All eyes are on Nashville as this is country music’s biggest week of the year. Fans from all over the world will visit Nashville. As locals, you may not know about CMA Fest or even what it has to offer. We’ve put together a list of must-sees and events for the week.
1. UMG 360 Dome Project
Corner of 8th Ave. S and McGavock St.
As part of the 2017 CMA Music Festival, Universal Music Group Nashville announced a Music Is Universal event taking place from June 7-11 in downtown Nashville. The Budweiser Dome presented by Rated Red will feature live music and will debut 360◦ concert films from superstars Eric Church, Gary Allan, Kip Moore, Lady Antebellum and more set against an immersive 360◦ video projection across a 70-foot ceiling. Live performances produced by the Emmy-winning online music series “Skyville Live” kicked off Wednesday with a post-CMT Awards concert by Gary Allan; “Throwback Thursday” featuring Bellamy Brothers, Deana Carter, Mark Collie, The Kentucky Headhunters and Shenandoah; plus a surprise concert by a multi-Grammy Award-winning super group on Friday. Weekend performances include Lauren Alaina, Clare Dunn, Maddie & Tae, Eric Paslay, Canaan Smith and more. In addition to her live performance on Saturday night, Lauren Alaina will premiere her brand new movie Road Less Traveled. All events will take place in an air-conditioned venue and are free and open to the public.
The completed structure will stand 26 feet tall and feature a 70-foot ceiling for 360◦ video projection. See the schedule on the website – www.BudweiserDome.com.
2. City of Hope Celebrity Softball
The City of Hope Celebrity Softball game takes place on Saturday, June 10 at the First Tennessee Park.
Reba McEntire will sing the National Anthem before iHeart Media and Sirius XM/Grand Ole Opry teams compete during the fan-favorite event during CMA Fest.
Artists participating in the game are: Billy Ray Cyrus, Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Bobby Bones with Lunchbox, Eddie, and Ray of the Bobby Bones Show, Sara Evans, Jessie James Decker and her husband and NFL player, Eric Decker, Lauren Alaina, Drew Scott of HGTV’s “Property Brothers,” Cowboy Troy, The Swon Brothers, Danielle Bradbery, Aaron Watson, Jackie Lee, Trent Harmon, Maggie Rose, Miss Tennessee, Allee-Sutton Hethcoat, Kaitlyn Bristowe and Shawn Booth of ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” Todd Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley, and Chase Chrisley of USA’s “Chrisley Knows Best.”
For the first time, City of Hope will involve legendary artists as play-by-play announcers. Opry announcer and 650 AM morning personality Bill Cody will emcee the event. Cody will be joined by artists Brenda Lee, Lee Greenwood, Jeannie Seely and Tim Rushlow.
Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
3. Visit the Ryman Auditorium
Two of the most profound musical innovators in country and bluegrass music will forever remain part of the Soul of Nashville with the installation of life-size statues of Little Jimmy Dickens and Bill Monroe at the historic Ryman Auditorium were placed this week.
The Ryman, which is recognized as the Soul of Nashville, was founded as a beacon of hope for the faithful; it has become an international symbol of cultural significance drawing millions of people to Nashville to find their own inspiration in the wood pews under the famed stained-glass windowpanes.
The bronze likenesses were commissioned by the Ryman Auditorium in recognition of the 125th Anniversary. Sculpted by artist Ben Watts, the life-size statues took one year to create. Little Jimmy Dickens’ statue is adjacent to the landmark statue of riverboat captain Thomas G. Ryman on Fourth Avenue. The replica of the Father of Bluegrass Music Bill Monroe is located near the Fifth Avenue driveway.
The Ryman became the home of the Grand Ole Opry in 1943, and the world of broadcast entertainment changed forever as the live radio and TV show brought the likes of Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Minnie Pearl, Elvis Presley, Marty Robbins, and Hank Williams to the stage and into living rooms around the country. The program’s 31-year Ryman ignited the growth of country music.
Dickens was born James Cecil Dickins, but was world famous as “Little Jimmy.” He was known for his humorous novelty songs, his small size (4’11”), and flashy wardrobe, but his contributions to country music were far greater than his diminutive stature. He started as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1948 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983.
Little Jimmy Dickens was a beloved fixture at the Opry, on stage and backstage. He passed away on Jan. 2, 2015. Before his death, he was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Dickens recorded many novelty songs including “Country Boy,” “A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed,” “I’m Little but I’m Loud,” and his biggest hit, the No. 1 “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.” His song “Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)” inspired Hank Williams to nickname him Tater.
The Father of Bluegrass was a gifted player, singer, and songwriter. The genre takes its name from his band, the Blue Grass Boys, named for Monroe’s home state of Kentucky. Monroe’s performing career spanned 69 years before he died on Sept. 9, 1996 – just shy of his 85th birthday.
Monroe formed the first edition of the Blue Grass Boys in Atlanta, Ga. The band eventually featured more than 150 performers including Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt. In October 1939, Monroe successfully auditioned for a regular spot on the Grand Ole Opry impressing Opry founder George D. Hay with his energetic stage performance – he soon started recording and developing what would eventually become his signature style with fast tempos, instrumental virtuosity, and musical innovation. His recordings have become classics including “Blue Grass Breakdown,” “My Rose of Old Kentucky,” and Monroe’s most famous composition, “Blue Moon of Kentucky.”
Monroe, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970, remained a mainstay at the Opry. There he settled into a role as a musical patriarch influencing generations of young musicians including Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, and the Oak Ridge Boys.
With a $14 million renovation in 2015, the Ryman is widely considered one of the finest performance venues in the world hosting performers from all genres of music. Today, the Ryman draws artists from all corners of the globe eager to experience the thrill of walking to the front of the stage to perform.
4. TSA Precheck Enrollment
125 4th Ave S, Nashville
So this might be unusual but you could save yourself a trip to the airport. IdentoGO®, the provider of TSA Pre✓®, is bringing its mobile RV to Nashville and CMA Music Festival, to enroll attendees and local residents in TSA Pre✓®, June 8-11. The TSA Pre✓® RV will be located on 4th Avenue South across from the Hilton Hotel and open to the public from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m Thursday-Saturday and 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
TSA Pre✓® keeps travelers moving quickly through airport security by eliminating the need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts, laptops and compliant liquids during the airport screening process. To enroll, present a government-issued photo ID with proof of U.S. citizenship (i.e. a passport or birth certificate) and complete a 10-minute fingerprinting process. Once approved, enrollees will receive a KTN (Known Traveler Number) and gain access to dedicated TSA Pre✓® expedited airport security lines for five years at a cost of $85 ($17 per year).
For a full list of acceptable documentation for enrollment click here. Festival attendees and residents are welcome to walk-up or schedule an appointment in advance here.
5. MuttNation March on Thursday, June 8 – 8:30
Start your Thursday morning off with a brisk walk with Miranda Lambert. Join Miranda’s MuttNation March to raise awareness about shelter pet adoption. The march will start at Nissan Stadium, continue across the Nashville pedestrian bridge and end in downtown. To join in on the march, you had to pre-register which is now closed but you can still watch it then visit the MuttNation adoption center inside Fan-Fair X at the Music City Center.
6. Budweiser FastBar Wristband
Newly added this year, you can pay for drinks without having to use cash our take your credit card out of your wallet.
When you arrive at CMA Fest, visit one of the five registration stations located at Chevrolet Walk of Fame Park, Chevrolet Riverfront Park, SoBro, Budweiser Dome and Music City Center you get a wristband that’s linked to your credit card. At the bars, you pay by tapping your wristband on a Point of Sale reader. With each purchase, you receive a receipt. At the end of CMA Fest they automatically close you out with the credit card on file and send you a final email receipt.
7. Free Music on 7 Stages
You can listen to free music from morning to night in downtown Nashville. There are seven stages with artists performing around the clock. We’ve listed the stages and linked to the lineups.
CHEVROLET RIVERFRONT STAGE
The Chevrolet Riverfront Stage is the epicenter of daytime music with must-see lineups featuring the newest faces of Country Music and the legends you know and love. Located on the Cumberland River bank, the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage is completely FREE! Four-day CMA Fest pass holders get early access at 9AM. Check out the full lineup.
CHEVROLET PARK STAGE
Located in Walk of Fame Park across from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, the Chevrolet Park Stage is home for more free music! This packed lineup features a variety of new artists with performances beginning every day at 10:30AM. Check out the full lineup.
BUDWEISER FOREVER COUNTRY PARK STAGE
NEW this year to the CMA Music Festival is the highly-anticipated Budweiser Forever Country Park Stage located in the park area behind Ascend Amphitheater. The stage opens each morning at 11AM and features a lineup full of some of the biggest names in Country Music from the ‘80s, ‘90s and ‘00s. Check out the full lineup.
GILDAN BROADWAY STAGE AT HARD ROCK CAFE
A top destination to discover new artists, the Gildan Broadway Stage can be found in the parking lot of Hard Rock Café. Stop by to hear new music and maybe even find your new favorite artist! View the full lineup.
MUSIC CITY STAGE
Need to cool down and take a break from the sun? Visit the Music City Stage beginning at 11AM inside the Nashville Visitor Center inside Bridgestone Arena. This stage showcases artists ranging from new talent to emerging songwriter-artists boasting publishing or record deals and recent tours with major label acts. Check out the full lineup.
HGTV LODGE
HGTV returns this year with its 3,500 sq. ft. structure located in Fan Alley. The HGTV Lodge will include exclusive musical performances and meet and greets with their usual star-studded lineup.
CRACKER BARREL COUNTRY ROADS STAGE
The free activities don’t end when the sun goes down! NEW this year, the CMA Music Festival now offers nighttime music experiences for fans without a 4-day CMA Fest pass to the Stadium concerts. Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage is FREE to the public and will hold nightly performances Thursday – Saturday at Ascend Amphitheater. Doors open to Nash Pass ticket holders at 5PM and to the public at 6PM. These themed concerts will start each night at 7PM. See the full lineup.
Thursday – NASH Icon Night
Friday – Ladies of Country, hosted by WKRN, ABC’s Channel 2 Nashville
Saturday – SiriusXM The Highway presents Warner Sound
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