An Inside Look at CMAfest : Day 2

The CMA Country Music Festival, formally know as Fanfair, or more simply CMAfest. This Annual Nashville Event is sponsored each year by the Country Music Association. We found that this four day country music party unofficially runs close to a week long and so we began our coverage on the Monday before the official opening of the CMAfest and finished over a week later on the following Tuesday. The week's events will normally start out at a good slow pace and built into a frenzy as the week goes along and then slowed back down to a great closing for all.

Day 2-Tuesday
Today our plans got changed a bit and if you've been to CMAfest, you know that it's bound to happen at least once every year. Anyhow, we had planned on stopping in at Exit/In to enjoy the great line-up that Billy's Blocks Western Beat had scheduled this week, which included Mark Fosson, Lisa O'Kane, Kevin Montgomery, King Wilkie, and BR549. But when we received an unexpected invite to the IFCO Show(with back stage passes)so we immediately changed our plans. Not to mention we also we going to Chely Wright's R W & R down at the Wildhorse Saloon too.
The two main events that normally take place on the Tuesday night before the official opening of the CMA Country Music Festival tonight include:

• IFCO Funfest(canceled for 2009)
  The IFCO Show, which began a few years before Fanfair, is close to 40 years old and never fails to provide one of the best intimate line-ups of Country Music Stars in town. Robert K Oermann or some one similar will normally host the show and the show is normally held at the Historic Ryman Auditorium and features a ton of great artists, that varies from year to year, but include the likes of Deborah Allen, Tracy Byrd, Cowboy Crush, Andy Griggs, Craig Morgan, Rushlow, Josh Turner, and Mark Wills. The IFCO Co-presidents and founders, Loretta, Kay and Loudilla Johnson can be seen watching the entire show from their on stage seating. The Johnson Sisters have selflessly devoted their entire lives to Country Music Fans throughout the world.
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• Chely Wright's R W & R Benefit
  Reading, Writing, and Rhythm Benefit Concert and Live Auction is normally held at the Wildhorse Saloon on the Tuesday Night before CMAfest with All proceeds go to the Reading, Writing, and Rhythm Foundation.
  Review Photos

CMAfest Highlights By Day

• CMAfest Day 1: Global Artist & Party Lonestar Bowling Party
• CMAfest Day 2: Reading, Writing & Rhythm & IFCO Funfest
• CMAfest Day 3: Kick-Off Parade, Celebrity Softball Game, Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam
• CMAfest Day 4: Official CMAfest Activities Begin, Opry & Steve Azar Benefit
• CMAfest Day 5: CMA Close-up, Andy Griggs Archery & Jason Aldean Benefits
• CMAfest Day 6: CMA Close-up, Martina McBride Celebrity Auction & Leadership Music Yard Sale
• CMAfest Day 7: Sunday Mornin' Country Show & Peterson's Celebrity Tractor Race