Tim McGraw, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Kellie Pickler added to CMA Music Festival
Tim McGraw (Associated Press file photo)
Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and Kellie Pickler are the latest additions to the artist lineup for 2010 CMA Music Festival, set for June 10-13 in Nashville, Tenn.
Previously announced artists include Oklahoma natives Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher. Others previously announced include Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band. All of the announced artists will perform during the nightly concerts at LP Field.
This will be McGraw’s first appearance at the event since 2001, when he was a surprise guest during Kenny Chesney’s performance as part of the nightly concerts at LP Field and the event was still known as Fan Fair. His last announced appearance was in 2000, the last year Fan Fair took place at the Nashville Fairgrounds. He has participated in the event eight times since his Fan Fair debut in 1993. McGraw has won 11 Country Music Association Awards, including entertainer of the year in 2001; male vocalist in 1999 and 2000; album of the year in 1998 (“A Place in the Sun”) and 1999 (“Everywhere”); and musical event of the year in 2007 on “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” with Tracy Lawrence and Chesney.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tim back to CMA Music Festival in 2010,” said Steve Moore, CMA board chairman, in a news release. “Our event established its tradition of hosting the superstars of our format at its inception in 1972 with artists such as Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette. Take a glance at this year’s performer list and you’ll see we’re living up to that tradition.”
Few superstars have been as supportive of the event as Jackson, who has made 15 appearances since his festival debut in 1990. Jackson last performed during the nightly concerts at LP Field in 2008. He has received 16 CMA Awards, including three entertainer of the year trophies (1995, 2002, 2003); two male vocalist wins (2002, 2003); and two album of the year awards (1994 for “Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles” and 2002 for “Drive”).
“We appreciate the tremendous support that Alan has always shown to CMA Music Festival and the fans,” said Moore in the release.
Currington has participated in the event four times since his festival debut in 2004 as part of the daytime concerts at Riverfront Park. He last performed on the nightly concerts at LP Field in 2007. Currington has received three CMA Award nominations, including two in 2009 for single and music video of the year, both for “People Are Crazy.”
Pickler performed before an intimate audience at a nightclub as part of filming for the festival television special during last year’s event, but her last appearance as part of the nightly concerts was in 2008. She made her CMA Music Festival debut in 2007. Pickler has received two CMA Award nominations: both in the new artist of the year category (2007, when it was called the Horizon Award, and 2008 under its new name). She has also served as an active spokeswoman for CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program and participated in a delivery of new musical instruments to a Nashville middle school and at the presentation of the 2009 CMA Music Festival contribution in December.
Now in its 39th year, CMA Music Festival began as Fan Fair in 1972 as a unique celebration of the relationship between country music artists and their fans in the heart of Music City USA. More than 2,000 country acts, from the legends and superstars to today’s rising hitmakers and hopefuls, have lent their time and talent to the event over the decades.
The artists participate for free, and in appreciation, CMA donates half the net proceeds of the Festival to support music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools through the Keep the Music Playing program. To date, $3.3 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies, providing thousands of Metro Nashville Public Schools students with the resources and opportunities they could not have afforded on their own, and giving many of them a strong reason to remain in school.
Nashville’s signature music event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more. This unparalleled celebration of America’s music draws thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. CMA Music Festival was dubbed the “crown jewel of country music festivals” by USA Today and winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s 2004, 2006 and 2008 LIVE! Award for festival of the year.
For more information, go to www.CMAfest.com.
-BAM
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they all participate for free,now that is really nice.