Chapter 312-A
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Martina McBride and Kid Rock perform at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville June 12. Photo: John Russell
Friday always seems, to me, to be the busiest day of the CMA Music Festival. On Wednesday and Thursday, the faithful gather. On Saturday and Sunday, they disperse to various Fan Club parties or find other ways to amuse themselves in Nashville “off campus.” But on Friday, they’re still fresh, ready to party and clustered together downtown.
The day was bright and sunny as I hit Lower Broadway. At the Hard Rock stage, brawny Stephen Dale had one couple dancing merrily in front of his stage. Riders in the Sky, who followed, kept the mood upbeat. Back for another year, The Naked Cowboy was entertaining fans in front of Cadillac Ranch, wearing only his boots, hat, guitar and underpants.
The Riverfront stage had the afternoon one-two-three punch of Eric Church, Craig Morgan and Randy Houser, stand-up singers one and all. Eric’s fans screamed wildly and sang along to every song. “Need God? Go to Church,” read one fan’s sign. “Church Revival” read another. With five separate shows, Eric was the most performing artist of the festival.
Taking it all in backstage were Steve Buchanan, John Peets, Judy McDonough and Jeff Walker. Steve had to leave early because Pam Tillis was autographing in Gaylord’s Opry Originals gift shop.
Meanwhile, up in the Convention Center booths, things were hopping. Even as late in the day as 4:00 p.m., Keith Anderson, Joe Nichols, Billy Yates, Donna Fargo, Moore & Moore, Wynonna Judd, Joey & Rory, Ashton Shepherd, Razzy Bailey, Trailer Choir and The Carter Twins were still signing away.
Here’s a sign of the times. Remember that huge book and record shop that took up half of the far wall in the hall? Gone. Instead, there was a postage-stamp sized Barnes & Noble booth with a few dozen selections.
Outside the Hall on 5th Avenue North, the members of Rio Grand were posing for snaps in front of their brightly painted tour bus.
Kate & Kacey were harmonizing on the Sommet Stage. Cherryholmes later ended the day there. The family bluegrass band is that rare act who played both the CMA Music Festival and Bonnaroo last weekend. Inside the Sommet Center’s “needle,” an acoustic stage was set up for the “Second Friday Songbirds” songwriters.
In the smaller Family Zone tent, ABC soap stars were autographing and Chuck Wicks was in the midst of a fan Q&A session. He deftly dodged a query about when he and Julianne Hough will marry. “We’re happy with our relationship the way it is,” he said. He also suggested that the thing to do might be to wed during next year’s event. “Wouldn’t that be a festival?” he asked the fans. Behind him, in the big Family Zone tent, yodeling Taylor Ware and others were making “country music for kids.”
Lady Antebellum performs at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville June 12. Photo: John Russell
Big-head Cabbage Patch Kids characters were posing for photos. One Family Zone tent was for gathering citizens’ used musical instruments for use in Metro schools. Over at the nearby Rutledge on 4th Avenue South, former American Idol rocker Bo Bice hosted his first fan club party as a country performer.
That night at LP Field, Mayor Karl Dean & Ann Davis, Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, Tim Nichols, Stuart Dill, Mike Sistad, Lynn Aurelius, Drew Alexander, Anthony Smith and more worked the hospitality suite. Hank Adam Locklin helped Jo Walker Meador to a prime seat and served her beverages. Linda Davis & Lang Scott were there to watch daughter Hillary Scott do her thing in Lady Antebellum. Lang had his business cards for Musiccitynetworks.com, a company “by artists, for artists” that handles websites, brand management and merchandise.
Lady A performed splendidly, as did Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean and The Zac Brown Band. Rodney Atkins sang a snippet of “I Can See Clearly Now” as an intro to “If You’re Going Through Hell.” Martina McBride turned up to sing “Picture” with concert closer Kid Rock.
Legends Toast Hank Cochran
/by Sarah SkatesPictured are (l-r): Bobby Bare; BMI Assistant Vice President Writer/Publisher Relations Clay Bradley; Theresa & Merle Haggard; Hank Cochran; songwriter Dale Dodson; BMI Vice President Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams and BMI President & CEO Del Bryant. (Photo: Peyton Hoge)
Living legends gathered to salute iconic songwriter Hank Cochran Monday, June 15 at BMI’s Music Row offices. Merle Haggard, Bobby Bare, Dean Dillon, Jamey Johnson, Lee Ann Womack, Gene Watson, Red Lane, and Whitey Shafer took turns delivering acoustic versions of Hank Cochran classics, while guests including Elvis Costello, Cowboy Jack Clement, Jeannie Seely, Dallas Frazier, Scotty Emerick, Shawn Camp, Jim Lauderdale and others listened intently. Willie Nelson couldn’t be at the reception, but he called and jovially addressed Cochran and the crowd via speaker phone.
The party was a well-kept secret from Cochran: He believed he was simply stopping by BMI to pick up numerous BMI Million-Air certificates, recognizing the millions of performances generated by hits including “Make the World Go Away,” “She’s Got You,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “The Chair,” “Ocean Front Property,” “Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me,” “Is It Raining at Your House,” “That’s All That Matters,” “Set ‘Em Up Joe,” and “This Ain’t My First Rodeo.” However, an intimate gathering of friends and family awaited him as well, and Haggard led the small crowd in greeting—and pleasantly surprising—the beloved troubadour.
2009 CMT Music Awards Street Closures
/by Sarah Skates2009 CMT Music Awards street closures:
–5th Avenue (Broadway to Demonbreun): This section of 5th Avenue will remain closed from 8:00 PM on Sunday, June 14th through 6:00 AM on Wednesday, June 17th.
–Demonbreun (West bound from 4th to 6th Avenues): This section of Demonbreun will be closed from 10:00 AM on Monday, June 15 through 12:00 AM on Wednesday, June 17th.
–Demonbreun (East Bound from 4th Avenue to 6th Avenue: This section of Demonbreun will be closed from 10:00 AM through midnight on Tuesday, June 17th.
–5th Avenue at Franklin: This section of 5th Avenue will be closed to the public at 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM on June 17th.
–5th Avenue Sidewalk (Between Broadway and Demonbreun): This will be closed from 10:00 AM on June 16th – 12:00 AM on June 18 th (midnight after the show).
Updated: Nashville Prepping For Tonight’s CMT Awards
/by Sarah SkatesRumors abound that Taylor Swift will perform tonight with T-Pain. Photo: CMT.com
Updated 2:15 PM: Jamey Johnson will be presented the inaugural Rhapsody Music Without Limits Award on the red carpet at the CMT Awards. The honor is for artists who have the ability to push boundaries with their artistry, exhibiting a willingness to explore and introduce new sounds into an existing music genre.
Randy Houser’s hit single “Boots On” will be the theme song for the CMT Music Awards Red Carpet Show. The song will be used as the bumper in and out of commercials. A recent hot topic of conversation for several media outlets, including, The CBS Early Show, CNN and Perez Hilton’s site, the video for “Boots On” incorporates the YouTube viral video of a 4-year-old rocking out to the song. The viral video is closing in on a million combined streams and continues to receive traffic on a daily basis.
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The 2009 CMT Music Awards are tonight (6/16) at 7 PM at the Sommet Center. The list of stars set for appearances or performances is an incredible mix of Country’s finest and celebs from outside Nashville. Just announced are presenters Toby Keith, Alison Krauss, Kellie Pickler, Heidi Newfield, Tennessee Titans’ Kerry Collins, ventriloquist (America’s Got Talent) Terry Fator, model Karolina Kurkova, and Melissa Peterman.
Leading up to the main show, the one-hour 2009 CMT Music Awards Red Carpet special will start at 6 PM with hosts Katie Cook and Lance Smith.
Hosted by actor/comedian Bill Engvall, there will be performances by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Keith, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and British rockers Def Leppard. Jason Michael Carroll, Carter Twins, Eric Church, Eli Young Band, Gloriana and Joey + Rory will perform on the Nationwide Insurance performance stage.
Previously announced presenters include American Idol’s Randy Jackson, Dancing With The Stars’ recent champions Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas, The O’Reilly Factor’s Bill O’Reilly, actor Luke Wilson, rockers Kid Rock and Ted Nugent and rap artist T-Pain. In addition, country stars Rodney Atkins, Billy Currington, Julianne Hough, Naomi Judd, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack and CMT’s Cook and Smith will be on-hand to present.
Voting for the fan-voted show is now closed. The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can vote at CMT.com and via text on their Verizon Wireless phones throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.
Sugarland To Debut CD/DVD Set Exclusively At Walmart
/by Sarah SkatesThe accompanying 10-track CD includes Sugarland’s take on covers made famous by Beyonce (“Irreplaceable”), B-52’s (“Love Shack”), Pearl Jam (“Better Man”), Edie Brickell (“Circle”), Kings of Leon (“Sex On Fire”) and R.E.M. (“The One I Love,” “Nightswimming”). The CD also includes live recordings of three of Sugarland’s biggest hits, including their Grammy-winning song, “Stay,” and “All I Want To Do.”
Philanthropy Is A Big Part of CMA Music Festival
/by Sarah SkatesSteve Moore, President of CMA's Board of Directors; Valory Music artist Jimmy Wayne; and CMA CEO Tammy Genovese at the "Be Instrumental" used band instrument drive on June 11 during the CMA Music Festival.
The “Be Instrumental” used band instrument drive, organized by the Nashville Alliance for Public Education and CMA during CMA Music Festival, drummed up lots of support for deserving music students and programs in Metro Nashville Public Schools. The level of interest from the community compelled the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to offer to be a drop off location through the end of the month for anyone who wasn’t able to donate during the Festival. Donations of gently used instruments are tax deductible and donors will receive a discount on Museum admission.
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The first-ever Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction held outside the Ryman Auditorium Friday, June 12 raised $40,000 for the Opry Trust Fund, which assists members of the country music community in need. Pictured in the foreground are guitars painted by Craig Morgan and Dolly Parton. The Parton guitar alone raised $7,000, while a guitar designed by Carrie Underwood brought in the highest bid at $9,000. Opry member Steve Wariner (shown onstage) kicked off the event with a performance and served as celebrity auctioneer alongside GAC-TV and 650 WSM radio personality Bill Cody. A guitar contributed by Wariner is among several items available in an online component of the auction currently running at opryauction.com.
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The 26th annual YWCA auction with Martina McBride raised $72,195 at Nashville’s Hall of Fame Park on Saturday. McBride, Chris Young, Jason Michael Carroll, Bo Bice, Erika Dunlap, and others participated in the auction. High ticket items included a signed Dolly Parton guitar that sold for $4,000, and a one-of-a-kind McBride signed quilt (made of rare tour shirts) which sold for $3,600. McBride enhanced the auction with personal items, including the dress she wore while performing for Stevie Wonder earlier this year at the White House. McBride supports the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and its commitment to breaking multi-generational cycles of poverty and violence while working to eliminate racism.
Treehouse Records Launches Blaine Larsen
/by Sarah SkatesBlaine Larsen
Blaine Larsen will be the flagship artist of Treehouse Records, the new label launched by Morris Management Group’s Dale Morris, Clint Higham and Mike Betterton, through a partnership with Front Line Management and TicketMaster CEO Irving Azoff. “This is a labor of love for Blaine, because we believe in him,” Higham explained today.
Larsen, 23, has been signed with Morris Management for five years, where the firm has grown his career and feel he is poised for major success. When deciding what the next move was for Larsen, Higham says, “We didn’t want to wait in line at another label.” Morris Management Group was already under Front Line Management’s umbrella when the companies began considering opening a label. “We thought, ‘labels are gearing up to be in management, so why couldn’t we do the same thing,’” Higham explains.
Clint Higham
One advantage to the small roster he says is that while “other labels are asking [radio] for 20 artists, we’re asking for one.” Larsen is starting his radio tour today, with the first single due in July. The album, seven months in the making, is complete. Besides radio, digital marketing will also be a large component of Larsen’s launch because he is already very active online.
Larsen, a former BNA Records artist, had a Top 20 hit in 2005 with “How Do You Get That Lonely,” followed a year later by “I Don’t Know What She Said,” which went Top 25. The relationship didn’t last, but Higham adds, “We have nothing but respect for Joe Galante and his team.”
Treehouse, which shares its moniker with the nickname for the Morris Management offices, will be housed with Morris Management for the time being.
Announcements about staff and distribution are expected in the coming weeks. As far as any other acts being added to the roster, Higham says, “Only time will tell.”
Music Festival Hits All-Time Attendance High
/by bossrossDespite a troubled economy and falling festival ticket sales across the nation, the 2009 CMA Music Festival reeled in its best attendance numbers ever, notching a 7.2% increase over the previous year. Average 2009 daily attendance was 56,000. In 2008 the average daily attendance was 52,000.
According to the CMA, a great deal of the uptick was due to single ticket sales plus crowds at the festival’s free zones and various concert venues. This year the Riverfront stages were free to the community for the first time. Other free areas included the Dr Pepper®-McDonald’s® Family Zone, Fun Zone, Sports Zone, and the new Music City Zone on the Public Square at Metro Courthouse. Single night tickets at LP Field were especially well received jumping 19.5% this year.
Heidi Newfield performs at the Riverfront Stage Thurs., June 11. Photo: Theresa Montgomery
Bobby Karl Works CMA Music Fest (6/14)
/by Bobby KarlChapter 312-C
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
Jack Ingram performs at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville June 14. Photo: John Russell
Sunday Fan club activities began in the morning for Jo Dee Messina at The Belcourt Theater and concluded with Pam Tillis at The Wildhorse Saloon that evening.
In the Sports Zone downtown, we had the fourth annual Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race, sponsored by New Holland. The man to beat was last year’s champ, Darby Ledbetter, a country record maker who is also a three-tour veteran of the Middle East. Mark Collie, Megan Munroe, Richie Fields, Chuck Leavell, lead singer Adam Craig of TelluRide and dozens of other contestants tried to unseat him. But Darby prevailed for the second year in a row. Joey & Rory competed. Rory Feek can wear all the overalls he wants, but his wife Joey Martin’s tractor-race time was better. By the way, the tractors ran on Biodiesel fuel.
It was so humid on Sunday that even a short walk would leave your clothes soaked. Nevertheless, the outdoor attractions at Riverfront included Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, fast-rising Gloriana, the Eli Young Band and Darryl Worley. Booked at the Hard Rock were Matt Stillwell and The Block Family Band, among others. At the Sommet stage, your choices included The Grascals, Bomshel and T. Graham Brown. Inside the Sommet Center, rehearsals were underway for Tuesday’s CMT Awards. There’s no rest for the weary.
Sage Keffer was slated to open and Miko Marks to close at the final day in the popular, air-conditioned Acoustic Corner. I always feel a twinge of sadness on Sunday afternoon when the booth dismantling begins in the Convention Center. It’s like the circus is folding up its tents.
But there was still one more evening of music and memory making to go at LP field. Soaking up the final concert in the hospitality suite were Dale Bobo, Bill Bennett, the Chamber’s Butch Spyridon, Steve Moore, former vice mayor Howard Gentry, Ben Farrell and Charlie Monk. Bobby Cudd brought his teen daughter to see Taylor Swift on the big stage. Dan Ekback reported that he has a new publishing gig, with Platinum Pen.
Miranda Lambert performs at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field June 14. Photo: John Russell
Now it can be told: the suite’s annual bartender turns out to be “Rockit” Roger Richardson. His single “The First Cowboy in Space” was reviewed in last Friday’s “DisClaimer” column and is available on the current CDX.
The jets roared overhead one last time. Jack Ingram kicked off the show. On “Barbie Doll,” everyone sang along. For “Barefoot and Crazy,” they were on their feet. During “Love You” Jack waded into the crowd, singing and high-fiving fans. Co-host Melissa Peterman observed, “I’ll be his Barbie Doll any day.” Heidi Newfield did an acoustic set. She committed the perennial error of wearing black on the black CMA Fest stage, rendering her nearly invisible. Impending Opry cast inductees Montgomery Gentry were up next.
Co-host Lance Smith brought on Miranda Lambert. The fiery Miranda informed the stadium that she’d come all the way from the Lone Star State to show them how it’s done, “Texas style.” Taylor Swift was next, followed by a surprise appearance by Sugarland. Then came Kenny Chesney, a bunch of beach balls and the end of another fabulous Fest.
Bobby Karl Works CMA Music Fest (6/13)
/by Bobby KarlChapter 312-B
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
The Judds perform at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville June 13. Photo: John Russell
This was our first really hot day of the fest. Boaters were out in force on the Cumberland behind the Riverfront Stage, and kids were frolicking in the Metro Courthouse fountains.
I took Miss Mary with me downtown. “Don’t walk too fast,” she implored. I laughed: “Don’t worry: There are so many people on the streets that you CAN’T walk fast.” And so there were.
In the Sports Zone, we shared the love with the Frisbee dogs. Tracy Byrd was autographing in the Opry Originals gift shop on Broadway that afternoon. Rock performer/producer Roger Nichols was tooling around on his golf cart on 1st Avenue South as the self-proclaimed “Parking Nazi.” He doesn’t mind telling even the biggest country stars where they can and cannot stow their vehicles.
This year, the opening acts each day at Riverfront got 45-minute sets. The rest of the day’s artists did 30 minutes, which is also an increase over previous years. The result was fewer artists clustered in that area of the festival with more to spread around to the Sommet stage, the Hard Rock stage, the Metro Courthouse stage and the Acoustic Corner in the Convention Center. Anyhow, when I was down there boat spotting, Emerson Drive was pleasing everyone with “Moments.” Lorrie Morgan followed. Excellent popster Jeremy Lister was booked for a late-afternoon Courthouse appearance.
Up in the Acoustic Corner, Billy Gilman had to cancel his performance because his grandmother died. As a result, John Arthur Martinez was given a double-long set, so that the rest of the schedule wouldn’t be disrupted.
Chris Young, Doug Stone, Jimmy Kish “The Flying Cowboy,” Ty Herndon, Billy Dean, Rachel Williams, TelluRide, Steve Azar, Mustang Creek, Jeff Allen and Joe Nichols were autographing downstairs in the Convention Center. This portion of the festival is still called Fan Fair.
Sommet stage afternoon highlights included Holly Williams, Cowboy Crush and Jonathan Singleton & The Grove. The Family Zone hosted Martina’s annual YWCA Celebrity Auction. Sara Evans was the Q&A attraction in the smaller tent. Sarah Johns, Julia Barton, Deborah Allen and the Pistol trio kept the Hard Rock testosterone free for the first part of the afternoon. Up at Buddy Killen Circle, the Dan McGuiness Irish Pub was rocking to the sounds of the Collin Raye fan club party late in the day.
That evening at LP Field, Josh Turner turned in a terrific, hit-packed set that concluded with “Long Black Train” and “Would You Go with Me.” Leave it to gifted Jamey Johnson’s chutzpah to kick off his show with a lyric that mentions “cocaine and a whore.” His superb, three-song segment had “In Color” as its finale. Jason Michael Carroll did an acoustic set, followed by the luminous Lee Ann Womack, who left us with a swinging “San Antonio Rose.”
Josh Turner performs at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville June 13. Photo: John Russell
Wynonna’s powerful voice tackled everything from Merle Haggard’s “Are the Good Times Really Over” to Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is.” The audience came apart when mama Naomi Judd pranced out for a medley of hits made famous by The Judds. The duo was celebrating its 25th anniversary at the fest. Naomi wiped away tears. They hugged and kissed. Everyone cheered wildly.
For his finale, Trace Adkins took off his cowboy hat, let his long locks fly and brought out a gospel choir to accompany him on “Muddy Water.” He stayed in that righteous mode with the choir on a surprisingly countrified version of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.” Angelic voiced Martina McBride closed out the evening.
Working the hospitality suite were Tim Wipperman, Schatzi Hageman, Jim Rink, Will Rambeaux, Vernell Hackett, Peter Cooper, Allen Brown, Police Chief Ronald Serpas, Lori Badgett, Jason Morris, Michelle Honick, John Styll, Liz Cavanaugh, Ed Salamon, Ed Benson, Brandi Simms, Aaron Hartley and J. Horton Frank.
Bobby Karl Works CMA Music Fest (6/12)
/by Bobby KarlChapter 312-A
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Martina McBride and Kid Rock perform at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville June 12. Photo: John Russell
Friday always seems, to me, to be the busiest day of the CMA Music Festival. On Wednesday and Thursday, the faithful gather. On Saturday and Sunday, they disperse to various Fan Club parties or find other ways to amuse themselves in Nashville “off campus.” But on Friday, they’re still fresh, ready to party and clustered together downtown.
The day was bright and sunny as I hit Lower Broadway. At the Hard Rock stage, brawny Stephen Dale had one couple dancing merrily in front of his stage. Riders in the Sky, who followed, kept the mood upbeat. Back for another year, The Naked Cowboy was entertaining fans in front of Cadillac Ranch, wearing only his boots, hat, guitar and underpants.
The Riverfront stage had the afternoon one-two-three punch of Eric Church, Craig Morgan and Randy Houser, stand-up singers one and all. Eric’s fans screamed wildly and sang along to every song. “Need God? Go to Church,” read one fan’s sign. “Church Revival” read another. With five separate shows, Eric was the most performing artist of the festival.
Taking it all in backstage were Steve Buchanan, John Peets, Judy McDonough and Jeff Walker. Steve had to leave early because Pam Tillis was autographing in Gaylord’s Opry Originals gift shop.
Meanwhile, up in the Convention Center booths, things were hopping. Even as late in the day as 4:00 p.m., Keith Anderson, Joe Nichols, Billy Yates, Donna Fargo, Moore & Moore, Wynonna Judd, Joey & Rory, Ashton Shepherd, Razzy Bailey, Trailer Choir and The Carter Twins were still signing away.
Here’s a sign of the times. Remember that huge book and record shop that took up half of the far wall in the hall? Gone. Instead, there was a postage-stamp sized Barnes & Noble booth with a few dozen selections.
Outside the Hall on 5th Avenue North, the members of Rio Grand were posing for snaps in front of their brightly painted tour bus.
Kate & Kacey were harmonizing on the Sommet Stage. Cherryholmes later ended the day there. The family bluegrass band is that rare act who played both the CMA Music Festival and Bonnaroo last weekend. Inside the Sommet Center’s “needle,” an acoustic stage was set up for the “Second Friday Songbirds” songwriters.
In the smaller Family Zone tent, ABC soap stars were autographing and Chuck Wicks was in the midst of a fan Q&A session. He deftly dodged a query about when he and Julianne Hough will marry. “We’re happy with our relationship the way it is,” he said. He also suggested that the thing to do might be to wed during next year’s event. “Wouldn’t that be a festival?” he asked the fans. Behind him, in the big Family Zone tent, yodeling Taylor Ware and others were making “country music for kids.”
Lady Antebellum performs at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville June 12. Photo: John Russell
Big-head Cabbage Patch Kids characters were posing for photos. One Family Zone tent was for gathering citizens’ used musical instruments for use in Metro schools. Over at the nearby Rutledge on 4th Avenue South, former American Idol rocker Bo Bice hosted his first fan club party as a country performer.
That night at LP Field, Mayor Karl Dean & Ann Davis, Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, Tim Nichols, Stuart Dill, Mike Sistad, Lynn Aurelius, Drew Alexander, Anthony Smith and more worked the hospitality suite. Hank Adam Locklin helped Jo Walker Meador to a prime seat and served her beverages. Linda Davis & Lang Scott were there to watch daughter Hillary Scott do her thing in Lady Antebellum. Lang had his business cards for Musiccitynetworks.com, a company “by artists, for artists” that handles websites, brand management and merchandise.
Lady A performed splendidly, as did Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean and The Zac Brown Band. Rodney Atkins sang a snippet of “I Can See Clearly Now” as an intro to “If You’re Going Through Hell.” Martina McBride turned up to sing “Picture” with concert closer Kid Rock.