest.com or 1 (800) CMA-FEST (262-3378).

Four-day ticket packages are also available, from only $125 per person plus handling fees. Four-day ticket package categories correspond to varying levels of seating at LP Field and include admittance to all four Nightly Concerts as well as all daytime Festival activities, including the Fan Fair Fall where artist autograph signing sessions are held. Children 3 years and younger are admitted FREE. For information on ADA seating, please call 1-800-CMA-FEST.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

CMA kick starts 2012 CMA Music Festival on Wednesday, June 6th with The Eighth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade at 11:00 AM/CT, followed by The Seventh Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party at 12:30 PM/CT.

Country icon Glen Campbell will be the Grand Marshal for the Parade. Campbell last performed at CMA Music Festival in 2004. He has received two CMA Awards, including CMA Entertainer of the Year (1968) and Male Vocalist of the Year (1968), and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Last year, Campbell announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, he released his final album, the critically-acclaimed Ghost on the Canvas, and is in the midst of his successful Goodbye Tour.

“Last year more than 16,000 fans lined Broadway for the Parade and with our beloved Glen Campbell as Grand Marshal this year we are expecting even more people to come out and show their support and love for this iconic Country Music figure,” said Sheri Warnke, CMA Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing.

The Eighth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade will launch from Tenth Avenue on Broadway and end at Riverfront Park, site of the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage (First Avenue). One of the most popular features of the parade is the 40 Country Music artists riding in a wide variety of Chevrolet vehicles including vintage Corvettes.

Little Big Town has a different mode of transportation planned for the Parade. In support of their new single “Pontoon” each member of the group, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook, will be riding on four different Premier pontoon boats alongside lucky fans.

“What could we do for the fans that would be unique? Well, we can ride them around on a pontoon at the CMA Festival Kick-Off Parade!,” said Fairchild. “After the parade we’ll have the honor of kicking off the Block Party at the Riverfront Stage singing ‘Pontoon.’ It’s a good way to start CMA Fest, don’t you think?”

With Campbell as Grand Marshal, other artists are lining up to participate in the Parade including Bill Anderson, Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Craig Wayne Boyd, Weston Burt, Craig Campbell, Bucky Covington, Cowboy Troy, Ira Dean, Jaida Dreyer, Due West, Tyler Farr, Florida Georgia Line, Flynnville Train, Colt Ford, The Grascals, Greg Hanna, Amber Hayes, Angie Johnson, Little Big Town, LoCash Cowboys, Rachele Lynae, Manuel, The McClymonts, Randy Montana, Lorrie Morgan, Craig Morrison, The Oak Ridge Boys, Chase Rice, Marlee Scott, Matt Stillwell, Payton Rae, David St. Romain, The Roys, Jason Sturgeon, Trent Tomlinson, Trailer Choir, Rhonda Vincent, and Corey Wagar.

Other participants include the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, BIC® Soleil Sunshine Squad, Carl Black Chevrolet and the Luke Bryan/Eric Church 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, The 22nd Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge, Cooter’s Garage General Lee, GEICO Gecko, Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee, Gnash and the Nashville Predators Dancers and Ice Girls, the Jelly Bean on Tour Bus, military veterans riding the Music City Trolley, Music City Drum and Bugle Corps, a 40×60 foot American flag that will be carried by veterans and representatives of Nashville’s Fire Department, Metro Nashville Police Department Drill and Ceremony Team, Metro Police Mounted Unit, Metro Police Special Operations Boat and SWAT Rescue Truck, Nashville Rollergirls, Nashville Zoo and Twiga (the Zoo’s giraffe mascot), Operation Troop Aid, Travel Channel’s Destination Summer Tour Bus, and more.

Making its second appearance in the Kick-Off Parade is the Keep the Music Playing All Stars Marching Band, which is made up of 125 students representing eight Metro Nashville Public Schools including Antioch High School, East Literature Magnet School, Hillsboro High School, Hunters Lane Comprehensive High School, John Overton High School, Maplewood High School, McGavock High School, and Stratford STEM Magnet High School playing together for the first time under the direction of Antioch High School band director Scott Miller, associate director Caryn Miller, and Jarrett Jones, who will be assisting with the drum line.

Since 2006, CMA has donated half the net proceeds from the Festival to support music education through the Keep the Music Playing program on behalf of the artists who make appearances and perform for free.

To date, more than $6.1 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies, providing thousands of students in Metro Schools with the resources and opportunities they could not have afforded on their own, and giving many of them a strong reason to remain in school. The total also includes a $1 million endowment gift for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Words & Music program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting.

Following the parade, The Seventh Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party will take place at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage. Free and open to the public, the concert starts at 12:30 PM with Little Big Town kicking it off followed by Brazilbilly, Eric Lee Beddingfield, and LoCash Cowboys.

The Block Party is just the beginning, with four more days of live entertainment throughout downtown Nashville.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

The legendary Glen Campbell, Ronnie Milsap, and Kenny Rogers, and reunited multi-Platinum certified group The Mavericks have joined the performer lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field held during 2012 CMA Music Festival. The event takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, in downtown Nashville, and will once again be filmed for an ABC television special to air in late summer

Campbell will deliver the opening performance on the Nightly Concerts on Thursday, June 7; Milsap will open on Friday, June 8; Rogers will open on Saturday, June 9; and The Mavericks will open on Sunday, June 10.

The current lineups for the Nightly Concerts are as follows in alphabetical order:

Thursday,
June 7:
Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, and Zac Brown Band

Friday,
June 8:
The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood

Saturday,
June 9:
Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, and Kenny Rogers

Sunday,
June 10:
Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, and Rascal Flatts

Tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are $40 (plus applicable handling fees) for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field. Fans can purchase their tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1 (800) 745-3000. They can also purchase them through CMAfest.com or 1 (800) CMA-FEST (262-3378).

Four-day ticket packages are also available, from only $125 per person plus handling fees. Four-day ticket package categories correspond to varying levels of seating at LP Field and include admittance to all four Nightly Concerts as well as all daytime Festival activities, including the Fan Fair Fall where artist autograph signing sessions are held. Children 3 years and younger are admitted FREE. For information on ADA seating, please call 1-800-CMA-FEST.

CMTT wants you to be a Tattle Tale! We want to hear what you have to say about country music and your favorite artists. Email Jessica at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com. Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

The Band Perry received a flurry of press following their performance with Glen Campbell at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards this past Sunday night but perhaps the real story for them happened off- stage. It was their very first Grammy nomination and performance. That performance inspired an intersection of two generations, that of Campbell’s and the new fans that The Band Perry is bringing to the country music format.

The group garnered a nomination in the “Best New Artist” category and was asked to join the historic tribute to Campbell, which also included country star Blake Shelton and Campbell himself. Campbell, who recently revealed he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, just released his final studio album and will also complete his final live tour this year. The performance on the CBS broadcast of the Grammy Awards was also quite possibly the legend’s final television appearance as well.

“We are so honored to have been a part of the tribute to Glen Campbell,” says Kimberly Perry. “It was special in so many ways. Our parents have always been big fans and they introduced us to his music in our early years. Our performance with him was such an amazing crossroads between our parent’s generation and ours. His timeless songs and talent have truly left a legacy that will continue to inspire new artists and new fans alike.”

“Performing in such a historical moment is something that we will remember forever. We grew up listening to songs like “Gentle on My Mind” and then to be able to perform it as a tribute to the man himself was just incredible,” says Reid Perry.

“It was not only special to perform with Glen Campbell but also with his band. We are a family band and his family is also in his band, his children are part of the group. We really felt like everything had come full circle for us. They made us feel so comfortable and part of the family,” comments Neil Perry.

The Band Perry’s current single “All Your Life” tops the country radio charts for a second week in the coveted #1 spot and also recently garnered RIAA GOLD sales status.

Visit www.TheBandPerry.com for more info on the group.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED

Glen Campbell’s critically acclaimed 2008 album, Meet Glen Campbell, has been expanded with exclusive bonus tracks for a special CD and digital edition to be released February 7 by Capitol/EMI. Campbell will be honored with The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award on February 11.

Upon its original release in August 2008, Meet Glen Campbell was met with worldwide critical praise, and Campbell promoted the album with interviews and performances for a broad spectrum of media, including an “AOL Sessions” concert. Meet Glen Campbell’s expanded edition adds three performances from that concert (Campbell’s classic hits “Wichita Lineman” and “Rhinestone Cowboy,” and U2’s “All I Want Is You”), as well as 2008 remixes of “Gentle On My Mind” and “Galveston.”

Thanks to our friends at Capitol/EMI records we have 1 copy to giveaway to our readers.  Simply click the Enter to Win button below for your chance to win!  Hurry Contest Ends Friday, February 24th.

Congratulations to our winner:

• Valerie L.

Click Read More to See the Full Track Listing of Meet Glen Campbell

Meet Glen Campbell (CD, digital)
1. Sing (Travis)
2. Walls (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
3. Angel Dream (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
4. Times Like These (Foo Fighters)
5. These Days (Jackson Browne)
6. Sadly Beautiful (The Replacements)
7. All I Want Is You (U2)
8. Jesus (Velvet Underground)
9. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) (Green Day)
10. Grow Old With Me (John Lennon)

EXCLUSIVE BONUS TRACKS
11. Gentle On My Mind (2008 Remix)
12. Galveston (2008 Remix)
13. Wichita Lineman (AOL Sessions, 2008)
14. Rhinestone Cowboy (AOL Sessions, 2008)

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Blake Shelton and The Band Perry joined the legendary Glen Campbell on stage at the 2012 Grammy Awards for a medley of his greatest hits that included ‘Gentle on My Mind’, ‘Southern Nights’ and ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’.

The highlight of the Grammy’s for me was watching the all-star crowd dance in the isles as Glen worked the room like only he can.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

10. The pre-telecast awards kicked off with @TaylorSwift13 as an early winner for country music. “Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance. I’m floating.”

9. The events started early this morning with @TheBandPerry tweeting “Just finished our last Grammy rehearsal… And Sir Paul McCartney was on the first row watching us!!! Tune in to the show tonight. (np)”

8. Finally getting the recognition they deserve, @TheCivilWars were also early winners. “Best Folk Album and Best Country Duo Performance. We’re on cloud 9. Thanks to all of you! #GRAMMYs”

7. As the awards started, Cody Alan @CMTcody noticed an odd seating arrangement. “Miranda Lambert sits next 2 Lady Gaga. Carrie Underwood next 2 Tony Bennett and Taylor Swift next to Nicki Minaj. Only at the #GrammyAwards”
**Update** @Miranda_Lambert tweeted “She likes to cook and as of tonight is a fan of the randarita! (bacardi and crystal light)”

6. There was no lack of love for Adele throughout the night. @ChrisYoungMusic “Adele. That is all. #damn”

5. With the recent loss of Whitney, Jennifer Hudson’s tribute hit the hearts of many including @EdensEdge “OMG who else cried to Jennifer Hudson’s tribute to Whitney Houston?! God I miss her so much! A legend we will never forget HB”

4. Along with the great performances, some left us questioning what was happening as the Casey Donahew Band (@CaseyDBand) tweets about the mystery mousehead “I hope Walt Disney is getting a royalty check from that weirdo stealing his logo to wear on his head and make noise!!”

3. One of the highlights of the night included a tribute by @BlakeShelton and the Band Perry to the legendary Glen Campbell “So honored to have shared the stage of the Grammys with The Band Perry and the great Glen Campbell…”

2. Of course there is always a performance that leaves you disturbed. @RandyMontana tweets “Still wigged out from that Nikki Minage exorcism.”

1. As @DavidNail says it’s not about the individual performances, it is about the magic that happens in a room of musicians. “One year ago I was in the audience, the energy and pride I felt in that room will never be forgotten! It’s the ultimate reward…”

Until next year,
Scotty B.
cmttreviewer@yahoo.com
Twitter @stupidkid2150