Music reigns at 2011 CMA Music Festival, with artists performing on a variety of stages throughout the event. Fans will enjoy performances from newly-signed artists, radio favorites, today’s superstars, legendary members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and more. Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, CMA Music Festival takes place Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12, in downtown Nashville.
“Fans will hear live music almost everywhere they turn at CMA Music Festival,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have legends, superstars, today’s favorites, multi-media personalities, rising stars, international celebrities, and unsigned artists performing almost around the clock. We appreciate all of these artists coming together to give our fans an outstanding celebration for the 40th CMA Music Festival.”
All performance lineups listed below are in alphabetical order. Please visit www.CMAfest.com for schedules and performance times. Artists are subject to change.
Chevrolet(tm) Presents the CMA Global Artist Party
Chevrolet(tm) Presents the CMA Global Artist Party will be held at The Stage on Broadway on Monday, June 6 beginning at 6:30 PM. This is a free event open to the public, though fans with four-day CMA Music Festival tickets will have first priority.
The event will be hosted by Australian husband and wife duo O’Shea. Performers include Kaylee Bell (New Zealand), Dean Brody (Canada), Chad Brownlee (Canada), Diana Corcoran (Australia), Luke Dickens (Australia), Tommy Emmanuel (from Australia), McAlister Kemp (Australia), Raintown (UK), and Marlee Scott (Canada).
The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party
The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party will be held on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage in Riverfront Park on Wednesday, June 8th (1:00-4:00 PM). The free concert will feature performances from: Eli Young Band, Randy Houser, Josh Thompson, Uncle Kracker, and more. Gates will open for the concerts at Noon.
The Block Party immediately follows The Seventh Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade, which will be held from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. The Parade will start at the corner of Broadway and Tenth Avenue and run eastward down Broadway to Riverfront Park. Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson and the Oak Ridge Boys will serve as co-grand marshals. GAC television personality Storme Warren will announce the Parade at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue.
Chevrolet Riverfront Stage
Daily Concerts are held on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage in Riverfront Park on Thursday through Saturday, June 9-11 (10:00 AM-5:30 PM), and Sunday, June 12 (10:30 AM-6:00 PM). These concerts are free to the public. Four-day CMA Music Festival ticket holders can enter Riverfront Park at 9:00 AM on Thursday-Saturday, and 9:30 AM on Sunday. The general public can enter at 9:45 AM on Thursday-Saturday, and 10:15 AM on Sunday.
Thursday, June 9: Gary Allan, Emerson Drive, Colt Ford, Sammy Kershaw, Neal McCoy, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, and Steel Magnolia. The national anthem will be performed by Winfield’s Locket. The afternoon hosts will be Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase. The morning host will be named at a later date.
Friday, June 10: Bill Anderson, Frankie Ballard, Bucky Covington, Brett Eldredge, Jo Dee Messina, Randy Montana, Sawyer Brown, Phil Vassar, James Wesley, and Darryl Worley. The national anthem will be performed by Katie Armiger. The afternoon hosts will be Big D and Bubba. The morning host will be named at a later date.
Saturday, June 11: Crystal Bowersox, Jason Michael Carroll, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve Holy, Lonestar, David Lee Murphy, David Nail, Corey Smith, Mel Tillis, and Chuck Wicks. The national anthem will be performed by Brother Trouble. The morning host is WKDF/Nashville radio personality Becca. The afternoon hosts are WSIX/Nashville radio personalities Billy & Karla.
Sunday, June 12: The Bellamy Brothers, Roy Clark, Terri Clark, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Josh Kelley, LoCash Cowboys, Troy Olsen, and Sunny Sweeney. The morning host is WSM/Nashville radio personality Bill Cody, and the afternoon host is WKRN television personality Neil Orne. The national anthem singer will be named at a later date.
Lay’s Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza
Lay’s is the Official Snack of CMA Music Festival and its title stage is conveniently located at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue just outside the Bridgestone Arena. This free stage will offer performances all four days of CMA Music Festival, beginning at 11:00 AM and ending at 5:30 PM.
The current performance lineup for Lay’s Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza is:
Thursday, June 9: Blackberry Smoke, Bush Hawg, Edens Edge, Casey James, Jason Jones, Daryle Singletary, and Joanna Smith. In addition, there will be a “Classic Country Show” hosted by Jeannie Seely (who will also perform) and featuring Lynn Anderson, David Frizzell, Moore & Moore, and Gene Watson & Rhonda Vincent.
Friday, June 10: Katie Armiger, Steve Azar, Laura Bell Bundy, Earl Thomas Conley, The Harters, Ty Herndon, J.T. Hodges, Miss Willie Brown, and Kip Moore.
Saturday, June 11: T. Graham Brown, Sarah Darling, The Dirt Drifters, Bradley Gaskin, Andy Griggs, Hunter Hayes, Jennette McCurdy, Jamie O’Neal, and Stealing Angels.
Sunday, June 12: Bo Bice, Carter’s Chord, Dailey & Vincent, Foster & Lloyd, Walker Hayes, Jaron and the Long Road to Love, Christian Kane, Robin Meade, and Mark Wills.
Bud Light® Stage in the Sports Zone
The Bud Light Stage is a new, free stage in the popular Sports Zone that will be open Thursday-Saturday (11:00 AM-5:00 PM), and Sunday (11:00 AM-4:00 PM). The Sports Zone is located between Broadway and Demonbreun off Fourth Avenue South next to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
The current performance lineup for the Bud Light Stage in the Sports Zone is:
Thursday, June 9: The Cleverly’s, Due West, Ashley Gearing, Sean Patrick McGraw, and Ty Stone. In addition there will be a CMA Songwriters Series presented by ASCAP, featuring Brent Anderson, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Brad Crisler, and Blaine Larsen.
Friday, June 10: Burns & Poe, Her & Kings Country, Ray Scott, Tiffany, and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage. In addition there will be a “CMA Celebrity Close Up” hosted by Blair Garner of “After Mid-Nite” and featuring Ashton Shepherd discussing her life and music, and a CMA Songwriters Series presented by BMI.
Saturday, June 11: Brother Trouble, Margaret Durante, Tyler Farr, Matt Stillwell, and Winfield’s Locket. In addition there will be a CMA Songwriters Series presented by SESAC.
Sunday, June 12: Anita Cochran, Mark Cooke, Curtis and Luckey, Josh Hoge, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Kristin Kelly, Frank Ortega, The Roys, and Bridgette Tatum.
Chevrolet Stage in the Sports Zone
The Chevrolet Stage is a second, free stage in the popular Sports Zone that will be open Thursday-Saturday (11:00 AM-5:00 PM), and Sunday (11:00 AM-4:00 PM). The Sports Zone is located between Broadway and Demonbreun off Fourth Avenue South next to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This stage will feature fishing and hunting clinics, cooking demonstrations, and more. Musical artists performing on the Chevrolet Stage in the Sports Zone include:
Thursday, June 9: Paul Bogart, Jolie Holliday & Sonny Burgess, Sonia Leigh, and Skyler
Friday, June 10: Paul Bogart, Daniel Lee Martin, Payton Rae, and Skyler
Saturday, June 11: Russell Dickerson, Daniel Lee Martin, and Skyler
Sunday, June 12: Jolie Holliday, Julie Roberts, and Skyler
Power Zone Stage
The Power Zone is an exciting new, free outdoor area for 2011 CMA Music Festival, located at the corner of Second Avenue North and Church Street. The Power Zone will be open Thursday-Saturday (10:00 AM-6:00 PM), and Sunday (10:00 AM-4:00 PM). The Power Zone Stage will feature celebrity events, autograph sessions, and audience interactive shows. It will also host musical performances from the following artists:
Thursday, June 9: DC & Julia and an Australian Showcase hosted by Matt Scullion
Friday, June 10: Lee Gibson, Johanna Jacobsen, Nick Carver Band, and an Australian Showcase hosted by Matt Scullion
Saturday, June 11: Flat River Band, McCarter Twins, and Josh Mullins
Sunday, June 12: Flat River Band, Johanna Jacobsen, and McCarter Twins
Durango® Acoustic Corner
The Durango® Acoustic Corner will present daily concerts at the Nashville Convention Center in Room 209 all four days of CMA Music Festival (10:00 AM and 4:00 PM). The concerts are only open to four-day ticket holders, but they will be broadcast live on 650 WSM-AM Radio in Nashville. WSM personalities Bill Cody, Charlie Mattos, Joe Limardi, and Eddie Stubbs will serve as stage hosts.
Thursday, June 9: Carter’s Chord, Billy Dean, Ernie Henderickson, Richie McDonald, Ken Mellons, The Quebe Sisters Band, Riders in the Sky, Gene Watson & Rhonda Vincent, Mark Wills, and Billy Yates.
Friday, June 10: Black Lillies, Blue Mother Tupelo, T. Graham Brown, Burns & Poe, Due West, Wade Hayes, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Marty Raybon, Lulu Roman, and Donna Ulisse.
Saturday, June 11: Lynn Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Shawn Camp with 18 South, The Cleverlys, Teea Goans, Con Hunley, Chase Rice, Lee Roy Parnell, Dana Romanello, and Bryan White.
Sunday, June 12: Abigail Blake, BrazilBilly, Sarah Darling, Amber Hayes, DJ Miller, The Roys, Trent Tomlinson, and Jesse Keith Whitley.
Nightly Concerts at LP Field
The Nightly Concerts at LP Field are a highlight of CMA Music Festival, as well as the basis for the three-hour ABC television special “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock,” which will air later this summer. The Nightly Concerts are included in the four-day tickets to CMA Music Festival; however, single night tickets can also be purchased.
All performers have been previously announced except for the singers of the national anthem and hosts, who are listed below.
Thursday, June 9: Jason Aldean (with a special guest performance from Kelly Clarkson), Easton Corbin, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley, and Zac Brown Band (with special guest performance from Alan Jackson, Amos Lee, Sonia Leigh, and Randy Travis). The national anthem will be performed by The Isaacs, and the show will be hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson and four-time CMA Award winner Steve Wariner.
Friday, June 10: Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Reba, Ashton Shepherd, Sugarland, and Keith Urban. The national anthem will be performed by Gary Morris, and the show hosts will be GAC’s Storme Warren and a special guest star from the Marvel feature film “Captain America.”
Saturday, June 11: Trace Adkins, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Josh Turner, and Chris Young. The national anthem will be performed by Dailey & Vincent, and the show host will be CMT’s Evan Farmer.
Sunday, June 12: The Band Perry, the JaneDear girls, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift. The national anthem will be performed by Edens Edge, and the show host will be GAC’s Storme Warren.
Four-day tickets to CMA Music Festival, which include all four Nightly Concerts at LP Field and daily access to the Fan Fair® Exhibit Hall, can be purchased 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). Ticket prices are based on the level of seating at LP Field for the Nightly Concerts, and range from $115 to $180 plus handling fees.
Single night tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts can be purchased for $35 (plus applicable handling fees) for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field through the same websites and phone numbers.
CMA Music Festival benefits music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education. Since 2006, more than $4.7 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies. The total also includes an annual endowment gift for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Words & Music program. The philanthropic program, titled “Keep the Music Playing,” was created by the CMA Board of Directors as a way to give back to the community on behalf of the artists who perform for free.
Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com
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