All Things CMA Fest!!!

[NicoleErin]

I know USC Psycho and a few others are in Nashville now, for this years CMA Fest, but like festivalfan suggested, I'm going to start a thread.

Amy got our tickets for 2010, and we got floor section J, row 22, seats 8-10. Next year we'll camp out for Gold Circle!

[IheartMillerLite]

Wow, I can't believe they are on sale already. With my job I can't plan that far ahead. =(

[squirmysteph]

That's insane planning ahead! haha. It'd be really cool to go though!

[uscpsycho]

That's nothing. I had to pay for my 2010 Gold Circle tickets at least a month ago. I hate that they make you pay for the following year's tickets before this year's festival happens.

One thing that sucks eggs this year is that Gold Circle members no longer get to cut to the front of the photo line and that was a HUUUUUUUGE perk. If enough people complain they'll bring that back. I hope they do!

So who else got tickets???

[NicoleErin]

Wow, I can't believe they are on sale already. With my job I can't plan that far ahead. =(

Yeah! i'm hoping to have moved on and found another job by then too. Ill have to wait and see. I've also been saying that for years...

[honkytonkangel]

Just got back from NASHVILLE yesterday!!! HOLY CMA FEST!!! Best time of my life!! I FELL IN LOVE with Nashville!

I'm at work so I can't post much but soon I will post a journal and my photo album!!

Hey Mr Psycho...did you stay for the show on Thurs nite??!?!?! :p

I MISS NASHVILLE!!! :(

[Chevgirl357]

Just got back from NASHVILLE yesterday!!! HOLY CMA FEST!!! Best time of my life!! I FELL IN LOVE with Nashville!

I'm at work so I can't post much but soon I will post a journal and my photo album!!

Hey Mr Psycho...did you stay for the show on Thurs nite??!?!?! :p

I MISS NASHVILLE!!! :(

Can't wait to see the pics!

[uscpsycho]

Just got back from NASHVILLE yesterday!!! HOLY CMA FEST!!! Best time of my life!! I FELL IN LOVE with Nashville!

I'm at work so I can't post much but soon I will post a journal and my photo album!!

Hey Mr Psycho...did you stay for the show on Thurs nite??!?!?! :p

I MISS NASHVILLE!!! :(

Hell yes, I stayed on Thursday. But I ended up missing the Blake Shelton fan party which I heard was awesome. Did you stay?

I can relate to how you feel about Nashville. I remember my first time there I loved it so much I was literally writing down phone number for condos I saw for sale. I would so loooove to move to Nashville! But I know it wouldn't be such a magical place if I lived there. I have vowed to visit at least once more before the next CMA Fest.

About Thursday - That was the first crazy story of the weekend. Reba was only the second act that night and Storme Warren comes on stage to cut her off right after her second song. He said that FEMA warned there was a massive storm and tornado warnings heading right for us and we only had nine minutes to clear the stadium. This was about 8:30pm.

They said they would do everything possible to restart the concert after the rain passed but we were pretty sure they wouldn't because they were pulling just about everything in sight off the stage. Well, the rain didn't start for more than two hours after we evacuated.

Once the storm passed they started letting us back down about midnight and the show started around 12:30, so we endured a 4.5 hour rain delay. By that time Rascal Flatts had left the building, allegedly because they had a show somewhere else the next night and couldn't spare the time to wait. Everyone else performed (abbreviated sets) and we got out about 2am thanks to the city waiving the noise ordinance. By the time we got downtown it was time for last call at all the bars so that was a buzz kill.

So that's how CMA Fest 2009 started and why you shouldn't have a guy named Storme as the host.

[Chevgirl357]

Hell yes, I stayed on Thursday. But I ended up missing the Blake Shelton fan party which I heard was awesome. Did you stay?

I can relate to how you feel about Nashville. I remember my first time there I loved it so much I was literally writing down phone number for condos I saw for sale. I would so loooove to move to Nashville! But I know it wouldn't be such a magical place if I lived there. I have vowed to visit at least once more before the next CMA Fest.

About Thursday - That was the first crazy story of the weekend. Reba was only the second act that night and Storme Warren comes on stage to cut her off right after her second song. He said that FEMA warned there was a massive storm and tornado warnings heading right for us and we only had nine minutes to clear the stadium. This was about 8:30pm.

They said they would do everything possible to restart the concert after the rain passed but we were pretty sure they wouldn't because they were pulling just about everything in sight off the stage. Well, the rain didn't start for more than two hours after we evacuated.

Once the storm passed they started letting us back down about midnight and the show started around 12:30, so we endured a 4.5 hour rain delay. By that time Rascal Flatts had left the building, allegedly because they had a show somewhere else the next night and couldn't spare the time to wait. Everyone else performed (abbreviated sets) and we got out about 2am thanks to the city waiving the noise ordinance. By the time we got downtown it was time for last call at all the bars so that was a buzz kill.

So that's how CMA Fest 2009 started and why you shouldn't have a guy named Storme as the host.

LOL, that sounds crazy. What a bummer! So deegee and I looked for you on the CMT awards. I didn't see ANY cowboy hats, were they not allowing them?

[uscpsycho]

LOL, that sounds crazy. What a bummer! So deegee and I looked for you on the CMT awards. I didn't see ANY cowboy hats, were they not allowing them?

No I had the hat on. There was at least one overhead shot where I looked at the monitor and saw my hat on TV but it was from behind. Another friend said he saw me with my camera out taking pictures. I was three people back from the very front, right at the end of the stage runway. I got some great shots of the performers when they came to the end of the runway.

Weather sucks today and my flight is already delayed 20 minutes. That sucks because IME one delay begets further delays.

[NicoleErin]

oohhh! I didn't know you were going to the CMT Awards too!

Where did you stay? Are your hotel reservations already made for next year yet? I LOVED Nashville when I was there a few years ago and I have also said I wanted to move there...but just yesterday I was telling a friend how it probably wouldn't be so cool if I lived there. Who knows.

[Chevgirl357]

No I had the hat on. There was at least one overhead shot where I looked at the monitor and saw my hat on TV but it was from behind. Another friend said he saw me with my camera out taking pictures. I was three people back from the very front, right at the end of the stage runway. I got some great shots of the performers when they came to the end of the runway.

Weather sucks today and my flight is already delayed 20 minutes. That sucks because IME one delay begets further delays.

Man the weather there sounds AWFUL! And you're missing the first sunny days here all month! Crossing my fingers your plane gets off quickly and safely.

[uscpsycho]

oohhh! I didn't know you were going to the CMT Awards too!

Where did you stay? Are your hotel reservations already made for next year yet? I LOVED Nashville when I was there a few years ago and I have also said I wanted to move there...but just yesterday I was telling a friend how it probably wouldn't be so cool if I lived there. Who knows.
This year I stayed at the Hampton Inn Vanderbilt West End. I don't have next year's hotel booked and don't know how early I can book a hotel for next year. I'd like to get a hotel that's actually in downtown next year but I always book too late.

Last year we stayed at the Indigo which was nice and the year before we made a serious noob mistake and stayed at HoJo a few miles away.

Man the weather there sounds AWFUL! And you're missing the first sunny days here all month! Crossing my fingers your plane gets off quickly and safely.
Weather in Nashville is always crazy. I think this is the first year that it didn't rain during the day on any festival which was nice. But Thursday's four hour rain delay more than made up for that.

My plane got a second delay but I'm about to leave the hotel and hope it doesn't get delayed too much more, I have a meeting tonight.

Oh, and I discovered the greatest burger & fries in the world yesterday -- Five Guys Burgers and Fries. I never eat crap like that but said "what the hell" yesterday, I deserve a cheat day. It was sooo good I hit the hotel gym when I got back after midnight for a second workout so that I could have Five Guys for lunch again today. Mmmmmmm Seriously thinking about getting a franchise out west if I can find a partner or two.

Sad to leave Nashville but after eight days here ready to go back home.

[unclefeiny]

Oh, and I discovered the greatest burger & fries in the world yesterday -- Five Guys Burgers and Fries. I never eat crap like that but said "what the hell" yesterday, I deserve a cheat day. It was sooo good I hit the hotel gym when I got back after midnight for a second workout so that I could have Five Guys for lunch again today. Mmmmmmm Seriously thinking about getting a franchise out west if I can find a partner or two.

I always eat crap like that, just make sure to add chili and cheese to the fries or it's not even worth it.

[Chevgirl357]

Oh, and I discovered the greatest burger & fries in the world yesterday -- Five Guys Burgers and Fries. I never eat crap like that but said "what the hell" yesterday, I deserve a cheat day. It was sooo good I hit the hotel gym when I got back after midnight for a second workout so that I could have Five Guys for lunch again today. Mmmmmmm Seriously thinking about getting a franchise out west if I can find a partner or two.

Sad to leave Nashville but after eight days here ready to go back home.

I have friends on the east coast and they RAVE about that burger place. Sounds like a good investment!

[deegee83]

Obama was filmed recently going to Five Guys in DC, in fact....I bet it is awesome!

I recorded the CMTs so when we are at my place for OTL we can look for psycho in the crowd.

I say one shot for every white tank top should be the CMT awards drinkiing game, LOL....

[MISSMARIANNE]

This year I stayed at the Hampton Inn Vanderbilt West End. I don't have next year's hotel booked and don't know how early I can book a hotel for next year. I'd like to get a hotel that's actually in downtown next year but I always book too late.

Last year we stayed at the Indigo which was nice and the year before we made a serious noob mistake and stayed at HoJo a few miles away.

Weather in Nashville is always crazy. I think this is the first year that it didn't rain during the day on any festival which was nice. But Thursday's four hour rain delay more than made up for that.

My plane got a second delay but I'm about to leave the hotel and hope it doesn't get delayed too much more, I have a meeting tonight.

Oh, and I discovered the greatest burger & fries in the world yesterday -- Five Guys Burgers and Fries. I never eat crap like that but said "what the hell" yesterday, I deserve a cheat day. It was sooo good I hit the hotel gym when I got back after midnight for a second workout so that I could have Five Guys for lunch again today. Mmmmmmm Seriously thinking about getting a franchise out west if I can find a partner or two.

Sad to leave Nashville but after eight days here ready to go back home.

Funny..............I was just reading about Five Guys Burger in the Daily Breeze today! (local newspaper) We actually have 2! 1 in Carson and 1 in Cerritos!:)

Here's my 2 cent tip for those of you who've never been to the CMA Fest but thinking about planning for next year:
I've only been there once and not knowing any better, stayed at Opryland - awesome hotel but too far from the downtown action. The Renaissance on 6th and Commerce is a perfect location. Just 1 block from Broadway and walking distance to the Riverfront stages and LP Field!
Just a heads up - getting hotel reservations downtown for CMA week is not easy - so plan early! I just looked at The Renaissance website and the 2nd week in June 2010 is not yet available for booking - think I'll give them a call!

[Chevgirl357]

Funny..............I was just reading about Five Guys Burger in the Daily Breeze today! (local newspaper) We actually have 2! 1 in Carson and 1 in Cerritos!:)



There's one in Cerritos??? That's close by, I'll have to check it out!

[KittyLeigh]

WOW - crazy how far in advance that tickets go on sale! Nutso!

I love Nashville as well, and would also love to move there. But I think you MIGHT be right about it losing it's being so "magical" if you actually lived there. I dunno?!

[uscpsycho]

Funny..............I was just reading about Five Guys Burger in the Daily Breeze today! (local newspaper) We actually have 2! 1 in Carson and 1 in Cerritos!:)

Here's my 2 cent tip for those of you who've never been to the CMA Fest but thinking about planning for next year:
I've only been there once and not knowing any better, stayed at Opryland - awesome hotel but too far from the downtown action. The Renaissance on 6th and Commerce is a perfect location. Just 1 block from Broadway and walking distance to the Riverfront stages and LP Field!
Just a heads up - getting hotel reservations downtown for CMA week is not easy - so plan early! I just looked at The Renaissance website and the 2nd week in June 2010 is not yet available for booking - think I'll give them a call!
There are lots of hotels downtown that are walking distance to LP, any of them will do IF IF IF you can get a reservation there.

If anyone gets wind of when we can reserve please post!

Even if you don't get a hotel that's right downtown there are some that are up West End that are walking distance if you aren't too lazy to walk for 20 minutes. I walked often for extra exercise.

[uscpsycho]

I have to add that one of my new favorite artists are Joey + Rory. Every year there are one or two artists that jump to the top of my list after I see them at CMA. This year Joey + Rory were just about my favorite performance.

They are incredibly cute to watch. They didn't even have a band, they either did everything acoustic or played backup music from their iPod. They literally had a stool for their iPod and cued up their band whenever they needed full backup.

They also had some hilarious songs that unfortunately are not on their album.

I've seen Martina a couple of times before but this CMA performance was her best yet. She got an ovation that was so long it literally brought her to tears. Never seen something quite like that before, it was like the audience was trying to break her. Hopefully they can replicate that in the TV special.

BTW - The TV special this year will be three hours this year instead of two hours. That's awesome because it's hard to squeeze four days of awesomeness into two hours (or even three). I'm sure ABC is not happy about the fact that Rascal Flatts didn't perform after the rain delay so they won't be in the show.

Also, they moved the charity celebrity softball game to Wednesday night so I got to go this year. It was a lot of fun!

[honkytonkangel]

Hells yeah we stayed for the show on Thurs nite!! It was freaking AWESOME!!!

I am not a huge "gotta see the stars" kinda person so we didn't care about any autographs or meet an greets and such. Too many bar stools to sit on, beers to drink, floors to cut up, and so little time!! Haha!! God, we hit every bar on Broadway at least once, sometimes more than once in one day! Legends and Tootsies being our favorites!

Our hotel was the Courtyard Marriott over by the airport. It was really nice! I tried for MONTHS to book hotels closer to downtown but they would say that the timeframe was not available for booking. Then next thing you know, its sold out or way out of our price range. We rented a car and it was only a 10 min ride or so downtown. And we had a parking permit so we just dumped the car at the field and walked over the river and started our day!

As far as I could tell, the only way to really get reasonably priced hotels downtown was to go thru those companies that have the package deals. They didn't look too bad. I wished I had known that BEFORE I had bought my tickets last year. Oh well. Next time!

Highlight performances for me:

Jamey Johnson doing "In Color" literally gave me goosebumps. Magic.

ZBB doing Chicken Fried...holy shit I have never seen an audience got SO INTO IT! LOVED IT! And then when they did Devil goes down to GA.....they SERIOUSLY brought the house down with that! UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Martina.....wow...just wow....POWERHOUSE!! her voice is something you EXPERIENCE!! I am not a HUGE Martina fan, I like some of her songs but never would have paid to go to her show. UNTIL NOW. She was incredible and has pipes like none other! I LOVED IT!! And she was so sincere in her emotions, it was really awesome. We lost our voices screaming for her! Ha!

WORST PERFORMANCE:

Taylor freaking Swift!!! That was hands down THE worst performance I have EVER seen by a "HUGE STAR".....She has the most GOD AWFUL stage presence and that VOICE! UGH. Like someone was stepping on a cats tail!! I have never had to LITERALLY COVER MY EARS at a concert before! And WTF was up with all her writhing on that piano?!?! Who told her that was attractive?!?! It was so akward and uncomfortable...total TRAIN WRECK. And TRUST ME, I was ready to give her a chance, let her prove me wrong about her abilities, when she literally cast it in stone that she is AWFUL.

And the scary part was, the crowd was LOVING IT! WTF?!?! We couldn't believe it. I felt like it was a modern day version of the Emperor's Clothes. No joke.

All in all best trip ever! Taylor Swift and all!! Hahaha!!!

[NicoleErin]

I am not a huge "gotta see the stars" kinda person so we didn't care about any autographs or meet an greets and such. Too many bar stools to sit on, beers to drink, floors to cut up, and so little time!! Haha!! God, we hit every bar on Broadway at least once, sometimes more than once in one day! Legends and Tootsies being our favorites!

Our hotel was the Courtyard Marriott over by the airport. It was really nice! I tried for MONTHS to book hotels closer to downtown but they would say that the timeframe was not available for booking. Then next thing you know, its sold out or way out of our price range. We rented a car and it was only a 10 min ride or so downtown. And we had a parking permit so we just dumped the car at the field and walked over the river and started our day!



Legends was my fave when I was out there!

Do the hotels know when they "open" to start booking for that time of year? Please let me know ASAP!

We already got our tickets, so I wonder if those companies have just flight and hotel deals or anything?!

[honkytonkangel]

Legends was my fave when I was out there!

Do the hotels know when they "open" to start booking for that time of year? Please let me know ASAP!

We already got our tickets, so I wonder if those companies have just flight and hotel deals or anything?!

I was only looking online and there was never any mention as to how far out they would start booking rooms. Also I think those package deals eat up alot of the rooms downtown. But that might be just how I see it.

From what I saw, the package deals only included hotel and tickets.....I can't remember if you had said you had gone to Fanfair before but it is worth every friggin cent! Even though your wallet will be hurting! Haha!!