More Stars, Local Access Come To CMA Fest

Leaders of the Country Music Association, the Metro Government of Nashville, and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau gathered at the Metro Courthouse today (3/11), to announce new plans for 2009 CMA Music Festival including the addition of a new stage on the Public Square in front of the Courthouse and free access for the first time to the concerts at Riverfront Park. Increased local attendance at the Festival has long been a goal of CMA, and the announcement of free daytime admission could be just the ticket for local residents.

“We have always enjoyed a great relationship with the City, but this takes our partnership to a whole new level,” said CMA CEO Tammy Genovese. “We are now able to offer the residents of Nashville and the surrounding communities even more opportunities to access free music, family-friendly activities, and more.”

In addition, CMA has announced that Trace Adkins, Julianne Hough, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire will join the long list of stars already announced for this year’s Festival.

The addition of a stage at the Public Square provides residents and visitors with a new venue to enjoy the diverse musical styles found in Music City. Dubbed the Music City Zone, and programmed by the NCVB, the area will be free and open to the public each day.

“Adding the Music City Zone gives us a chance to showcase even more local stars and gives us an opportunity to broaden the styles of music that are readily available any day in this city,” said NCVB President Butch Spyridon.

In another first, residents of Middle Tennessee can support music education beyond their Music Festival ticket purchase. The Nashville Alliance for Public Education will be collecting “gently used” band instruments during the Festival to be provided to students and music programs in need. The instruments can be dropped off daily during the Festival in the Dr Pepper®-McDonald’s® Family Zone in Hilton Park.

CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14. Nashville’s signature music event features four days of music, with concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more throughout Downtown. Each year, CMA donates half the net profits of CMA Music Festival for music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools, via the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, through the “Keep the Music Playing” program.

Pictured (l-r) President of the NCVB Butch Spyridon, CMA CEO Tammy Genovese, CMA President and Chairman of the Music Festival Steering Committee Steve Moore, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, President of The Mathews Company and Vice Chairman of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Bert Matthews and CMA Chairman Randy Goodman.

• Author
• Recent Posts

LB Cantrell

LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.

Latest posts by LB Cantrell (see all)

• My Music Row Story: The GreenRoom’s Kristie Sloan - July 15, 2026
• My Music Row Story: PLA Media’s Pam Lewis - June 17, 2026
• Ella Langley Notches Sixth Week Atop The MusicRow Radio Chart - May 29, 2026