Chevy Revs Up CMA Music Fest

Chevrolet is earning its title as the Official Ride of Country Music by sponsoring numerous events at the 2012 CMA Music Festival, running June 7-10.

A private Industry Test Drive will occur this Friday, June 1, 11 AM- 2 PM near the CMA offices. For each test drive taken, Chevrolet will donate $25 to the CMA Foundation, which benefits music education.

On Mon., June 4 at 6 PM at The Stage, Chevrolet will present the CMA Global Artist Party featuring Australians Bob Corbett, Morgan Evans, Adam Harvey, Craig Morrison and Joe Robinson; Canadians Emerson Drive, High Valley and Jess Moskaluke; Vickie Evans (New Zealand); Lisa McHugh (Ireland) with Gene Watson; and Gary Quinn (UK). Australian husband and wife duo O’Shea return as hosts.

“The Eighth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” will begin at 11 AM on Wed., June 6. The parade will start at 10th Avenue and end at Chevrolet Riverfront Park for the Chevrolet Block Party at 12:30 PM, which is free and open to the public.

The Festival officially begins on Thurs., June 7 when Montgomery Gentry kicks off the free concerts at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage at 10 AM. Acts that are slated to perform include Wade Bowen, Lee Brice, Laura Bell Bundy, Craig Campbell, Edens Edge, Brett Eldredge, The Farm, Colt Ford, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Gloriana, JT Hodges, Steve Holy, Casey James, Jana Kramer, Tracy Lawrence, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Love and Theft, Dustin Lynch, Neal McCoy, Jo Dee Messina, Kip Moore, Craig Morgan, Lorrie Morgan, David Nail, Heidi Newfield, Jerrod Niemann, Oak Ridge Boys, James Otto, Randy Rogers Band, Thomas Rhett, Sawyer Brown, Corey Smith, Sunny Sweeney, Josh Thompson, Mel Tillis, Uncle Kracker, Phil Vassar, James Wesley, and Darryl Worley. Chevrolet vehicles will be on display.

New this year is The Chevrolet Roadhouse, located in Fan Alley (off Broadway and 4th Ave.), which will feature performances by Weston Burt, Due West, Erin Enderlin, Flynnville Train, Adam Gregory, Amber Hayes, Imaj, Zack Lockwood, Lucy Angel, Rachele Lynae, Josh Mullins, Gary Quinn, Chase Rice, The Roys, Matt Stillwell, and Jason Thomas.

Fans will also have an opportunity to test drive a Chevrolet at the Ride and Drive on Fourth Avenue between Broadway and Demonbreun Street. The “Catch a Chevy” program will give free rides to fans.

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HGTV, GAC, DIY Network and Travel Channel are hosting The Lodge, a venue in Fan Alley. The Lodge’s GAC Living Country Stage line-up includes performances by Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Bucky Covington, Love & Theft, Kip Moore, Sarah Darling, Josh Thompson, Kix Brooks, Katie Armiger and Casey James; and autograph sessions with Kellie Pickler, Lauren Alaina, Rodney Atkins, Easton Corbin, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Thompson Square, Jake Owen, Scotty McCreery and rapper Vanilla Ice, host of DIY Network’s The Vanilla Ice Project. Additionally, HGTV stars set for appearances are Chris Lambton (Going Yard), Drew and Jonathan Scott (The Property Brothers), and Amie and Jolie Sykes (Junk Gypsies). Host Bert Kreischer will be on location to film an upcoming episode of the new Travel Channel series, Trip Flip. He will surprise a few lucky tourists, taking them behind-the-scenes at the Festival.