More performers and events have been added during and surrounding the 2012 CMA Music Festival, taking place June 7-10 in downtown Nashville.
Glen Campbell will serve as Grand Marshal for the parade.
Before June 7 rolls around and CMA Fest gets underway, Country Weekly is hosting a special benefit concert and unofficial kick-off party at Hard Rock Cafe on Tuesday, June 5. Performers for the event, benefiting Musicians On Call, include Colt Ford, LoCash Cowboys, and Matt Stillwell. Tickets are available here.
The official start to the Festival begins Wednesday, June 6 with the eighth annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade at 11 am/CT, followed by the seventh annual CMA Music Festival Block Party at 12:30 pm/CT. Iconic performer Glen Campbell will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal, and the members of vocal group Little Big Town will promote new single “Pontoon” by each riding in Premier pontoon boats with fans.
During the nightly concerts at LP Field, each evening will now feature two acoustic performance sets. American Idol alumni Kellie Pickler and Lauren Alaina will each perform acoustically on Thursday, June 7. Randy Houser and The Voice contestant Gwen Sebastian will each take a turn Friday, June 8. Duo Love and Theft and Kip Moore will each perform on Saturday, June 9. On Sunday, June 10, Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson and duo Steel Magnolia will each perform.
Additionally, during the opening ceremonies on Thursday, June 7, David Nail will perform the title track of his album The Sound of a Million Dreams with the Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (directed by Walter Bitner). Nashville School of the Arts has been a recipient of funds from CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program, benefitting music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Storme Warren, producer/host of GAC’s “Headline Country” will host the nightly concerts on June 7. Actress/comedienne Melissa Peterman will host June 9. Evan Farmer, host of CMT’s Top 20 Countdown, will host on June 10. The host for Friday, June 8 will be announced soon. Full nightly concert lineup is included below.
Thursday, June 7:?
Full band performances: Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley,and Zac Brown Band
Acoustic performances :Lauren Alaina and Kellie Pickler
Special performance: David Nail with the Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner)
National Anthem performer: Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner)
Host: Storme Warren (GAC’s “Headline Country”)
Friday, June 8:?
Full band performances: The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood
Acoustic performances: Randy Houser and Gwen Sebastian
National Anthem performer: Oak Ridge Boys
Host: To be announced soon
Saturday, June 9: ?
Full band performances: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Kenny Rogers
Acoustic performances: Love and Theft and Kip Moore
National Anthem performer: Julie Roberts
Host: Melissa Peterman (CMT’s “The Singing Bee”)
Sunday, June 10: ?
Full band performances: Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, and Rascal Flatts
Acoustic performances: Bill Anderson and Steel Magnolia
National Anthem performer: Sarah Darling
Host: Evan Farmer (CMT’s “Top 20 Countdown”)
Category: Artist, Featured, Organizations
