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Entertainment

Full Event Schedule

We will be adding more to the schedule soon as the festival activitites and events are confirmed. Be the first to know by signing up for our CMA Exclusive Newsletter.

  • Monday, June 2, 2008
    • The Stage on Broadway
      • 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
        5th Annual CMA Global Artist Party
        The unofficial kick off to the CMA Music Festival, is back for the fifth consecutive year. See the best in Country Music entertainment from around the world. FREE admission with preferential access for CMA Music Festival four-day ticket holders.
  • Wednesday, June 4, 2008
    • Sommet Center
    • Ryman Auditorium
      • 10:00 PM
        Marty Stuart's 7th Annual Late Night Jam
        features Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives (Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, Brian Glenn), Charlie Daniels Band, John Rich & Friends, Kathy Mattea, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sunny Sweeney, The SteelDrivers, Mike Farris, and Gretchen Wilson! This concert benefits MusiCares, the philanthropic arm of The Recording Academy. To order tickets call (615) 255-9600 or go online www.ticketmaster.com
        This event requires a separate ticket
  • Thursday, June 5, 2008
    • Sommet Center
      • 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
        Information Booth Open
      • 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
        Registration Open
      • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        Chevy™ Plaza
        Free and open to the public.
    • Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park
    • VAULT™ Concert Stages at LP Field
    • truTv™ Fan Fair® Hall
      • 8:30 AM
        Commerce Street doors open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
        Information Booth Open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
        Exhibit Hall Open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
        Mary Kay® presents Acoustic Corner
        inside the Nashville Convention Center (Room 209) Rhonda Towns.
    • McDonalds® - Dr Pepper® Family Zone
      • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        Open
        (Located in front of the Hilton Hotel.) Food sampling and fun giveaways. An information booth will be located in this area.
      • 11:00 AM
        Music City Rising Star Youth Vocal Competition
        (Located in front of Hilton Hotel.) For an application and/or for more information about this opportunity please contact MUSIC FESTIVALS at 1-800-545-0935 ext.150
      • 11:00 AM - 4:15 PM
        Main Stage
        Includes a Ronald McDonald and Strawberry Shortcake Show, and the Nashville Zoo.
      • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
        Carl Black Chevy Booth Artist Signings
        Come and get an autograph from some of your favorite Country artists. Big D & Bubba, Crossin Dixon and Emily West.
    • Fun Zone
      • 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
        Open
        Located on Broadway between 1st and 3rd Avenues. Free to the public.
      • 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
        NASCAR Autograph Signing
        Bobby Labonte signing autographs in the Super 8 booth.
    • Chevy™ Sports Zone
      • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        Open
        (5th Avenue and Demonbreun) Free to the public. An information booth will be located in this area.
      • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
        K9s In Flight presented by Waggin' Train
      • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
        FLW Pro Fishing Autograph Signings
        (In the FLW booth)Luke Clausen
      • 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
        Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge
        Artists participating include Rhean Boyer of Carolina Rain, Kevin Fowler, Greg Hanna, Daniel Lee Martin, Jeremy McComb, Rusty Tabor, Bryan White, and Mark Wills.
      • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
      • 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
        K9s In Flight presented by Waggin' Train
      • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
        NASCAR Autograph Signings
        (Inside the Chevy booth) Scott Wimmer No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet; Richard Childress Racing, Brad Keselowski No. 88 NAVY Chevrolet; JR Motorsports, Jason Keller No. 11 America's Incredible Pizza Chevrolet; CJM Racing, David Stremme No. 64 Atreus Homes & Communities Chevrolet; Rusty Wallace Racing
      • 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
      • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
        FLW Pro Fishing Autograph Signings
        (In the FLW booth)Luke Clausen
      • 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
        K9s In Flight presented by Waggin' Train
    • Hard Rock Cafe
      • 11:30 AM - 1:50 PM
        Daytime Outdoor Stage
      • 11:00 PM
        Outdoor Stage
      • 11:00 PM
        CMA Songwriter Series
        Jessi Alexander, Dave Berg, Luke Laird, and Jon Randall trading stories and playing songs. Tickets are $15 and are available through Ticketalternative.com to buy online; or charge-by-phone at (877) 725-8849.
        This event requires a separate ticket
    • Downtown Nashville
      • 11:00 PM
        CMA Music Festival After Hours™ presented by CMT™
        late night music and specials at participating Downtown clubs
    • Ryman Auditorium
      • 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
        CMA Celebrity Close Up presented by GAC
        The session will spotlight (in order) artists Gretchen Wilson, Randy Travis and Taylor Swift in separate segments as they share their unique perspectives on their careers, discuss their lives and give a sneak peek into the future. Hosted by Lorianne Crook. Tickets are $12 in advance or $17 day of the event. You can purchase through Ticketmaster, or by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST, or directly through the Ryman Box Office. Taylor Swift, and Gretchen Wilson.
        This event requires a separate ticket
      • 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
        CMA Celebrity Close Up presented by GAC
        The session will spotlight (in order) artists Sara Evans, Joe Nichols, Bucky Covington, and Jake Owen in separate segments as they share their unique perspectives on their careers, discuss their lives and give a sneak peek into the future. Hosted by Lorianne Crook. Tickets are $12 in advance or $17 day of the event. You can purchase through Ticketmaster, or by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST, or directly through the Ryman Box Office.
        This event requires a separate ticket
  • Friday, June 6, 2008
    • Sommet Center
    • Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park
    • VAULT™ Concert Stages at LP Field
    • truTv™ Fan Fair® Hall
      • 8:30 AM
        Commerce Street doors open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
        Information Booth Open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
        Exhibit Hall Open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
        Mary Kay® presents Acoustic Corner
        inside the Nashville Convention Center (Room 209) Rachel Williams, and TelluRide.
    • McDonalds® - Dr Pepper® Family Zone
      • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        Open
        (Located behind the Hilton Hotel.) Food sampling and fun giveaways. An information booth will be located in this area.
      • 11:00 AM
        Music City Rising Star Youth Vocal Competition
        (Located behind the Hilton Hotel.) For an application and/or for more information about this opportunity please contact MUSIC FESTIVALS at 1-800-545-0935 ext.150
      • 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
        Main Stage
        Taylor Ware.
      • 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
        Carl Black Chevy Booth Artist Signings
        Come and get an autograph from some of your favorite Country artists. Adam Gregory, David St Romaine and Ashton Shepherd.
    • Fun Zone
      • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
        Open
        Located on Broadway between 1st and 3rd Avenues. Free to the public.
    • Chevy™ Sports Zone
      • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        Open
        (5th Avenue and Demonbreun) Free to the public. An information booth will be located in this area.
      • 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
        Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge
        Local Qualifier sign in and competitions
      • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
        Celebrity Sports Challenge presented by Glaceau Vitaminwater®, hosted by Steve Azar
      • 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
      • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
        FLW Pro Fishing Autograph Signings
        (In the FLW booth)Luke Clausen and Larry Nixon
      • 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
      • 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
        Outdoor Life Calling Contest and Calling for Conservation Announcement
      • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
        Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge
        Regional qualifier competition
      • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
        FLW Pro Fishing Autograph Signings
        (In the FLW booth)Larry Nixon
      • 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
    • Hard Rock Cafe
      • 11:30 AM - 1:50 PM
        Daytime Outdoor Stage
        Colt Ford.
      • 11:00 PM
        CMA Songwriter Series
        Marv Green, Brett James, Bobby Pinson, and Rivers Rutherford trading stories and playing songs. Tickets are $15 and are available through Ticketalternative.com to buy online; or charge-by-phone at (877) 725-8849.
        This event requires a separate ticket
      • 11:00 PM
        Outdoor Stage
    • Downtown Nashville
      • 11:00 PM
        CMA Music Festival After Hours™ presented by CMT™
        late night music and specials at participating Downtown clubs
  • Saturday, June 7, 2008
    • Sommet Center
      • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        Information Booth Open
      • 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
        Registration Open
        2009 CMA Music Festival 4-Day advance tickets on sale at box office.
      • 11:00 AM - 4:40 PM
        Chevy™ Plaza
        Free and open to the public. Deborah Allen, and Michael Peterson Fan Club.
    • Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park
    • VAULT™ Concert Stages at LP Field
      • 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM
        2009 CMA Music Festival Tickets On Sale
        LP Field Box Office
      • 6:30 PM
        Gates Open
      • 7:45 PM
        Nightly Concert at LP Field
        Hosted by the stars of ABC Daytime including Bobbie Eakes ("Krystal Carey"), and Ricky Paull Goldin ("Jake Martin") from "All My Children"; Kassie DePaiva ("Blair Cramer") from "One Life to Live"; and Bradford Anderson ("Damian Spinelli"), Rebecca Herbst ("Elizabeth Webber"), and Jason Thompson ("Dr. Patrick Drake") from "General Hospital". In performance order: Jason Michael Carroll, Little Big Town, Jamey Johnson, Rodney Atkins, Darryl Worley, and Trace Adkins.
    • truTv™ Fan Fair® Hall
      • 8:30 AM
        Commerce Street doors open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
        Information Booth Open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
        Exhibit Hall Open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM
        Mary Kay® presents Acoustic Corner
        inside the Nashville Convention Center (Room 209)
    • McDonalds® - Dr Pepper® Family Zone
      • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        Open
        (Located behind the Hilton Hotel.) Food sampling and fun giveaways. An information booth will be located in this area.
      • 11:00 AM
        Music City Rising Star Youth Vocal Competition
        (Located in front of Hilton Hotel.) For an application and/or for more information about this opportunity please contact MUSIC FESTIVALS at 1-800-545-0935 ext.150
      • 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
        YWCA Celebrity Auction
        Fans will have the chance to bid on memorabilia from their favorite Country artists. Emceed by Steve Virginia. Katie Armiger, NFL Tennessee Titans' Cortland Finnegan, Lady Antebellum, Sherry Lynn, Heidi Newfield and GAC's "Country Music Across America" host Storme Warren are among the artists and celebrities scheduled to appear.
      • 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
        Carl Black Chevy Booth Artist Signings
        Come and get an autograph from some of your favorite Country artists. Luke Bryan, Heidi Newfield and Justin Moore.
      • 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM
        ABC Block Party
        Hosted by Bob Guiney, Q&A session with Julianne Hough from Dancing With the Stars, Talent appearances and musical performances from ABC Daytime talent, such as Bobbie Eakes from All My Children and Kassie DePaiva from One Life To Live, musical performance by Country artist Marcel, free games, prizes, sno-cones and popcorn and much more!
      • 4:00 PM - 4:40 PM
        Main Stage
    • Fun Zone
      • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
        Open
        Located on Broadway between 1st and 3rd Avenues. Free to the public.
    • Chevy™ Sports Zone
      • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        Open
        (5th Avenue and Demonbreun) Free to the public. An information booth will be located in this area.
      • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        CMA Music Festival BBQ Championship
        Up to 50 teams from across the U.S. will compete for a chance to win a share of more than $17,000 in cash and prizes. Teams will cook all day on Saturday.
      • 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
      • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
        CBR / RFD-TV Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge
        World Champion and President of Championship Bull Riding (CBR), Tuff Hedeman will host. Singers Jason Brown, Josh Newcom of Indian Rodeo, Danny Rivera, Keni Thomas and Trent Willmon will team up with champion bull riders Wesley Silcox, Ladden Ledbetter, Jake Littlefield, Travis Sellers, and Steve Woolsey
      • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
        FLW Pro Fishing Autograph Signings
        (In the FLW booth) Larry Nixon
      • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
      • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
        Fiesta Celebrity Grilling Challenge
        Hosted by Lee McWright, Executive Chef for Fiesta Gas Grills. Television personality Lorianne Crook, Jamie O’Neal, Country Music Hall of Fame member Mel Tillis, and Mark Wills will be paired with such culinary experts as Chef Jason Brumm, owner of acclaimed Nashville restaurant radius10; Chef George Harvell from the legendary Loveless Café; Chef Karl Trohaska from Sheraton Hotels; and Executive Chef Brian Uhl from Sunset Grill, Midtown Grill, and Cabana.
      • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
      • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
        FLW Pro Fishing Autograph Signings
        (In the FLW booth) Larry Nixon
    • Hard Rock Cafe
      • 11:30 AM - 1:50 PM
        Daytime Outdoor Stage
      • 11:00 PM
        CMA Songwriter Series
        Rodney Clawson, Ashley Gorley, Lee Thomas Miller, and Tim Nichols trading stories and playing songs. Tickets are $15 and are available through Ticketalternative.com to buy online; or charge-by-phone at (877) 725-8849.
        This event requires a separate ticket
      • 11:00 PM
        Outdoor Stage
        Mark Wills.
    • Downtown Nashville
      • 11:00 PM
        CMA Music Festival After Hours™ presented by CMT™
        late night music and specials at participating Downtown clubs
  • Sunday, June 8, 2008
    • Sommet Center
      • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
        Information Booth Open
      • 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
        Registration Open
        2009 CMA Music Festival 4-Day advance tickets on sale at box office.
      • 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM
        Chevy™ Plaza
        Free and open to the public. The Grascals, and Riders In The Sky.
    • Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park
    • VAULT™ Concert Stages at LP Field
    • truTv™ Fan Fair® Hall
      • 8:30 AM
        Commerce Street doors open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
        Information Booth Open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
        Exhibit Hall Open
        inside the Nashville Convention Center
      • 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM
        Mary Kay® presents Acoustic Corner
        inside the Nashville Convention Center (Room 209) Sage Keffer, Timothy Craig Fan Club, and Miko Marks.
    • McDonalds® - Dr Pepper® Family Zone
      • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
        Open
        (Located behind the Hilton Hotel.) Food sampling and fun giveaways. An information booth is also located in this area.
      • 11:00 AM
        Music City Rising Star Youth Vocal Competition
        (Located in front of Hilton Hotel.) For an application and/or for more information about this opportunity please contact MUSIC FESTIVALS at 1-800-545-0935 ext.150
      • 11:00 AM - 3:50 PM
        Main Stage
        Includes a Ronald McDonald and Strawberry Shortcake show Taylor Ware.
      • 11:30 AM
        Free Picnic
        McDonald’s providing FREE sandwiches to the first 500 fans in attendance.
    • Fun Zone
      • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
        Open
        Located on Broadway between 1st and 3rd Avenues. Free to the public.
    • Chevy™ Sports Zone
      • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
        Open
        (5th Avenue and Demonbreun) Free to the public. An information booth will be located in this area.
      • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
        CMA Music Festival BBQ Championship
        Judging begins at Noon. The Awards ceremony will be held from 3pm-4pm.
      • 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
      • 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
        Michael Peterson/ New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race
        participants include: Suzanne Alexander; Alvarado Road Show; Billy Block; Mark Collie; Ira Dean;Joey Feek & Rory Martin Feek; Jimmy Fortune; Greg Hanna; Joe Jobe; Chuck Leavell; Darby Ledbetter; Zane Lewis; Robert K. Oermann; Danny Rivera; Ray Scott; Keni Thomas; Jimmie Van Zandt; Storme Warren; Trent Willmon; Billy Yates; and NFL Tennessee Titans players Rob Bironas, Kerry Collins, Daniel Loper, and Michael Roos.
      • 1:00 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
        Amateur Finals
      • 1:30 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel
        Semi Pro Finals
      • 2:00 PM
        Dock Dogs® presented by Outdoor Channel - Celebrity Finals
        Country Music artists Marcel, Julie Roberts, Phil Stacey, Keni Thomas, Mark Wills, and Trent Willmon, CMT personality Katie Cook, and Outdoor Channel show hosts Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, Mike Pawlawski, and Joe Thomas will be paired up with a champion dog from an earlier competition.
    • Hard Rock Cafe

Schedule subject to change. All times are Central Daylight Time