CMA Music Festival 2011

Highlights of 2011 CMA Music Festival
The Seventh Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade wound through Downtown Nashville on Wednesday before an estimated 16,000 cheering spectators. Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson and The Oak Ridge Boys served as Co-Grand Marshals. First-time parade participants included the Budweiser Clydesdales, the City of Hope Charity Softball Tournament, a fleet of Harley-Davidsons, and the Rascal Flatts Big Machine Camaro with designs by West Coast Customs.

Following the procession, the fun kicked into high gear with "The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party." An estimated 14,500 fans gathered at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage for a beautiful a cappella rendition of the national anthem by Carter's Chord, followed by full tilt performances from Josh Thompson, Lee Brice, The Eli Young Band, Uncle Kracker, and Randy Houser.

Nightly Concerts at LP Field
The Nightly Concerts at LP Field featured a variety of artists representing the four decades of the Festival. In all, 43 artists participated in the star-packed performances.

Each night at LP Field, a special recorded announcement played on the Jumbotron from Chris Evans, star of the movie "Captain America: The First Avenger." After announcing "Hey, Nashville, hope everyone's having a great time," Evans introduced a clip of the upcoming summer blockbuster.

Pre-show activities Thursday included pre-taped remarks from television personalities including "E! News" Co-Hosts Giuliana Rancic and Ryan Seacrest; Craig Ferguson, host of "The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson"; Mario Lopez, host of "Extra"; Robin Roberts of "Good Morning America"; and all the hosts of "The View" (Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Sherri Shepherd) congratulating CMA on the Festival's 40th anniversary.

Artists also recorded their well wishes including Alabama, Bill Anderson, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood. Welcoming remarks followed from CMA's Moore, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, who declared: "There are lots of great places to live in the world – but nothing beats Tennessee!"

Performing Thursday were Zac Brown Band with guests Alan Jackson, Amos Lee, Sonia Leigh, and Randy Travis; Sara Evans; Jason Aldean, with special guest Kelly Clarkson; and Brad Paisley, with surprise guest Alabama. "American Idol" alumnus Casey James delivered a solo acoustic set, and the national anthem was sung by The Isaacs.

"The last time I was here was three years ago," Evans announced to the welcoming audience. "It is so great to be back at CMA Music Fest!"

Ashton Shepheard, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and Reba performed on Friday. Shania Twain made a surprise appearance to introduce Sugarland, and Jake Owen joined Urban on "Don't Think I Can't Love You." The Cleverly's and Clay Walker did acoustic sets, and Paul Harris of The Cleverly's delivered a stand-up comedy performance. Gary Morris sang the national anthem to open the show.

"CMA, we love you so much," said Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood. "You have changed our lives!"

"This is the greatest week of the year," said Walker. "God bless the CMA and the CMA Music Festival fans!"

Performing Saturday were Chris Young, Little Big Town, Josh Turner, Trace Adkins, Martina McBride, and Rascal Flatts. Clint Black and Thompson Square performed acoustic sets. It was a night of surprises with Big & Rich and guest Gretchen Wilson making an unannounced appearance; and special guest appearances by "American Idol" 2011 winner Scotty McCreery (with Turner), "American Idol" 2011 runner-up Lauren Alaina (with McBride), and Little Big Town (with Rascal Flatts). In addition, reigning "Celebrity Apprentice" John Rich introduced "Celebrity Apprentice" runner-up Adkins' set.

Thanking his fans for offering support and assistance after losing his home to a fire exactly one week prior, Adkins added: "Please take that feeling of generosity and point it somewhere else. Give it to the Red Cross or somebody like that because we're OK."

Moved by the powerful audience response to her performance of "A Broken Wing," McBride, with deep emotion, said, "I wish you all could know what that feels like to me. I have been so inspired by you guys this week. I love y'all so much and you're the reason that I do this."

And more in the spirit of a celebration, midway through Rascal Flatts' closing set, Joe Don Rooney called out, "I know it's getting late, but we love you guys so much, so we want to keep the party rockin'!"

The Sunday lineup featured the Janedear girls, The Band Perry, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, and Taylor Swift, who closed the Festival. Adkins returned for a guest appearance with Shelton, and The Pistol Annies (featuring Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley) performed during Lambert's set. Eden's Edge sang the national anthem. Jimmy Wayne, Eli Young Band and Tracy Lawrence performed acoustic sets.

"I've been waiting to play on this stage for 13 years," said Wayne. "Thank you all so much for listening and for your support."

"I know we have stuff to do tomorrow, but I don't give a crap about that," said Shelton just before beginning his set. "How about we raise a little Hell?"

"They told me it would be alright if I just stood up on stage and told my stories," said Swift. "There's just one question. Are you ready?"

Hosts at LP Field included Bill Anderson and Steve Wariner on Thursday; Clay Walker and GAC on-air personality Storme Warren on Friday; Evan Farmer and Kristin Chenoweth on Saturday; and Warren again on Sunday.

Chevrolet Riverfront Stage
"Good to see everyone up so early. I was hoping someone would actually be out here with me," said Gary Allan as he opened his set – and four days of music – at the popular daytime Chevrolet Riverfront Stage in front of one of the biggest opening day crowds on record.

The stage bustled with a roster of outstanding performers delivering longer sets for the appreciative crowd. In all, 45 acts performed nearly 31 hours of concerts over the four days.

Lay's Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza
The single stage at Riverfront made it easier between sets for fans to experience some of the other daytime concert venues including the Lay's Stage at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza, where the lineup included 35 acts performing more than 26 hours of concerts. The lineup included up-and-comers, established stars, and legends.

Fan Fair® Hall
The state of continuous commotion that's been the standard for Fan Fair Hall was back in force with 443 artists and celebrities appearing at the Nashville Convention Center – well over the 253 who appeared in 2010. All exhibit booths were sold out in advance of the event.

Average Fan Fair hall attendance was just under 14,000 each of the event's four days. The Fan Fair Hall was exclusive to four-day ticket holders.

Among the artists and celebrities who appeared were Adkins, who signed at the Waggin' Train booth; "American Idol" favorites McCreery and Alaina, who met with 150 fans for two hours at the CMA booth; Jason Michael Carroll, who stayed for half an hour after the exhibit hall closed to finish signing autographs and meet fans; Billy Ray Cyrus, who signed at the CMA booth and continued signing for another half hour as he exited the building; Dolly Parton, who met with 40 lucky fans in honor of the 40th anniversary of the event and posed for photos for the huge crowd of onlookers. It was her first appearance in the Fan Fair hall in more than three decades. Chris Young, signed multiple days, for multiple hours.

Some of the largest numbers of autograph seekers were drawn by Bill Anderson, Laura Bell Bundy, Kristin Chenoweth, Easton Corbin, Charlie Daniels, Diamond Rio, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Justin Moore, Kellie Pickler, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, David Nail, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Ricky Skaggs, Steel Magnolia, Clay Walker, and Darryl Worley. And for the second year in a row, the new tradition of a Sunday morning line dance through the aisles of the Fan Fair Hall continued by CMA event staff and was led by Lulu Roman.

Dedicated fans camped on the street outside of the Exhibit Hall starting at 11:00 AM/CT on Wednesday – a new record – for an opportunity to be first in line to meet their favorite stars when the Fan Fair Hall opened at 10:00 AM Thursday.

Durango® Boots returned to present the Acoustic Corner, which launched in 2004 as a showcase for independent artists, and featured 46 solo or group