CMA Music Festival
NASHVILLE – Celebrating its 38th year, CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday June 11 through Sunday June 14, in Downtown Nashville. Over four jam-packed days, Nashville’s signature music event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more.
The event (which started as Fan Fair in 1972) has been an unparalleled celebration of America’s music, drawing thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. CMA Music Festival was dubbed the “crown jewel of Country Music Festivals” by USA Today and winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s 2004, 2006, and 2008 LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year.
Performer additions to the artist lineup for 2009 CMA Music Festival are:
* Former CMA Horizon Award winner Dierks Bentley, who last performed at the Festival in 2007.
* Superstars Brooks & Dunn, who have won 19 CMA Awards, including CMA Entertainer of the Year and an unprecedented 14 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Awards. Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn last performed at the Festival in 2007.
* Fan favorites and former CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Award winners Montgomery Gentry, who return again this year.
* Reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley, who has received a total of 11 CMA Awards thus far in his career. Paisley last performed at the Festival in 2007.
* Singer, songwriter, entertainer, and host of CMT’s “Gone Country” television series John Rich, who last performed at the Festival in 2007 as part of Big & Rich.
Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Paisley, and Rich will all perform on the main stage during the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT™ Concert Stage at LP Field, along with previously announced performers Trace Adkins, Julianne Hough, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
“It is a pleasure to host such great entertainers at CMA Music Festival,” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We know our attendees are going to love these performances.”
The excitement continues to build for 2009 CMA Music Festival as Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, and Taylor Swift are added to the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT™ Concert Stage at LP Field.
"We are delighted to add four of Country Music’s brightest stars to our incredible talent lineup," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "Youthful and electrifying, this group of artists bring a new level of energy and excitement to the event that cannot be beat."
Former CMA Horizon Award winner and co-host of the 2008 CMA Music Festival television special, Taylor Swift is a triple threat. The talented singer/songwriter can now add acting to her resume after appearing on an episode of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." In addition, Swift was the biggest selling artist of 2008 in any genre of music, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Swift’s career record sales now top seven million.
Two-time CMA Award nominee Jason Aldean has sold more than two million albums and is a Music Festival favorite with his high-octane performances. His third album, Wide Open will be available April 7, while the lead single, "She’s Country" is currently in the Top 10.
Another two-time CMA Award nominee, Rodney Atkins had an astonishing four No. 1 hits from his Platinum selling 2006 album, If You Are Going Through Hell. His current single, "It’s America," is a Top 10 hit and his album of the same name will be available Tuesday.
A CMA Award winning songwriter in 2007, Jamey Johnson exploded on the scene as an artist in 2008 with his hit "In Color" from his critically acclaimed album That Lonesome Sound. Johnson has also had songs recorded by Trace Adkins, George Jones, and George Strait.
After debuting with a Top 10 single, Jake Owen’s sophomore album, Easy Does It, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Sales Chart. This will be his first "full band" performance on the VAULT™ Concert stage at LP Field as he performed an acoustic set in 2008.
