Daily Coverage and Photos by CSO Journalists Christy Cowan-Baker, LaQueta Eley, Helen Peterson,
Leah Anderson, Brianna Nightingale and Jim Weaver.
Wrap-Up:
Fourteen hours is the time it
takes Leah and Helen
to arrive home after a week in
Music City. That is a
long drive but it gives us a
great opportunity to reflect on
the magical week at the CMA
Music Festival. We replay
the highlights of the trip, most
of which we shared in our daily
wrap-up, but there are always
those things we realize we
missed sharing with our readers.
The week isn’t only about going
from one venue to another; it is
about the amazing and
interesting people that country
music brings together. We met
some great ones this past week
and even caught up with friends
from past years. These are
people who have come into our
lives and, in many special ways,
have managed to touch us. They
have also given us some of the
best memories over the years.
Paul
and Mitch, the great guys
we met on the rooftop of
Ripey’s Smokehouse Grill.
You gave us a lot of laughs, a
great vantage point to see the
CMA Fest Kickoff parade and
promises of more next year.
Cindy
and Sommer, the stories
you shared with us about your
lives in Arkansas will never be
forgotten. It makes our life
seem so boring. Cindy gets the
award for being the most
gullible person I know. She
actually believed me when I told
her the new hottest group was
called Strawberry Shortcake.
She would have stood in line for
hours to see them perform.
Kudos to Sandy, the
shuttle bus driver, who, with a
smile, took us and many other
members of the press from place
to place. Thursday of CMA week
was her birthday and Brianna
surprised her with a cupcake.
With all of us carrying cameras,
you would think we would have
taken advantage of that “Kodak
moment” but not one of us
managed to think of it. Sandy
shared a great story with us
from the previous year when she
was asked to take
Emerson Drive
to LP Field. Her mind was
focused on the strict
regulations she was required to
follow as a shuttle bus driver
and was adamant that she had to
drive a specific route from
downtown to the stadium; there
was no way she was going to take
Emerson Drive since
it was not part of her route!
Locash Cowboys,
I always have to pick an up and
coming artist and this year it
was Locash. This dynamic duo is
going to take country music by
storm. We are hoping to catch up
with them in July at the
Eau Claire Country Jam.
I can’t end this wrap up without
mentioning the Country Stars
Online staff. This great
bunch of people has become such
a special part of my life and it
has been an incredible year for
all of us. We all were deeply
touched by the strength of our
dynamo senior journalist
Cheryl Harvey Hill
as she struggled to overcome an
extremely serious health
situation. Her faith and
fortitude are unbelievable. It
is almost fodder for a country
song. Let’s see now, hmmm, how
about this: “As we looked
through our tears / we reflected
on our careers / we poured
another Margarita and said /
Miss Cheryl, you ain’t gonna
leave us.” Okay, I know. I know.
I definitely have to put the
songwriting on hold and move on
but after hanging out with so
many great singers and
songwriters all week long, I
thought some of it may have
rubbed off on me.
Last, but not least,
Jim Weaver
and Brianna Nightingale,
hope you enjoyed your rookie
year at the CMA Music Fest.
You have officially become
Fan Fair Fried and
Christy, ‘Queta, and Leah…
another great year and a lot of
wonderful new memories.
Saturday, 6/6:
As the sun came up on Saturday
morning, we were all trying hard to pry our eyes open. Our busy week
had come to an end and, although we had definitely lost some of the
spring in our step somewhere between Tuesday and Friday, on less
than five hours sleep, we were off and running one more time. Our
prime motivation to keep going was our destinations for this day.
Helen and Leah were off to the Riverfront Stage to see one of
our longtime, favorite performers, Joe Nichols. Nichols has
been a huge part of everyone’s lives at CSO and he has become an
extension of our country music family. With his smooth baritone
voice, unmatched good looks, and charming smile, he can effortlessly
pull everyone in attendance into his realm.
Christy and LaQueta went a
different direction, to see another CSO favorite; Chris Young at the
Texas Troubadour Theater for the 7th Annual Chris Young Fan
Club Party. Young and the band performed to a packed audience and
sung several crowd favorites; including “Hummingbird,” a 1986
release by Restless Heart, and Young’s latest single
“Voices”. The fan club held a silent auction to benefit St Jude’s
Children’s Hospital. Hats off to Terri and company for a well
organized function she seems to have answered the question of what
does everyone else do while the artist is signing and taking
pictiures. Call in your friends Billy Yates, David Krol
and The Broussards to perform. This is also the line up for
the 2nd Annual Chris Young Cruise later this year.
We all met up later at the
Chevy Sports Zone where we thoroughly enjoyed a new experience
for us; the Dock Dogs competition hosted by the Outdoor
Channel. The dogs were timed as they jumped from the dock into a
pool and retrieved a bumper at the other end of the pool. In the
blazing Nashville sun and 95 degree heat we watched the speed
retrieve competition and resisted the temptation to jump in with
them.
It was time for LaQueta to leave
for a visit to North Carolina and as we said our goodbyes, the
realization that the week was wrapping up for all of us, became a
reality. But there was one thing we still had to fit into our
schedule, our annual meal at Longhorn Steakhouse. Sitting
around the table, enjoying one of the best steaks to be found
anywhere, and reflecting on the weeks activities has become our
traditional way to end our CMA Music Festival Week and it is a very
special get-together that we all look forward to.
Sunday morning, the suitcases were
loaded into the cars, hugs and farewells were exchanged and we were
all headed home. Some of us only had to drive a few miles, others
had to catch a plane, and still others had a full day’s drive ahead
of them. As another CMA Fest/Fan Fair comes to a close, plans
for next year, believe it or not, are already underway.
Friday, 6/6:
Our
day began with a quick review of
Thursdays pictures. As we
finished the wrap up we
discovered a lineup of music
“off Broadway” at The Tin
Roof that included one of
our favorites;
Miko Marks. In true CSO
fashion we were drawn to the
independent, up and coming,
artists so off we went.
Upon arriving at
the quaint (bar & grill) eatery
we were quickly taken back in
time to the
smokey
old saloons that were the
stomping grounds for the likes
of Hank Williams and
Patsy Cline. Fast forward
forty-five years and not much
has changed. It is still venues
like these where artists
can
hone their craft while
waiting
for that big break, and today
was no different.
Arriving early we were
entertained by Pete Best,
a duo called Mozley Rose,
Jim Collins and Tommy
Wood. When the pint sized
Marks took the stage and belted
out the first note of “Locked
and Loaded,” she captured and
held the attention of everyone
throughout her set. Marks
included three of the fans
favorites, “Son My Daddy Never
Had,” “Mama,” and “It Feels
Good.”
Our
next stop was back to Broadway
to the Cadillac Ranch to
catch Ansel Brown's
show. And what a show it was.
Ansel included the audience in
his crowd pleasing song "Mine's
Bigger".
We
ended the night at the GAC
Nite Cap series at the
Limelight across the street
from LP Field. Hollywood
"Wolf" Yates, from
American Gladiators, hosted
the show. At midnight Crystal
Shawanda took to the stage
followed by Chris Young. The
late night crowd sang and
danced into the wee hours of the
morning.
Thursday, 6/5:
Our plans to spend most of the day at
the Riverfront Stages on Thursday changed as we reviewed all of our
options for the day. We cannot emphasize enough how much great
entertainment is available and we are just not able to see it all.
Fans who return to Nashville year after year can always find new
events that they have not been able to see in previous years. While
artist after artist is performing on the Riverfront Stages, another
roster of artists are performing a few blocks away. Also nearby was
the Sportsman Challenge at the Chevy Sports Zone with its own
lineup. However, we did see Phil Vasser, JoDee Messina, Jason
Michael Carroll, Luke Bryan, and Chuck Wicks perform at
the Riverfront Stage. Phil Vasser set the bar high opening
the show on the Greased Lightening Riverfront Stage with an
energetic performance and each artists that followed delivered more
of the same. We have always said this is one of our favorite venues
at the Music Festival and that has certainly not changed. The
setting outdoors on the banks of the Cumberland River is incredible,
but after a while we needed to get out of the sun and chose to cool
off at the TruTV Exhibit Hall. Inside, we wandered up and down the
rows and caught glimpses of Bucky Covington, Kyle Wyley, Lonestar,
and Chuck Wicks having their picture taken with their fans
and signing autographs. In another booth, we saw James Otto
attempting to master the Guitar Hero video game. We didn’t stick
around to see how he did because we wanted to stop at the Acoustic
Corner to catch Thom Shepard’s performance. When we first sat
down, only half of the seats were filled but by the end of his set,
it was standing room only. Shepard, co-writer of the David Ball
hit "Riding with Private Malone," and the Craig Morgan hit
"Redneck Yacht Club," sang a number of other songs he has written or
co-written. Our favorite was a hilarious song, "Cheaper to Keep
Her."
Another stop on the must do list was supper at the famous
Wildhorse Saloon. It was not only a good meal but a chance to
sit down with the rest of the CSO crew to catch up the days events.
While there we could tell the venue was setting up for an event of
there own but knowing we had other plans we did not inquire further.
When we got on the shuttle to take us to the nightly performance at
the LP Field, we heard that Emerson Drive had just been taken
to the Wildhorse Saloon to perform. At LP Field we watched
performances by Jewel, Kellie Pickler, Jennifer Hanson,
Montgomery Gentry, Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, and Sugarland. The
CMA Music Festival is always having surprises and on this night, it
was an appearance from Rascal Flatts.
If you are thinking that was enough for one day, forget it, well,
maybe for
some of us. Helen and Leah were supposed to meet some friends to
check out the After Hours parties but Fan Fair Fried was starting to
set in and they headed back to the hotel. Meanwhile, Christy,
LaQueta and Jim went to the Ryman Auditorium for The Grand Ole
Opry Trust Fund Benefit. All proceeds benefit the Opry Trust
Fund, which assists members of the country music community in need.
This benefit has also established a place on our must do list. Not
only does it benefit a great cause but it is great show and this
year was no exception. Lorrie Morgan opened the show followed
by Mountain Heart, Neal McCoy, Del McCoury Band, Joe Diffie,
Chris Young and Andy Griggs. And on that note we call it a
night.
Wednesday, 6/4:
Although the festivities
started several days ago,
Wednesday is considered the
official
start of CMA Music
Festival. A few days ago we had staked out the perfect vantage
point to view both the parade and the Chevy stage.
However, when we arrived on the
Rippy’s Smokin’ Bar & Grill rooftop we discovered someone had
already staked out our choice spot.
In true CSO fashion we quickly befriended the two gentlemen (aren't
country music fans simply the best?!). They
generously offered to
share their location
which means we have now extended our network of fan fair friends to
include Mitch and Paul,
from North Carolina. [Hey guys, see ya next year same time, same
place.]
James Otto
was the Grand Marshall for the CMA Kickoff Parade which
traveled down Broadway past thousands of fans lining the streets.
If you were to gauge the
success of this event by all the screams and whistles, it was
evident that many of the artists and other celebrities riding in
those beautiful Chevrolet vehicles
were giving the fans
their first chance to see some of their favorites up close.
LoCash Cowboys, Deborah Allen, Whiskey Falls,
Jason Meadows, Crystal Gayle, Indian Rodeo, The
Roys, Trent Tomlinson, Michael Peterson, the local
FFA,
and many more, were among those who participated.
XM
radio
hosted the event airing a live broadcast of the parade followed by
the CMA Block Party held outside Sommet Center, where
fans could gather in front of the Chevy stage.
Judging by the audience response,
the opening
performance was the perfect
choice
since the very talented and popular
Chris Youngis
most definitely a fan favorite.
His opening song, "Beer and Gasoline", had the fans
literally
dancing in the streets.
A surprise
guest,
Jessica Simpson,
appeared to do a quick interview with XM Radio. Simpson says
that she is enjoying Nashville and country music… without the
paparazzi following her everywhere! Other artists performing
included James Otto, Keith Anderson, Phil Stacey
(American Idol finalist), Luke Bryan, and Zac Brown
Band. When the very
talented and popular
Joe Nichols
took the stage, the show ended
exactly as it began, with a deafening roar from the fans. Nichols
performed some of his own hits and aptly covered others, including a
song not normally heard at a country music festival;
"I Wannna Be a Rock Star".
Queta
and Christy spent the evening at the
Texas Troubadour
Theater attending the fourth annual "Countriest of the
Country" concert, benefiting "Christmas for the Children."
Host
Billy Yates opened the event
that has become a fan favorite of both young and old. Chris Young
followed and kept the audience cheering with his latest single
“Voices”. Yates joined Young on stage during, “Flowers”, a
song penned by Billy Yates and recorded by Young. Other artists who
showed their support for this event
included Sunny
Sweeney, David Kroll, and the Broussard’s.
As the end of the concert neared, and
the fans began forming long autograph lines, we made a mad dash
across the parking lot to the Nashville Palace to attend the
Mark Chesnutt and Tracy Byrd
fan club party. Two Beaumont boys for the price of one; now it
doesn’t get much better than that.
Brianna
spent a good portion of the day at the City of Hope Softball Game
getting some great shots of all the country stars playing ball and
horsing around. Oh yes, and guess who forgot to put on sunscreen?
Just look for the blond lobster in a CSO T-shirt. Jim also went to
the game for a couple of innings but had to leave a bit early to
catch some interviews with two of Big Machine's rising stars,
Sunny Sweeney and Fisher Stevenson which you will get
to hear very soon on CSO and CSO Radio.
Today, day
four, we are looking forward to listening to more, great country
music along the picturesque banks of the Cumberland River at The
Greased Lightening Riverfront Daytime Stages. As the sun begins to
set we will make are way across the river to the Vault concert stage
at LP Field for the stadium show featuring Montgomery Gentry, Jewel,
Sugarland, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift and surprise guests...
Tuesday, 6/3:
We were thinking two must be a
magic number. This is the second year Country Stars Online attended
the WKDF Country Beach Party, it is our second day of coverage and
it is TUESDAY. That magic number changed to 40,000, which is the
amount of money raised by people attending the Beach Party to raise
money for Cystic Fibrosis research. There is not a cure for the
disease that affects the 30,000 Americans living with Cystic
Fibrosis. Daryl Worley hosted the party and was joined onstage by
Rodney Adkins, Mark Chesnutt, Jamey Johnson, and Josh Turner. They
performed in a round robin style much to the delight of the beach
goers. Money continued to be raised by auctioning off a variety of
items such as autographed pictures, hand written song lyrics, a
dance with Jamey Johnson, voicemail messages for their phones from
Josh Turner, and song requests. Within $8000 of their goal, the
event coordinators got even more creative with their auction items.
Two excited fans bought dinner with Daryl Worley and soon they had
raised their goal amount of $40,000. We are always amazed at the
generosity of country music fans.
Leah and Helen also attended
Daniel Lee Martin’s Backstage and Backroads Fan Club party held at
the Belcourt Theatre. Martin’s hunting and fishing show on The
Sportsman Channel has kept him very busy this past year and will
continue to do the same. Martin shared with us that he will be
traveling to choice hunting and fishing locations all over the world
to film the show over 30 weeks out of the upcoming year.
Martin has had some friends appear
on Backstage and Backroads with him, and a couple of them joined him
at the party. Chris Higbee, formerly of the Povertyneck Hillbillies,
has ventured out on his own with The Chris Higbee Project. They are
releasing new music and their single, Break Me Down, is getting
airplay around Higbee’s hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Also on hand
were the LoCash Cowboys, a high energy duo who captured the crowd.
We will be seeing them again Wednesday at the parade, the official
kick off of the CMA Music Fest.
Jim and Brianna attended an event
held at 3rd and Lindsley Tuesday afternoon that, like the energizer
bunny, just kept going and going, but it was great. GAC's Storme
Warrens hosted his Nashville Navy Celebration featuring Jeff Bates,
Wade Hayes, Jace Everett, Jaime Fox, Shannon Mock, Ray Stephenson,
David St. Romain, Shane Thomas, Aly Cutter, Memarie, and drop in
guest James Otto who showed up and signed autographs, took pictures
with fans, and performed his #1 hit "Just Got Started Lovin' You."
Another drop-in guest was Big Machine Records' Danielle Peck; this
is where Jim made a complete dork out of himself! Jim had something
between a senior moment and a fan freak out when he saw her.
Brain-burp might also describe his reaction when he stood right
there in front of her and declared, "You're her!" She laughed, he
got red-faced, and after her performance, Jim got one of "the"
pictures of his professional life. Check out
www.myspace.com/countrystarsonline for some of our personal
shots, including Jim's big stupid grin with Miss Peck and another of
his Nashville favorites, Shannon Mock.
Wednesday we are planning to have
lunch at Rippy’s on Broadway, find a great spot to watch the Kickoff
Parade, and following the parade, there are many artists performing
on the Chevy Stage for the CMA Music Festival Block Party. Some of
us will be attending the other events in the evening, including
concerts, fan club parties, and Marty Stuart’s Light Night Jam at
the historical Ryman Auditorium. The weather is great and the music
is even better!
Monday, 6/2:
Country Music Association Festival
2008…We have arrived and the partying has begun! It is Monday and we
spent the day relaxing, preparing for what was lying ahead. The
clock is ticking and it will start for us full force in just a few
hours. We split and went in different directions, which we have
learned is the only way to even remotely begin to cover the
multitude of events that occur during these few days. Brianna and
Jim ventured off to attend the Global Artists Show downtown at the
Stage, a club on Broadway Street. They had the
chance to hear country artists from other counties. For those of you
who don’t know, Country music is wildly popular in many foreign
countries. Back to last night, Jim returned to CSO Central and
reported enjoying the varied artists. One group that peeked our
interest was a family act from Ireland called The Murphy Band. Jim
explained their sound as a cross between Celtic and traditional
country.
Lets go back to CSO Central; this
is a part of the CMA Music Fest week we have never touched on. In
past years, we have given you a daily wrap up of the parties, the
artist sightings and the concerts. We have not told you about one of
the biggest benefits about this week and that is the camaraderie
that we have built. It is a shame because it is probably the same
for everyone who is here for the week. Some people come with family,
some with friends but they are all here for one reason and that is
the music, but what builds along the way are the memories. Today we
have shared with Jim, our Country Stars Online editor, stories from
the past that we never put up on the website. We are already running
into people we haven’t seen since last year. One of those whom we
have to mention is Sharon Eaves of Fan-Clubhouse. Sharon is amazing.
During the year she runs fan clubs for numerous artists that
culminates in what has to be one of her busiest weeks of the
year…you got it, CMA Music Fest. She is the one behind so many of
the parties that everyone has come to expect as part of this week.
Monday night was one that is very dear to her heart because it not
only starts the week out for many people being able to have their
first up
close with artists but it raises funds for Country Cares for St.
Jude Kids.
Christy, Leah and Helen scurried
off to the 4th Annual Lonestar Strike out for Kids Bowling Event,
where we meet up with LaQueta an extension of the CSO family. For
many artists, this is their favorite charity. As we pulled into the
parking lot of the Hermitage Lanes, we knew the Music Festival had
begun.
Fans were gathered in the parking
lot hoping to get that perfect photo opportunity as their favorite
artist arrived. Inside, they were enjoying a Nashville staple,
pulled pork sandwiches. Then they started to arrive, Chris Young,
Daryl Worley, Ty Herndon, Bryan White, and JoDee Messina. With huge
smiles on their faces they gladly posed with their fans for photos,
signed autographs and took the time to chat. More arrived, Bo Bice,
Trent Tomlinson, Little Big Town, Jamie O’Neal, Josh Gracin, Diana
DeGarmo. We are sure you
are thinking, this sounds like an incredible event, so many artists
here to bowl with their fans. But there were more, The Roys, Jimmy
Wayne, Danielle Peck, Buddy Jewel, Jeff Bates, Chuck Wicks., and
Trace Adkins. Oh, and did we forget to mention the guys who are the
hosting the event – Cody Collins, Michael Britt, Keech Rainwater,
and Dean Sams of Lonestar. Fans were chosen to join the artists
bowling. Gutter balls, strikes, it didn’t matter, everyone was
having a blast. A silent auction was also being held to raise
additional money offering such items as autographed shirts, bowling
balls, pins and numerous cans of Red Bull. As we watched all of the
fun and excitement, it was obvious the CMA Fest had begun!
So, what does Tuesday have to
offer? We have sorted through all of the opportunities available
today and are getting ready for another great evening in Music City.
We will start out the night attending the WKDF Country Beach Party
to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis. Helen and Leah will also head
over to a fan club party, one of our favorites, Daniel Lee Martin
who is not only known for his country music but also for his show on
The Sportsman Channel, Backstage and Backroads.
We can’t end the day without
mentioning one other person, Cheryl Harvey Hill. Cheryl has not
always attended the CMA Music Festival in person but she has always
worked many hours editing our writings and working along with Jim
Weaver to bring you our annual ‘blog’ of this week. The last couple
months have been very hard for Cheryl, medically, but she is doing
great and that is evident for us with our last minute instructions
from her. Cheryl, we love you and think of you often and yes, we are
trying to cover as many events as humanly
possible, we are keeping our fingers out from in front of the
cameral lens and we are being nice to the newbie, Brianna. Now, we
have to sign off so we can untie her and let her eat some food.
