CleveRock’s Chad Carlson is live in Nashville covering the 42 annual CMA Music Festival! Stay tuned for daily updates this week and into the weekend!
The 2013 CMA Music Festival kicks off on Thursday morning, but the events on the days leading up to the festival have been giving early-arriving out-of-town fans plenty to do and see this week. From Carrie Underwood and Gary Allan to events at the Country Music Hall Of Fame, Tuesday was the busiest non-official festival day of the week.
Craig Campbell has enjoyed an incredible year with an extensive nationwide tour, as well as chart success with each single he’s released to radio. Just as has been the case all year, Craig has a busy week planned here in Nashville, beginning with The Craig Campbell Cornhole Challenge. The five-hour event was held in the Public Square downtown, featuring live music, local food and drinks, and appearances by country music stars. Yesterday’s participants included Campbell, Chase Rice, THE FARM, Gloriana, Greg Bates, Jerrod Niemann, LoCash Cowboys, Love and Theft, Rachel Bradshaw, Whitney Duncan, Baylou, and more.
The Celebrity Go-Go Challenge was also held yesterday afternoon, benefitting Hear The Music Live. Held at Grand Old Golf & Games, the event included the likes of Ashton Shepherd, Beth Cayhall, Bo Bice, Bucky Covington, and Lucas Hoge, among many others. Other events included “Pickin’ for Prevention” with Randy Owen and Friends at the Wildhorse Saloon, as well as The Aristo Global Show at The Second Fiddle.
The Country Weekly Kick-Off Party was held at the Hard Rock Café benefitting Musicians On Call, featuring performances by Easton Corbin, Dustin Lynch, Greg Bates, and Chris Janson. Meanwhile, Craig Wiseman’s Stars for Second Harvest featured sets from Craig himself, as well as Florida Georgia Line and Ralphie May.
As is always the case during CMA Fest week, fan club parties are one of the hottest tickets in town, giving fans the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite country stars. Carrie Underwood’s fan club party was held at the Country Music Hall of Fame, while Thompson Square hosted an autograph signing of their book, Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not. Darryl Worley’s fan club party at 3rd & Lindsley included a performance, Meet & Greet, autographs, food and drinks, as did Chris Young’s gala, which also featured a t-shirt and a ticket to a show at the studio where Chris recorded his albums.
Gary Allan’s fan club party was held on the General Jackson Showboat on Tuesday evening, while Lee Brice and Tyler Farr treated fans to some music outside the Grand Ole Opry.
Tuesday was an event-filled day in and around Nashville, with thousands of fans continuing to pack nearby hotels leading up to the busiest week in country music.
