We were honoured to receive acceptance for TWO media passes at the 2024 CMA Fest in Nashville, TN. As Editor, I’m so excited to experience this event I aspired to attend for so many years. I’ve started walking and squatting to keep up with the momentum.

After a record year for Country Music, CMA Fest is set to be an event like no other for music fans. From free outdoor performances throughout downtown Nashville to can’t-miss lineups at Nissan Stadium and Ascend Amphitheater, attendees can catch hundreds of artists across 10 stages throughout the four-day festival, take part in special meet-and-greet moments with artists at Fan Fair X inside Music City Center, and experience the many unique activations along Nashville’s iconic Broadway.

The nightly shows at Nissan Stadium will see some of the biggest stars in Country Music, including Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Jordan Davis, HARDY, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, The War And Treaty, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman. 

While we’re not provided media for the Nissan Stadium, we allow to attend the Ascend Amphitheater which will feature amazing talent.

On Thursday, “Celebrating 60 Years of Curb Records” kicks off the Ascend nightly concerts with Lee Brice, Sawyer Brown, Rodney Atkins, Dylan Scott, Hannah Ellis, Tim Dugger, Pitney Meyer, Harper Grace and Kelsey Hart.

“Brett Young and Friends” will take the stage Friday night, hosted by Danae Hays, with performances by Brett Young, NEEDTOBREATHE, Restless Road, Shaylen and more, plus special appearances by Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw and Charles Kelley.

Rounding out the nighttime concerts on Saturday is “Tracy Lawrence and Friends” featuring Tracy Lawrence, Riley Green, Chris Young, Maddie & Tae, Priscilla Block, RaeLynn and Charles Esten.

Eek! So pumped to see so many artists I’ve never seen before and the plethora of Canadian Talent playing the other stages within Downtown Nashville!

And then there is the infamous Fan Fair that includes a conversation with none other than DOLLY PARTON! OMG!

This year, global superstar Dolly Parton will kick off Fan Fair X on Thursday morning, welcoming Country Music fans from around the world to take part in a very special conversation on the CMA Close Up Stage. Fans also won’t want to miss Parton’s ALL ACCESS!

Fan Fair X will welcome some of Country’s hottest stars featured as CMA Fest Artists of the Day—Cody Johnson takes the CMA Close Up Stage on Friday, Thomas Rhett on Saturday, and Lainey Wilson on Sunday.

CMA Close Up Stage highlights include:

  • Thursday, June 6 Kick Off – Dolly Parton hosted by Rachel Smith
  • Friday, June 7 Artist of the Day – Cody Johnson hosted by Cody Alan
  • Saturday, June 8 Artist of the Day – Thomas Rhett on “Country Heat Weekly” LIVE
  • Sunday, June 9 Artist of the Day – Lainey Wilson hosted by a special guest
  • Enlisted: Where Music Meets Military with Craig Morgan and Gary Sinise
  • Jake Owen: A Barefoot Blue Jean… Afternoon
  • “Got it from My Momma” with Lauren Akins
  • Old Dominion: “Good Times, Great Odies”
  • Sam Hunt on “Country Heat Weekly” LIVE
  • Latin Roots: The ‘Equis’ Factor in Country Music with Frank Ray, Angie K, Leah Turner, Louie TheSinger and Sammy Arriaga hosted by Tomás Mier
  • Country Central Presents: Midland, Kashus Culpepper, Maggie Antone and Tucker Wetmore
  • 50 Years at The Opry House, hosted by Mark Wills with fellow Opry Members Jeannie Seely and Larry Gatlin & more
  • Idol Hour with Chayce Beckham, HunterGirl, Colin Stough and “American Idol” ’24 Winner and Runner-Up
  • Charles Esten: Deacon, Ward & Love Ain’t Pretty
  • Song Suffragettes with Alison Nichols, Callista Clark, Cyndi Thomson, Matraca Berg and Melissa Fuller
  • Carly Pearce on “Country Heat Weekly” LIVE
  • Soulcial Hour with Mickey Guyton + Friends
  • Nate Smith on “Country Heat Weekly” LIVE
  • Black Opry Presents Willie Jones, Denitia, Jett Holden, Carmen Dianne and Aaron Vance

Hitting the acoustic Spotlight Stage inside Fan Fair X from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM Thursday through Saturday and 11:00 AM-4:00 PM on Sunday are Abbie Callahan, Adam Mac, Andrew Swift, Ashley Ryan, Boomtown Saints, Cale Tyson, Camille Parker, Carson Wallace, Charly Reynolds, Conor Clemmons, Dillon James, Dzaki Sukarno, The Heels, Holdyn Barder, Ian Harrison, Jacquie Roar, Jarvis Redd, JD Shelburne, Jenny Teator, Kezia Gill, Lane Pittman, Leah Turner, Michael Warren, Nice Horse, Orlando Mendez, Remember Monday, Ryan Larkins, Sacha, Sasha McVeigh, Scoot Teasley, Taylor Moss, Taylor-Rae, Teigan Gayse, Valerie Ponzio, Veronique Medrano, Wade Forster, Wardel and Zach John King.

Related Images: