Free music and entertainment are hallmarks of CMA Music Festival and the 2014 Fest is shaping up to present a lineup that is destined to please fans and create numerous opportunities for music discovery during the Festival, happening Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8, in downtown Nashville.
“The fans tell us they want music and we have plenty of options for them this year with multiple free stages, and a full lineup of artists from industry hitmakers to singers on the verge of making it big,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.
Tickets for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field sold out a record-setting 15 weeks in advance of the 2014 Festival, but fans will still have innumerable opportunities to watch Country Music’s best and brightest perform at CMA Music Festival. The performance lineup for the previously announced Chevrolet Riverfront Stage is available at CMAfest.com, but that schedule merely scratches the surface of what fans can experience throughout the four-day event.
Downtown Nashville will be full of unique fan experiences, including free outdoor areas offering everything from product demonstrations to giveaways and more. All outdoor spaces are free and open to the public.
Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza
With more than 40 artists confirmed, the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza will be rockin’ with an eclectic mix of back-to-back free concerts from 10:30 AM-5:00 PM/CT each day (artists and schedule subject to change).
“The location of the Bud Light Stage is perfectly situated to provide a place to discover new talent and reconnect with well-known stars,” said Trahern. “This stage was one of the Festival’s most popular destinations in 2013 and I’m expecting the same level of enthusiasm and attendance again this year.”
Artists performing on the Bud Light Stage at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza include: Lauren Alaina, Keith Anderson, Katie Armiger, Kelleigh Bannen, Jeff Bates, Big Smo, BlackHawk, Brothers Osborne, Mark Collie, Bucky Covington, Joel Crouse, Sarah Darling, Clare Dunn, Morgan Frazier, JT Hodges, Will Hoge, Home Free, Sam Hunt, Chris Janson, Joshua Scott Jones, Krystal Keith, Meghan Linsey, Robin Meade, Granger Smith, Jamie Lynn Spears, Chris Stapleton, Striking Matches, Sundy Best, The Henningsens, Leah Turner, Trick Pony, Aaron Watson, Austin Webb, Drake White, Chuck Wicks, and Holly Williams.
With numerous stages and many free lifestyle exhibits to explore throughout the Festival footprint in Nashville, CMA Music Festival is a great, family-friendly entertainment value. The concerts at the Bud Light Stage are fun in the sun and within easy walking distance of all the Festival event sites, including the AT&T® U-verse® Fan Fair X with autograph signings, concerts, lifestyle exhibits, marketplace, live broadcasts, demonstrations, and more in the state-of-the-art Music City Center.
Walk of Fame Park featuring the Samsung Galaxy Stage
New in 2014, Samsung Galaxy presents the Samsung Galaxy Stage in Walk of Fame Park, where fans can experience great music and activities.
Artists participating in the daily concerts include (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change): Robby Armstrong, Rob Baird, Ty Bates, Dakota Bradley, David Bradley, Laura Bell Bundy, Cam, Brandon Chase, Cowboy Troy and DJ Sinister, Heath Haynes & the High Dollars, Sam Hollyman, Joey Hyde, Jukebox Mafia, John Karl, Ryan Kinder, John King, Jenny Leigh, Cheryl LuQuire, Rachele Lynae, Brian Milson, Danielle Peck, Pierce Avenue, Stephanie Quayle, Raven Cliff, Julie Roberts, Gwen Sebastian, Canaan Smith, Phoenix Stone, The Brothers Road, The Nelsons, The Railers, The Stickers, Chad Warrix, Ryan Weaver, Jesse Keith Whitley, and Zane Williams.
Walk of Fame Park is located on Demonbreun between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. The park is free and open to the public from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7 and from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, June 8.
The Buckle
Covering three bustling blocks of Broadway, legions of dedicated fans know that The Buckle is where the excitement and thrills of CMA Music Festival come together. The Buckle Stage will host a variety of free performances and activities beginning with concerts presented by ASCAP on Thursday, June 5 and Sunday, June 8 from 11:00 AM–4:30 PM.
ASCAP songwriter artists include (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change): Carlton Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Bonner Black, Misty Rae Carson, Karli Chayne, Steven Clawson, Courtney Cole, Hannah Dasher, Jacob Davis, GirlBilly, Ryan Griffin, Curtis Grimes, Adam Hambrick, Brett Kissell, Ryan Lafferty, Brandon Lay, Josh London, Daisy Mallory, Michaelis, Oklahoma, Carly Pearce, David Ray, Jameson Rodgers, Smithfield, Walker County, and Hailey Whitters.
On Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, the ABC Television Network returns to the CMA Music Festival with the ABC Summer Block Party with special appearances by ABC fan favorites, musical performances, games, photos, free giveaways, and much more!
The Buckle is located on Broadway from First to Fourth Avenues. The area is open to the public from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7 and from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, June 8.
Fan Alley
If CMA Music Festival is the Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience, then Fan Alley is where that experience gets cranked up to the maximum level!
Tucked into the area in front of the magical Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Fan Alley welcomes its namesake (the fans!) into a warm community where memories will be shared and friendships made.
The Chevrolet Roadhouse Stage in Fan Alley features concerts with Country Music’s best rising talent from Noon–3:00 PM each day.
Performers (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change) include: Ballie and the Boys, Brinn Black, Cast of “Crazy Hearts Nashville,” Cerrito, Jaida Dreyer, Jordan Grassi, Marty Haggard, Lyndsey Highlander, Rachel Holder, Levi Hummon, Angie Johnson, Stevens Layne, Matt Mason, Walker McGuire, Randy Montana, Music City Doughboys, Aaron Parker, Jacob Powell, Brent Rupard, Lizzie Sider, The Danberrys, Keni Thomas, and Whiskey Rose.
Fan Alley is located in front of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Fourth Avenue South. The area is open from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7 and from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, June 8.
BMI Tailgate Party
Returning to the CMA Music Festival for the third time is the BMI Tailgate Party. Located right off the Cumberland River outside LP Field, the stage will feature a strong selection of BMI’s songwriters and artists warming up the audience before they enter LP Field for the Nightly Concerts beginning at 4:30 PM.
Performers (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change) include: A Thousand Horses, Blackjack Billy, Chase Bryant, Adam Craig, DJ Du, Brett Eldredge, David Fanning, Sara Haze, Chris Lane, Natalie Stovall and The Drive, Michael Ray, Josh Thompson, and Whiskey Jam.
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, bringing 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. More than 40 years later, the now legendary Festival has become the city’s signature music event. In 2014, CMA Music Festival will host visitors from every state and 21 foreign countries.
For all the latest info on CMA Music Festival visit CMAfest.com. To stay connected with CMA visit Facebook.com/CMA, Twitter.com/CountryMusic, and Instagram.com/CMA or text FESTIVAL to 66937.
Love it all but where is SaraBeth Swaggerty? Love her too!!!