CMA Fest History

The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. The legendary CMA Fest has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts tens of thousands of fans from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and 37 international countries. In 2019, CMA Fest featured more than 300 performances on 11 official stages – all to benefit music education. CMA Fest is filmed for an ABC Television Network special. For 15 consecutive years, the event has been filmed for a network television special, a feat no other music festival has achieved.

Since 2006, a portion of proceeds from CMA Fest has been given to music education initiatives supporting students K-12 across the U.S. through the CMA Foundation. It’s thanks to you, our fans, as well as event partners and the generosity of our artists donating their time that we’ve been able to give back to deserving educators and students.

Scroll through the photos below to see just a few of our favorite moments throughout the years.

The 3rd Annual Fan Fair setup plan for 1974, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Bluegrass concert during the 3rd Annual Fan Fair 1974, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Autograph session during the 5th Annual Fan Fair 1976, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Minnie Pearl performed Saturday, June 12 in the Reunion Show during the 5th Annual Fan Fair 1976, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Alabama performed Tuesday, June 8 in the Nashville Songwriters Association International singing "Feels So Right" during the 11th Annual Fan Fair 1982, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville. Pictured is Randy Owen
Charley Pride performed Thursday, June 10 in the RCA Records Show during the 11th Annual Fan Fair 1982, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville
Garth Brooks takes on a 23 hour autograph session during the 25th Annual Fan Fair 1996, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Garth Brooks takes on a 23 hour autograph session during the 25th Annual Fan Fair 1996, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Fans enjoy performances at the Riverfront stage on the 30th Annual Fan Fair 2001, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Fans at the LP Field night performances during the 30th Annual Fan Fair 2001, The World's Biggest Country Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Country Music Fans take part in autograph signings and photographs with their favorite stars at the Wrangler Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) in the Downtown Nashville Convention Center on Thursday, June 10, during the 2004 CMA Music Festival, "Country Music's Biggest Party.”
Thousands of Country Music fans watch Buddy Jewell perform at the Nightly Concert at The Coliseum on Thursday, June 10 in Downtown Nashville at the 2004 CMA Music Festival, “Country Music's Biggest Party.”
Taylor Swift signs autographs for 13 hours in the Bridgestone Arena on Sunday, June 13 during the 2010 CMA Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Taylor Swift signs autographs for 13 hours in the Bridgestone Arena on Sunday, June 13, during the 2010 CMA Music Festival in Downtown Nashville.
Little Big Town performs at LP Field on Saturday, June 7 during the 2014 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.
Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood perform together at LP Field on Friday, June 6 during the 2014 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.
Florida Georgia Line performs at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 10 during the 2017 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.
Randy Travis is a surprise guest during Michael Ray's performance at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage on Thursday, June 8 during the 2017 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.
Luke Bryan performs at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, June 10 during the 2018 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.
Fans enjoy the photo ops as part of the 2018 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.