Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

SATURDAY, JUNE 11:

Saturday was the hottest day of the festival, as well as Nashville’s so far this year. The thermometer topped out at 94 degrees on Saturday afternoon. During the steamiest hours, 419 were treated and six had to go to the hospital because of heat issues.

The day began with Martina McBride on the CMA Close-Up stage in the mercifully air-conditioned Music City Center. The superstar drew by far the largest audience of this year’s Fan Fair X bookings. The massive crowd spilled way past the venue’s boundaries, reached back to the far wall and took up nearly a third of the huge convention center’s floor space.

She shared stories about her life and career, answered fans’ questions and performed with songwriters The Warren Brothers (“Anyway” and “Teenage Daughters,” both of which she co-wrote with them), Hailey Whitters (celebrating her first cut as a writer with Martina’s version of “Low All Afternoon”) and Sarah Buxton (who co-wrote Martina’s new album’s first two singles, the title tune, “Reckless,” and “Just Around the Corner,” which debuted during the Fest). People simply adore Martina. The gig was a giant success.

Martina McBride. Photo: John Russell

Also on hand at Fan Fair X on Saturday were Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Irlene Mandrell, Sarah Darling, Mark Wills and John Berry, among many more.

We emerged into the blazing sunlight and began to walk. And walk. Jamie Lynn Spears was warbling on the Chevy Cruze Stage. The Hard Rock had Levi Hummon. We caught the tail-end of Corey Smith’s set at Riverfront, then watched as Jana Kramer charmed the crowd with her verve.

Levi Hummon. Photo: Natasha Moustache/CMA

At Ascend Amphitheater, The Marshall Tucker Band left the crowd yelling, “More!” Sorry people, no encores. The Fest has to stay on schedule. On cue, Endless Summer began a sweet-sounding set on the venue’s acoustic stage on the other side of the lawn. Brazilbilly then brought the main stage back to life.

The new Music City Stage inside the Bridgestone Arena’s Visitor Center only held about 100, so the singer-songwriters booked usually had full houses. “I’ve been in Nashville for six years, and this is my first time to perform at CMA Fest,” said an appreciative Doug McCormick to his crowd.

Working the “room” during the daylight hours were Daniel Miller, Tony Conway, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Tom Corley and Steve Lassiter.

Went home. Put my blazing feet up for a rest. Changed clothes. Freshened up. Headed for the stadium.

After The Marshall Tucker Band performed “The Star Spangled Banner,” Nitty Gritty Dirt Band took the Nissan stage. Celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band, they zipped through favorites including “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere,” “Mr. Bojangles” and “Fishin’ in the Dark.” The last-named’s co-writer, Jim Photoglo, is now playing bass in the NGDB.

Chris Young and Cassadee Pope. Natasha Moustache/CMA

Squeals of delight pierced the evening air as Chris Young took the stage. His hit-packed set included his new single “Sober Saturday Night” and concluded with the sparks-flying Cassadee Pope duet “Think of You.” It was the finest vocal performance of the night. Backstage, Chris and Cassadee were presented with gold awards for the single. Chris was born on June 12, or as he put it to the crowd, “I’m celebrating the 10th anniversary of my 21st birthday” at CMA Fest.

Cole Swindell . Photo: John Russell

Cole Swindell kicked his set off with “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight” and romped onward. Fans lit their cell phone lights when he sang his ballad “You Should Be Here.” The hits of Florida Georgia Line drew even more enthusiastic crowd response.

Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

Steven Tyler brought out Martina McBride as his surprise guest on a blazing version of the 1993 Aerosmith classic “Cryin.’”

“He called me at home,” Martina said beforehand. “At first, I didn’t know who it was. When I realized it was him, I mouthed the words, ‘It’s Steven Tyler!’ to my daughters and motioned for them to listen in. We were so excited.”

Steven Tyler and Martina McBride. Photo: John Russell/CMA

Rollicking good ol’ boy Blake Shelton made superstardom look easy during his Saturday finale performance. Highlights included “Boys Round Here” and his new “She’s Got a Way With Words.” The Oak Ridge Boys were his surprise guests.

Blake Shelton. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

Fabulons gabbing and grinning in the hospitality suite included Michael Martin, Michael Cass, Scott Hendricks, Pat Collins, Paul Barnabee, Sally Seitz and Biff Watson. One of the evening’s stage hosts was super singer-songwriter Chuck Wicks.

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)