CMA Fest Block Party Kick Off Friday... Who Has Been In The Past

[horsephotographer]

Parade, Block Party Kick Off CMA Fest

The 2008 CMA Music Festival officially gets underway with the Fourth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade and the Third Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party in downtown Nashville, June 4.

Who else has been to this great event...????
Love to hear all the stories .I know there are lots if you are big country fans.
It has to be the super bowl of country events....
Ohhh I wish I was in Nashville this week

[Rose]

I wish I was there this week in Nashville. They had signs up everywhere advertising the event and the line-up looked amazing.

I'm craving me some Memphis ribs.

[horsephotographer]

I wish I was there this week in Nashville. They had signs up everywhere advertising the event and the line-up looked amazing.

I'm craving me some Memphis ribs.

ok your on...
You and I next year.....
I'll shoot for charity and you can be my side kick and we will have sooooo much fun.
It is a blast....
West Coast has stagecoach and then there is CMA fest week....
Crazy bars and singing with them all right in the streets...
No need for gold circle there....
It's golden everwhere...

[hillbillyRockstar]

I have been lucky enough to attend this (Fan Fair).

I went back in the olden days (2005 ha ha).

It was so much fun, and I would love to go again, but it is a huge vacation to go.

This is really the ultimate country music fan experience.

[Rose]

HBRS - so it's worth signing up for. Once in a lifetime experience?

How was the cost? Airfare nowadays? Hotel? Concert tickets?

[horsephotographer]

Yes...
It is a life time event...
What was your favorite places in Nashville..???
The prices or not to bad a little out of Nashville love a little town outside called Galletin and so much to do ...
Southwest had specials flying into Nashville for 199.00 round trip out of Ontario ...
Always check there specials.
Everyone at the airport are so nice.I cry every time I leave that city...
It is beautiful..
OK makes me want that second home again??lol

[hillbillyRockstar]

HBRS - so it's worth signing up for. Once in a lifetime experience?

How was the cost? Airfare nowadays? Hotel? Concert tickets?

Yeah, it is just a once in a lifetime (depending on where you live of course).

I said it was a "huge vacation" because that means cost, time, and logistics.

Cost is relative. I flew first class with my airlines points, but then rented the best car and stayed at the Hermitage Hotel (so maybe all of this is why it was so fun?).

You can do it for cheap though. Ticket prices I think are just what Stagecoach was or even under.

I skimped on the "going out" in Nashville though. But, one thing I wanted to do was go to a Waffle House so I did that twice--which they were here and go to a Shoney's (sp?) which we did to. Both of these places are mentioned in country songs or shown in country videos so that's why I wanted to go.

It is easier venuse-wise. There is only one stage at a time and then stuff to do if you don't want to see who's on at that time. Then, there's the autographing and fan convention, and the photo lines during the concerts that you don't get anywhere else (that I know of).

I love the nighttime concerts because there are two stages set up side-by-side so one is getting ready while the other is playing--you don't have to wait long at all between artists.

Fireworks after every nightime show

[Rose]

Thanks for the info HBRS.

I like that one stage idea during the day and then side by side at night to keep it moving.

Downtown Nashville was pretty cool and I would like to take a walking tour instead of the bus one we did but we were only there for a day and had to do and see as much as possible.

LOL - wafflehouse would NOT be considered splurging. One of my favorite greasy spoons to eat at. Love the smothered, covered and scattered hash browns.

My first time eating at a Bob Evans (really good)

[horsephotographer]

Thanks for the info HBRS.

I like that one stage idea during the day and then side by side at night to keep it moving.

Downtown Nashville was pretty cool and I would like to take a walking tour instead of the bus one we did but we were only there for a day and had to do and see as much as possible.

LOL - waffle house would NOT be considered splurging. One of my favorite greasy spoons to eat at. Love the smothered, covered and scattered hash browns.

My first time eating at a Bob Evans (really good)

omg the last time I ate at the waffle house was in Alabama at a horse show watching my Arab stallion....
Wow great food but a funny crowd...
Kinda like a denny's....
The bar across the street even the girls were dancing with beer in their back pockets...
Now Bob Evans a good step up more like chili's.....
Ok now I'm off track....
Anyways not only to they have the event but all the cool bars in town with great bands and singers and party... all night...
It is so much fun...Oh yeah no dirt or sand did I mention that?

[horsephotographer]

HBRS - so it's worth signing up for. Once in a lifetime experience?

How was the cost? Airfare nowadays? Hotel? Concert tickets?

it kind of depends mostly on hotel... if you want to be in one of the hotels right downtown where all the action is you will pay quite a bit... with prices going up every year this year the per night rate was between like $350 and $450 thats if you could even find a room... I would say most people stay 5 nights which just on those rooms alone you are looking at around $2000 then the tickets flight/gas etc... I usually spend around $2500... however this year I downsized went a little farther out of town about a daily drive of 20 minutes... and should come in at spending less than $1000. So it just depends on how much you want to spend...
Rose here is info on cost this year..


Just as I suspected drive out 20min and save a ton...
Hope this helps...
Wow sounds like same cost as Nationals trip in the horse world...

[socalcountrygrl]

I Have Been Every Other Year For The Past Ten Years....BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!!! So Much 2 See and Do, People Are Great and Very Organized!! Worth Every Penny Spent & There Is No Other Event In The World Where You Can Squeeze In So....Much Country Music/Fans!!!

[socalcountrygrl]

My Best Experience Has Been Going Through A Travel Agent/Tour Operator. Stayed At The Opryland Hotel With Free Shuttle Service All 4 Days. The CMA Fest Website Has The Official Booking Agent & They Give You A Welcome Package That Includes Collector Program & Pin....Plus Tons Of Freebies!! Anyone Who Gets The Chance To Go Shud Definately Do It!!

[Rose]

I walked through the Opryland Hotel on my last trip and that place is HUGH and very nice.

[horsephotographer]

My Best Experience Has Been Going Through A Travel Agent/Tour Operator. Stayed At The Opryland Hotel With Free Shuttle Service All 4 Days. The CMA Fest Website Has The Official Booking Agent & They Give You A Welcome Package That Includes Collector Program & Pin....Plus Tons Of Freebies!! Anyone Who Gets The Chance To Go Shud Definately Do It!!

I stayed at Opryland last visit also.It just way to big and hard to find your room for me...
Great lobby and lots to do though...
The bruch and the music trio coming table to table was amazing
I know that you must have had a great time..
I love all of Nashville area....

[hillbillyRockstar]

I might like to try the Opryland deal next time I get to go. Last time I stayed at the Hermitage Hotel which was close enough for us to just walk there each time.

[horsephotographer]

I might like to try the Opryland deal next time I get to go. Last time I stayed at the Hermitage Hotel which was close enough for us to just walk there each time.

Hillbilly,
Love the idea of in walking distance of the Hermitage yet you are right about the package sounding great...
It is I believe on there sight and it is a spectacular hotel...

[horsephotographer]

2008 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL ATTENDANCE UP 9.4 PERCENT



Tickets for 2009 CMA Music Festival Selling Fast; Gold Circle Section Sells Out In Record-Setting 15 Minutes.

CMA Music Festival hit an all-time high attendance record in 2008 with a 9.4 percent increase over 2007 during the four-day Festival, Thursday through Sunday, in Downtown Nashville.
“Even with gasoline prices around $4 a gallon and weak economic conditions around the country.The average daily attendance in 2008 was 52,000. By comparison, in 2007 the average daily attendance was nearly 48,000.

[socalcountrygrl]

Already Hooked Up My Tickets For Next Year....LUV THE FAN FARE!!!

[horsephotographer]

Already Hooked Up My Tickets For Next Year....LUV THE FAN FARE!!!

How fun....
I may be there also .Are you staying at Opryland?

[Rose]

Brought this post up for you to check out.