Carrie Underwood. Photo: John Russell / CMA

Chapter 534

FRIDAY, JUNE 10:

You couldn’t have asked for a better lineup to kick off the Riverfront Stage on the Friday morning of this year’s CMA Music Festival.

Brandy Clark. Photo: John Russell/CMA

Brandy Clark, Eric Paslay, Home Free and Kane Brown were all raging successes with the young, buff sun worshippers who are in this stage’s audience every day during the fest. “We’re professional dreamers,” said Eric to the crowd. “Thank you for letting me sing my songs.”

His set featured songs he’s written for others (Eli Young Band’s “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”), hits he’s written for himself (“She Don’t Love You”) and a cover (The Stones’ “Satisfaction”). Eric left them begging for more after a rousing treatment of his gold-certified “Friday Night,” with which they sang along. It was a star-making performance.

Eric Paslay. Photo: Natasha Moustache/CMA

On the Gildan Hard Rock stage, bopping Sammy Arriaga turned in an energetic, danceable set. He’s a Cuban-American from Miami who is doubtless used to heat, hence his all-white cotton stage duds.

Ryan Kinder. Sanford Myers/CMA

“Sorry about the heat,” said Ryan Kinder on the Chevrolet Cruze Park Stage. “I’m in the shade. I wish y’all could be up here with me.” During the day, about 300 people were treated for heat-related issues. Luckily, only two had to be taken to the hospital.

Circulating in the sunshine were Kent Earls, Lindsay Jones, Neal Spielberg, aspiring artist Alana Springsteen, Lane Wilson and Pete Loesch, who was headed for the Next Women of Country program in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Me? I was taking a break from music to be entertained by the Ultimate Air Dogs on the Bridgestone plaza. Each one’s toy or Frisbee is tossed into the air above a long pool. The doggie leaps to catch it and splashes joyfully into the water. The one who splashes the furthest, wins.

Lunchtime arrived. There was a zone called Eats N Beats where 19 local food trucks are lined up on both sides of Fifth Avenue between the Hall of Fame and the Music City Center. I chose the air conditioning of Al Taglio in the MCC at the corner of 5th and Korean Vets. They serve dandy sandwich-and-salad combos at reasonable prices.

Further into the MCC we plunged. Just in time to catch Confederate Railroad on the Durango Stage in the Fan Fair exhibit hall. The finale was — perfect! — “Trashy Women.” Another highlight on that stage on Friday was T. Graham Brown.

Allison Jones, Sherod Robertson, Larry Stewart and Mickey Guyton were working the room. Autographing away were Lulu Roman, The Bellamy Brothers, Jamie Lynn Spears and Post Monroe. The celeb with the longest autograph line? That would be rock legend Steven Tyler.

Charles Esten. Caitlin Harris/CMA

Charles Esten was autographing, too. He was basking in the news that CMT is picking up his addictive TV series Nashville. He told the Fan Fair fans about it, and they cheered. Then he “made it official” at his Riverfront show, joined by Mayor Megan Barry and castmates Clare Bowen and Chris Carmack. The latter had headed to Esten’s show after finishing his own on the Chevy Cruze Stage earlier that day.

Blake Shelton played a surprise show at The Stage on Lower Broadway on Friday afternoon. Fans yelled out requests and sang along with every song.

That night at Nissan Stadium, Mayor Megan Barry and CMA CEO Sarah Trahern addressed the crowd. Then Frankie Ballard performed the national anthem on electric guitar.

Clint Black kicked off the night’s music with “Nothin’ But the Taillights.” Wife Lisa Hartman Black joined him for “You Still Get to Me.”

“That’s country music, in case you don’t recognize it,” quipped Dennis Banka about Clint’s stellar collection of vintage hit tunes.

In between sets, Nashville’s Listing Sisters joined hosts The Property Brothers for banter and TV clips. Both duos are identical twins with shows on HGTV.

Chris Stapleton and Morgane Stapleton. Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA

The musical highlight of the night came next. Chris Stapleton electrified the crowd. His searing rendition of “Nobody to Blame” was greeted with a massive roar from the capacity crowd. Several long guitar workouts characterized his jam-band flavored set. He inventively sang his band introductions, including harmonica virtuoso Mickey Raphael and Chris’s wife, Morgane Stapleton.

“What time is it?” asked Chris. “It’s time for country whiskey!” This led into his finale, “Tennessee Whiskey.” It was audio catnip to the fans.

Stapleton was one of the handful of CMA Fest acts who were also playing Bonnaroo. These also included Maren Morris, Aubrie Sellers and the next act on Friday night’s stadium bill, Sam Hunt.

Sam Hunt. Photo: Natasha Moustache/CMA

Sam’s set was highlighted by his spoken/sung smash “Take Your Time.” He did a couple of stints on ground level, shaking hands with the front-row folks below the lip of the stage.

I felt a little sorry for Sam, having to follow the prodigiously gifted Chris Stapleton and being succeeded by charismatic master showman Eric Church, who takes no prisoners when he performs.

Eric Church. Photo: CMA Press

The night’s surprise guests were Chris Janson (“Buy Me a Boat”) and Justin Moore (“You Look Like I Need a Drink”). Both returned to sing “Born to Boogie” with Hank Williams Jr.

Eric Church was the guest on Hank’s “Are You Ready for the Country.” Here’s something I don’t think has occurred at CMA Fest before. Bocephus included his label boss, Scott Borchetta, in his band.

Hank Williams Jr. Photo: Natasha Moustache/CMA

Carrie Underwood unleashed the night’s finale set, during which she debuted as a harmonica player.

It was a big industry schmooze night at the stadium. Fabulons working the hospitality room included Mike Sirls, Mike Craft, John Marks, Mark Brown, Herky Williams, Bill Wence, Bill Denny, Kurt Denny, Jack Purcell, Bob DiPiero, Tom Collins, Horton Frank, Ansel Davis, Ray Shelide, Brett Woolcott & Lydia Lenker, Nancy Shapiro, Ron Stuve, Donna Hughes and Steve Emley.

Perry Howard had Canadian songwriter Colter Wall in tow. With a sponsor like that, Colter is bound to succeed. Ed Benson was reminiscing about the first CMA Fest at the stadium (2004), when none of the uppermost decks held fans. “Do you think we’ll ever fill it?” Benson had asked. “One of these days,” replied then-mayor Karl Dean. A prophet, if ever there was one.

Dot Records artist Drake White is set to release his debut album, Spark, on Aug. 19. The album features his current single, “Livin’ the Dream.” Recorded in Nashville and produced by Ross Copperman and Jeremy Stover, the project contains 12 tracks, 10 of which White co-wrote.

The songwriter list for the project is illustrious, and includes Phil Barton, Copperman, Monty Criswell, Tom Douglas, Derek George, Mark Irwin, Tommy Lee James, Matt Jenkins, Jaren Johnston, Luke Laird, Tony Lane, Shane McAnally, Shane Minor, Randy Montana, Jon Nite, Josh Osborne, Philip Pence, Lindsay Jack Rimes, Trevor Rosen, Jason Sellers, Jeremy Spillman and Ryan Tyndell.

“Since we began this journey—working on the album—I knew I wanted the title to be Spark,” said White. “The idea of starting a fire from a tiny spark has always been so intriguing to me. That’s the way I have always lived my life; starting with a small plan and then it becomes this dream I didn’t even know to dream.”

White’s Spark album cover tells the visual story of who Drake White is as an artist, husband and Alabama native. The images imprinted into his silhouette paint a narrative of White’s life, including his wife Alex, his hometown church where his grandfather served as preacher, his dog Writer and other mementos that inspired his first full length album for Dot.

White is currently opening shows for Zac Brown Band’s Black Out the Sun Tour, in addition to his own headlining dates. White is also a Salt Life ambassador.

Spark Track Listing:

1. “Heartbeat” (Drake White, Ross Copperman, Jason Sellers)
2. “Story” (Drake White, Mark Irwin, Tommy Lee James)
3. “Makin’ Me Look Good Again” (Drake White, Monty Criswell, Shane Minor)
4. “It Feels Good” (Drake White, Derek George, Philip Pence)
5. “Livin’ the Dream” (Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Luke Laird)
6. “I Need Real” (Drake White, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite)
7. “Back to Free” (Drake White, Randy Montana, Philip Pence)
8. “Equator” (Drake White, Matt Jenkins, Trevor Rosen)
9. “Live Some” (Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
10. “Waitin’ on the Whiskey to Work” (Drake White, Tony Lane, Philip Pence)
11. “Elvis” (Drake White, Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell)
12. “Take Me As I Am” (Drake White, Phil Barton, Lindsay Jack Rimes)

Blake Shelton Draws Crowd Walking Down Broadway

Pictured (L-R): Brandon Blackstock (Starstruck Management), John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN), Blake Shelton, Narvel Blackstock (Starstruck Management), Scott Hendricks (EVP A&R, WMN), Peter Strickland (EVP/GM, WMN).

At the second annual Beers on Blake on Friday (June 10), Blake Shelton made a surprise appearance and performed more than a dozen songs acoustically. The star made his entrance after walking down Broadway.

Craig Morgan Hosts Special Guests At Album Release Party

Pictured (L-R): Eric Paslay, Craig Morgan. Photo: Brandon Pendergrass/Sub 7

Craig Morgan’s fans and friends gathered at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Wednesday (June 8) to celebrate the release of his new album, titled Whole Lot More To Me.

Surprise guest Eric Paslay joined for a song he wrote on Morgan’s album, titled “Country Side of Heaven.” Additional guest performances were made by Hailey Whitters, Jillian Cardarelli, Adam Sanders, Kane Brown and Mac Powell. Brown performed one of Morgan’s biggest hits “Almost Home.” Third Day’s Powell came back on stage to join forces on “Hearts I Leave Behind,” a duet the two share on the Black River Entertainment album.

Morgan’s seventh studio album, co-produced with Byron Gallimore, was released June 3.

Charley Pride Honored by Grand Ole Opry Executives

Pictured (L-R): Pete Fisher, Charley Pride, Gina Keltner.

Charley Pride was presented a plaque Thursday (June 9) commemorating 50 years in country music by Gina Keltner and Pete Fisher of the Grand Ole Opry.  The presentation was made during Pride’s annual fan club breakfast held at the Opry Backstage Grill.

Charlie Worsham Surprises Late Night Fans With Friends Vince Gill, Aubrie Sellers, Brothers Osborne

Pictured (L-R): Aubrie Sellers, Charlie Worsham. Photo: Brody Harper.

Charlie Worsham launched Midnite Jamboree Hosted by Charlie Worsham on Thursday evening (June 9) with surprise appearances by Vince Gill, Aubrie Sellers and Brothers Osborne.

Held at the legendary Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Broadway in downtown Nashville from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., the jamboree continues Friday and Saturday evening. Additional special surprise performers will join Worsham in the legendary space where Elvis, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Sr. and countless many others have performed.

John and TJ Osborne of the Brothers Osborne with Charlie Worsham. Photo: Brody Harper.

Pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Charlie Worsham. Photo: Brody Harper.