Today’s the day. CMA Music Festival has official started throughout downtown Nashville. For this wondrous occasion we thought it was only right to give you a complete guide filled with food, shopping, Fan Fair X, and the full lineups. Have fun out there. Also, don’t forget to bring sunblock, an extra sharpie for all the autographs, and plenty of water. It’s going to be HOT!
Food
As you know, or should, CMA Music Festival occurs throughout Downtown Nashville and there’s plenty of places that will help fill your stomach. If you are looking for good southern cooking check out Puckett’s, Southern Steak & Oyster, or Jack’s Bar-B-Que. If you need an amazing sandwich then check out Frothy Monkey. And you can’t go wrong with Merchant’s, Capitol Grille, or The Stock-Yard. Plus, most if not all, the honky tonks offer cuisine to fill your needs. Last, but not least there are plenty of pop-up shops that are selling food to the masses.
If you need a little more check out: visitmusiccity.com/food via Visit Music City.
Shopping
You might want to snag a souvenir while in town? Or maybe you’re looking for some awesome Nashville items? Well look no further than the Music City Marketplace. It’s located at 501 Broadway inside Bridgestone Arena. There, you can cool off from the heat, grab some information from the unbelievable staff, listen to live music, and purchase an awesome gift or new prized possession. And Erich Church is opening up a pop-up shop over in East Nashville called The Outsiders Joint. The store will offer rare and unique items like autographed concert posters, drum heads, vinyl, These Boots by Lucchese, and more. The proceeds from specialty items (not including the sales of Lucchese boots) will benefit the Chief Cares Fund.
For a complete list of Nashville’s Shopping Scene check out: visitmusiccity.com/nashvilleshopping.
Fan Fair X
Fan Fair X (FFX) is filled to the roof with Artist-Fan Connections, Performance Stages, Fan Fair History Walk, Shopping, Daily Entertainment, and Artist and Country Artifacts. Fan Fair X admission is included with all CMA Music Festival 4-day tickets. Single-day Fan Fair X Tickets can also be purchased for $10 per day. And for the first time, fans can purchase a Fan Fair X Ticket Package for $39.95 that includes a 4-day pass to Fan Fair X and a general admission ticket to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (good for single-day admission, valid until December 31, 2015). Stop by Nashville Booth #640 to meet the stars, get Nashville information, and enter to win Music City giveaways! See the autograph signing schedule at the Nashville Booth.
Full Lineups
There will be seven stages placed throughout Downtown Nashville blasting out the tunes you wish to hear during CMA Music Festival. Not to mention the Nightly Concerts featuring Country Music’s biggest acts. Just take a look below at the lineups. But don’t forget, sometimes the stars like to do pop-up concerts. For instance, last year Hunter Hayes and Dan + Shay played surprise shows that were FREE in front of Nashville attractions like the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. You just never know what might happen.
NIGHTLY CONCERTS
The stars come out at night. Each night, LP Field lights up with Nightly Concerts from some of your favorite artists. The 2015 CMA Music Festival’s lineup includes:
Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, Alan Jackson, Oak Ridge Boys, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Neal McCoy, Sam Hunt, Brett Eldredge, Carrie Underwood, Wynonna and Thomas Rhett.
CHEVROLET RIVERFRONT STAGE
The Chevrolet Riverfront Stage is the epicenter of daytime music with a must-see lineup that includes:
Aaron Watson, Ashley Monroe, Big Smo, Canaan Smith, Cassadee Pope, Charles Esten, Chase Rice, Clay Walker, Craig Campbell, Craig Wayne Boyd, Dan + Shay, Darryl Worley, Dustin Lynch, Eric Paslay, Gary Allan, Jack Ingram, Jason Michael Carroll, Kellie Pickler, Kristian Bush, Lonestar, Lorrie Morgan, Maddie & Tae, Maggie Rose, Montgomery Gentry, Parmalee, Phil Vassar, RaeLynn, Restless Heart, Rodney Atkins, Scotty McCreery, Tanya Tucker, The Cadillac Three, The Swon Brothers, and Thompson Square.
BUD LIGHT PLAZA STAGE
Located just outside Bridgestone Arena is the Bud Light Plaza Stage blaring the tunes for all to hear. This year’s lineup includes:
A Thousand Horses, Ashley Campbell, Brooke Eden, Brothers Osbourne, Bucky Covington, Cam, Casey Donahew Band, Chris Janson, Clare Dunn, Dallas Smith, David Fanning, David Lee Murphy, Dean Alexander, Deana Carter, Drake White & The Big Fire, Gwen Sebastian, Jamie Lynn Spears, Jana Kramer, JT Hodges, Keith Anderson, Kelleigh Bannen, Kelsea Ballerini, LoCash, Love & Theft, Marshall Tucker Band, Michael Ray, Mo Pitney, Natalie Stovall & The Drive, Native Run, Ruthie Collins, Steven Lee Olsen, Striking Matches, The Grascals, The Lacs, Trick Pony, and William Michael Morgan.
BELK PARK STAGE
Head on over to the Belk Park Stage, in between the Hilton Suites and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, to catch some rest on a hammock, play a game of cornhole, and hear great live music. The lineup includes:
Adam Craig, Amber Hayes, Austin Webb, Blackjack Billy, Chris Carmack, Chuck Wicks, Dylan Scott, Friends of Lola, Greg Bates, Haley & Michaels, Home Free, Jackie Lee, Jeff Bates, Joey Hyde, John King, Kentucky Headhunters, Lanco, Laura Bell Bundy, Lauren Alaina, Lindsay Ell, Lucas Hoge, Lyndsey Highlander, Mac Powell, Mark Collie, Outshyne, Rainey Qualley, Rick Monroe, Ryan Kinder, Stella James, Sunny Sweeney, Tate Stevens, The Cleverlys, The Henningsens, The Steeldrivers, Tim Montana and the Shrednecks, and Waterloo Revival.
BMI TAILGATE PARTY
This beautiful stage is perfect for getting ready for the nightly concerts, as it is located just outside Gates 8 and 9 of LP Field. The lineup includes:
Bri Bagwell, Caitlyn Smith, Charlie Worsham, Chris Lane, Danielle Bradbery, DJ DU, Emi Sunshine, Haley Georgia, Hannah Baylock, Josh Dorr, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Mitch Roselle, Mitchell Tenpenny, Muddy Magnolias, Rhett Akins, Sammy Arriaga, Sonia Leigh, Sundy Best, Tucker Beathard, and Will Hoge.
CHEVROLET ROADHOUSE STAGE
Witness the newest must-see acts in Country Music at the Chevrolet Roadhouse Stage between Third and Fourth Avenue. Check out the lineup:
Amanda Watkins, Ashla Taylor, Brad Blackburn, Brett Young, Bryson Jennings, Carlton Anderson, Chancie Neal, Chris Bandi, Chris Cavanaugh, CJ Solar, Clampett, David Ray, Devin Clemons, Dexter Roberts, Erica Nicole, Hailey Whitters, Hannah Dasher, Hunter Phelps, Jacob Davis, Jameson Rodgers, Jesse Keith Whitley, Jeston Cade, Joe Hall, Josh Mirenda, Joshua Okeefe, Kalisa Ewing, Lauren Jenkins, Leslie Cours Mather, Loving Mary, Luke Bell, Mary Sarah, Matt Mason, Megan & Liz, Mitchell Lee, Nick Strums, Patrick Thomas, Rachel Holder, Rose Falcon and the Van Lears, Ryan Griffin, Steve Clawson, The Brothers Roberson, The Shuggah Pies, and Venessa Bransan.
GILDAN BROADWAY STAGE AT HARD ROCK CAFE
At Nashville’s own Hard Rock Cafe is the Gildan Broadway Stage blaring the music you want to here. See the lineup:
Aaron Parker, Adam Sanders, Ben Gallaher, Branch & Dean, Brandon Lay, Brent Rupard, Brian Davis, Brooke Hogan, Cole Taylor, Courtney Cole, Drew Baldridge, Erik Dylan, Exile, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Halfway to Hazard, Jason Powell, Jaida Dreyer, John & Jacob, John Wesley Satterfield, Jon Langston, Justin Adams, Kristen Kelly, MamaDear, Matthew & Gunnar Nelson, McKenzies Mill, Michael Taylor, Michaelis, Mike Ryan, Mockingbird, Old Southern, Randy Montana, Ray Scott, Sam Grow, Smithfield, Stephanie Quayle, and The Cains.
VISITOR CENTER STAGE
Step out of the heat and into the air-conditioning. The Nashville Visitor Center, inside the Bridgestone Arena. Step inside, cool off, listen to the free live music, and do a little Music City shopping! Here’s the lineup:
David Andersen, Erica Nicole, Jordyn Stoddard, Adley Stump, Nu-Blu, The Roys, Denny Strickland, Leslie Cours Mather, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Kirstie Lovelady, Les Kerr,Rick Monroe, Kayla Adams, Branch & Dean, Lucas Hoge, CMR Nashville Radio International Showcase, Allison Bray, Savannah Berry, Ashliegh Lisset, Jordyn Mallory, Peachy Pyron, Risa Binder, Emily Minor, Taylor Edwards, The Morrison Brothers Band, Katie Ohh, Taylor Watson,Colby Dee, and Paul Malysa with Les Graham. AND there will be some additional special guests that will grace the Music City Visitor Center Stage during CMA Music Festival. So, come on by and don’t miss a second of the action.