An Inside Look at CMAfest : Day 4

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 4- Thursday
We started the day off with a quick trip to see the Golden Voice Show, in Williamson County at the Agriculture Expo Center and our counterparts were checking out the Riverfront Park Concerts and more. We would also hit a few more events before our day would be done.

• Golden Voice Show
  All of the proceeds from the Golden Voice Show go the Performers Benefit Fund. The line-up consisted of one of the biggest gathering of Opry members I've ever seen assembled and truly awesome to see one star after another being introduced by Eddie Stubbs.The list of performers included: Razzy Bailey, Jim Ed and the Browns,Johnny Carver, John Conlee,Helen Cornelius, Skeeter Davis, Little Jimmy Dickens,David Frizell, Freddie Hart, Ricky Headly, George Hamilton IV, George Hamilton V, Stonewall Jackson, Sonny James, George Jones, Brenda Lee, Hank Locklin, Charlie McCoy, Ronnie Milsap, Jimmy Newman, The O'Brien Singers, Stu Phillips, Jeanne Pruett, Jeannie Seely, Jean Sheppard, T.G. Sheppard, Margo Smith, Billy Swan, Leroy Van Dyke, Rhonda Vincent, Jett Williams, and The Opry Staff Band
  
  
• Chris Young Fan Club Party
  Chris Young's Fan Club Party was held at Two doors Down, in Music Row but this venue will change annually. I've seen Chris perform several times so I had no doubt that he would mesmerize the crowd with his incredible baritone voice. Many of the fan club parties go on for hours and are a great way to meet with the artist and other fan club members.
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• Kicktone's Kickin Country Tailgate Party
  Kicktone's Kickin Country Tailgate Party offered an awesome line-up of local artists and better yet it was "Free" for anyone who wanted to sit back and listen to good music. You can stumble into these types of events every year it you keep your eyes open.
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There are several annual events and daily activities that normally take place on the Thursday, the official opening of the CMA Country Music Festival including:

Thursday's CMAfest Annual Events:

• Opry Trust Fund Benefit
  Normally held at the Ryman Auditorium, this annual event, formally known as the Superstar Spectacular where proceeds go to help give financial assistance in time of need to people who were or are actively engaged in country music.
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• Steve Azar St. Cecelia Foundation Benefit & Jam
  Steve Azar St. Cecelia Foundation Benefit & Jam is in it's early beginnings and the proceeds benefit the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation that provides aid to disadvantaged, sick and abused children.
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Daily CMAfest Sponsored Activities:

• Thursday Daytime Riverfront Concerts
  The Riverfront Concerts start on Thursday and go on thru Sunday afternoon and provide hours and hours of some of the best music around. The day-long concerts take place in Riverfront Park located on 1st Avenue and Broadway. As a reminder to those who do not have weeklong tickets (passes) to CMAfest, they do sell individual daily passes to this CMAfest event every day.
  
• Thursday Night's Coliseum Show
  Our night had just begun so off to we went to catch the first of the Nightly Concerts at the Coliseum which opens up with the National Anthem and the crowd went wild with cheers, as they were also welcomed with a fly by formation of F/A Hornets. There are two stages set up every night and the artist performance would rotate from one stage to the other which shortens the wait time between artists tremendously. Everyone loves the Photo Line, which runs right in front of the stages. During the nightly show there are plenty of drink vendors walking around selling their goods, so no one would have to miss any part of the show.Every evening a grand display of fireworks closed the show and this indicated that it was time for the After Hours Parties to begin in the Downtown District.
  
• Sports Zone
  The Sports Zone offers, of course, everything related to sports within its boundaries that includes: NASCAR, BASS, Baseball, Football and more. It's located right across from the Hall of Fame Park.
  
• Family Zone
  The Crisco Family Zone, located in the Hall of Fame Park, is just one of the areas that CMA Festival has set up so anyone can take their children and have a fun day out.
  
• Fun Zone
  The Fun Zone at the CMA Festival is located at 1st Avenue and Broadway, right by the Riverfront Park entrance and features some of the CMAfest Sponsors.Sponsors here will change from year to year but you always will have fun in the Fun Zone.
  
• Acoustic Corner
  The Acoustic Corner, located in Exhibit Hall (Convention Center) is a definite must see when attending the CMAfest and a great place to visit, see, and hear new up and coming country artists in a relaxing setting.
  
• Exhibit Hall
  Over the years the Exhibit Hall has always been country music fans favorite activities during Fanfair week with every year hundreds of artists are seen and signing autographs.

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