Fan Fair X Announces Artist Q&A, Indoor Stages, Meet-And-Greets

2016-CMAMusicFestival-Logo-Badge-4CHillary Scott, Nashville‘s Charles Esten, Martina McBride and Charles Kelley will be featured during CMA Music Festival’s Fan Fair X, as part of the Artist of the Day event, held each morning during the event from 11 a.m. to noon.

Scott and members of her family will celebrate their new gospel album with performances and a Q&A on Thursday, June 9. Esten will take the stage on Friday, while McBride will discuss her new album Restless (Nash Icon Records) on Saturday. Kelley will offer a look at his album The Driver (Capitol Records Nashville) on Sunday.

“Fan Fair X continues to be the uniting thread between the original Fan Fair and what we now know as CMA Music Festival 45 years later,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Creating opportunities for fans to interact with a favorite artist or meet a new rising star is what has distinguished our Festival throughout the years. The ongoing tradition of Fan Fair takes place each day inside Fan Fair X and creates memories our attendees will treasure for years to come.”

Fan Fair X will be held at Nashville’s Music City Center on June 9-12 from 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Venue doors open at 9:30 a.m. each day. Other activities held at Fan Fair X include:

CMA Close Up Stage: The stage grows from 800 seats to more than 1,000 seats (with additional standing room) this year. In addition to the Artist of the Day programs each morning, other artists taking the stage during the week include: Charlie Daniels, Marie Osmond, Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Lorrie Morgan, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, Kristian Bush, The Gatlin Brothers, JT Hodges, Olivia Lane, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Wills, Eric Paslay, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ray Stevens, Thompson Square, and numerous SESAC songwriters.

Durango Music Spot: The stage will showcase festival favorites all four days, including (in alphabetical order and subject to change): Deborah Allen, Katie Armiger, Baillie & the Boys, Moe Bandy, Jeff Bates, The Bellamy Brothers, John Berry, Marty Brown, T. Graham Brown, Confederate Railroad, Bucky Covington, Sarah Darling, Jimmy Fortune, Janie Fricke, Marty Haggard, Wade Hayes, Lucas Hoge, Lorraine Jordan, Jamie Kent, Kelly Lang, Johnny Lee, Bobby Marquez, Lila McCann, Ronnie McDowell, Moore & Moore, Jamie O’Neal, Shane Owens, Stella Parton, Presley & Taylor, Stephanie Quayle, Collin Raye, Sarah Dunn Band, Jeannie Seely, Shenandoah, Ashton Shepherd, T.G. Sheppard, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Sylvia, Payton Taylor, Aaron Tippin, James Robert Webb, and The Willis Clan.

Following their performances, Durango Music Spot artists will sign autographs and meet and greet with fans in the Durango booth. Durango Music Spot is hosted and broadcast by 650 AM WSM, and will be open 10:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. each day.

Radio Disney Country Stage: New to Fan Fair X this year, the spot offers fans a place to discover some of the best up-and-coming talent alongside familiar favorites. Radio Disney Country personalities will be hosting the stage and leading activities and prize giveaways throughout the four days. Appearances include Lauren Alaina, Drew Baldridge, Kelsea Ballerini, Lacy Cavalier, Liddy Clark, Dan + Shay, Lindsay Ell, Farewell Angelina, Matt Gary, Mickey Guyton, Jana Kramer, Olivia Lane, Maddie & Tae, Tegan Marie, Megan & Liz, Cassadee Pope, Kalie Shorr, Granger Smith, and Temecula Road. Artists and schedule are subject to change.

CMA Meet and Greet Booth: For chances to win meet-and-greet sessions inside Fan Fair X and/or access special performances inside HGTV Lodge, fans must enter online at CMAfest.com from Thursday, May 26 (10 a.m. CT) to Tuesday, May 31 (11:59 a.m. CT). More than 60 artists are scheduled for meet-and-greets in the CMA Booth including: Lauren Alaina, Tucker Beathard,Kane Brown, Chase Bryant, Kristian Bush, Ashley Campbell, Clare Dunn, Mickey Guyton, Ty Herndon, Parmalee, Jamie Lynn Spears, Chuck Wicks, Darryl Worley, and more. Artist and schedule subject to change.

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Category: Artist, Featured, MusicFest

About the Author

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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