2008 CMA Music Fest - A Look Back

Last night I departed Nashville and flew home to Washington, DC. To my surprise there were only five people on the plane, and that included me! That goes to show you how many of the Fan Fair folks are staying til the end.

And CMA Music Fest wasn't the only event happening in Nashville. The Nashville Superspeedway hosted NASCAR's Nationwide Series last night. I thought it was cool that the two drivers interviewed the other day on Highway 16 by Jon Anthony during our CMA Music Festival broadcasts finished first and second. Congratulations to Brad Keselowski and David Stremme! Can we take credit?!?!

While we didn't get to pose in the winner's circle, I can proudly say that we offered outstanding coverage this past week. And I only hope that you feel the same. We brought you inside eleven different fan club parties. We brought you amazing late-night songwriters' performances. We aired live shows from the Chevy Stage that included rookie drivers and veteran performers. And we were even surprised with a visit from Jessica Simpson.

Tickets have already gone on sale for next year's event, and there were plenty of folks who camped out at the Sommet Center on Friday night to be first in line. If you loved this year, make plans for next. And if you've never had the chance to enjoy the CMA Music Festival in person then follow Jessica Simpson's advice and "Come On Over" to Nashville in 2009.

Time to shower and do laundry!! I'll talk to you tomorrow morning when I begin my new hours on Highway 16 - weekday mornings from 6am to Noon ET.

Jay Thomas

The weather's hot ... my voice is not!

Holy moly! We've always had a running joke here in Nashville that the weather always gets hot and steamy right around CMA Music Fest week. But this year, it's been truly scorching! The temps out on the streets have been well over 100, and it's even hot in the shade! We usually get a few afternoon thunderstorms, but this year, the rain has stayed away ... which is just as well, because it would just add to the humidity.

Nevertheless, the heat really hasn't kept the folks from having an awesome time! In fact, as you walk around downtown, there's a great buzz of activity at every corner!

Unfortunately for me, I was a little rough on my voice early in the festival and I'm doing everything I can to save what's left of it for the remainder of the weekend. If you've been listening to the late-night songwriters' concerts from the Hard Rock the past couple of nights, you can tell it's just about totally gone. I'm still trying to be on-air a few hours in between the live concerts and fan club parties, but you might not recognize my new froggy tone! :-)

I just left Josh Turner's fan club party -- the final recording we have slated for CMA Music Fest this year. What a great show! And a great response from his fans! Be sure to tune in over the next couple of days to hear it ... and all of the other great live programming we're bringing you!

Finally, I want to say THANKS to those of you who are tuning in and have left comments and sent e-mails to us. We know many of you wish you could be here for the festivities; we hope our coverage is the next best thing for you! Honestly, NO ONE in radio covers this festival like we do, and I'm extremely proud of our whole XM staff, who've worked so hard (and so long) to make it all happen!

Hot tea, anyone???

- Jon Anthony

And the fun continues...

One of the performers on the Chevy Stage said today that it was 157 degrees here in Nashville. Okay, that may be a bit exaggerated, but let's just say it was HOT and STICKY! But then again, this is CMA Music Festival Week and that's par for the course.

I've had the chance to host several fan club parties this week including Mark Wills, Emerson Drive, Joe Nichols and Tracy Byrd/Mark Chesnutt. I hope you've had a chance to catch those broadcasts because each of those events has featured some terrific performances.

And today Producer J and I worked the Chevy Stage in front of the Sommet Center, where acts like One Flew South, Julie Roberts, Michelle Wright and Hot Apple Pie performed. What a show!

I even met Abe Lincoln as he wandered through the crowd today. Who knew he was an artist - on Honesty Records I guess. Heck, who knew he was still alive. But I have the photo to prove it.

The XM staff has been working long, hard hours to bring you the 2008 CMA music Festival. I hope you've enjoyed it. And of course there's still more to come Saturday and Sunday. And if you're not in Nashville and want to be here please know that single day tickets are apparently still available.

Jay Thomas

A Jay Thomas Fan in the Crowd

What You Can't See On The Radio!

Our CMA Music Festival photo gallery has been updated! Check out photos from Julie Roberts, Michelle Wright and Cory Morrow, plus all our exclusive Fan Club Party coverage by clicking here!

During Julie Roberts' set, I wandered out into the crowd with a camera and took some pictures, so those of you listening at home can see what you're missing!

Pickin' and Grinnin' at the Chevy Stage!

Thursday was Bluegrass Day at the Chevy Stage at the Sommet Center in Downtown Nashville. The LIVE broadcast started with the SteelDrivers. Kyle Cantrell from XM-14 Bluegrass Junction was there introducing the artists and even catching a few for an interview. 16-year-old mandolin prodigy Sierra Hull joined Kyle under the XM tent to talk about her new album "Secrets" out on Rounder Records.

Next on stage was Mountain Heart which delivered steller performances from recent projects plus an amazing cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man." Fiddler Jim Van Cleve and lead vocalist Josh Shilling came over after the performance for an interview with Kyle. Dan Tyminski took the stage next with highlights from his latest album "Wheels" set for release in July on Rounder Records. The new band consists of the former bass player for Alison Krauss, Barry Bales, Adam Steffey on mandolin, Ron Stewart on banjo, and Justin Moses on fiddle. The crowd exploded when the band started into Dan's famous "Man of Constant Sorrow." Dan joined Kyle for a short interview before he had to hit the road for another performance.

The last to perform was Sierra Hull with her band Highway 111. Former banjo and guitar player for Alison Krauss Ron Block joined Sierra for the performance. Ron also produced Sierra's record "Secrets." I hope you were able to enjoy a little pickin' and grinnin' at the 2008 CMAs. I know I did! Friday things go back to mainstream country with performances by Julie Roberts, Michelle Wright and Hot Apple Pie. Join Jay Thomas LIVE on Highway 16 starting at Noon Eastern!

Live From the Chevy Stage!

Hi!! Amy Paige here. This is my 2nd CMA Fest and I’m so excited to be a bigger part of it this year! I spent the larger part of my day broadcasting live from the Chevy Stage on the Sommet Center Plaza. What a great day!!! The sky was blue, there were little puffy clouds here and there and even though it was hot, there was just enough of a breeze to keep it from feeling unbearable.
Love the Chevy Stage. Don’t have to fight for a good view and it gives you a chance to see some Nashville’s stars on the rise. It reminded me of the shows my old radio station would host on the plaza at the World Trade Center in NYC. Back then, the up and comers were The Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban and Phil Vassar. Maybe you’ve heard of them?

These bands rocked the Chevy Stage!! From Lucky Bucks to Kingbilly, each act brought something unique to the “party”. Especially Sonny Burgess! He was the Texas swing guy who sang, “The More I’m Around Some People, The More I Like My Dog”. His sound was a little different than what you’d normally hear on Highway 16 and if you like his style, you’ll want to check out AMERICA on XM-10.

I was fortunate enough to be under the broadcast tent with my good friend Joyce Rizer. Thank goodness, the two of us make the dude from the movie Powder look like he’s got a tan. As I looked out over the sea of heads I couldn’t help but think, “Gosh I hope these people are drinking enough water and wearing SPF 50”. Apparently they WERE drinking enough, just not water. By the time we bid farewell, the smell of sunblock and beer filled the air!

Backstage at L.P. Field

One of the things I do each year during CMA Music Fest is attend the nightly press conferences at LP Field. Most of the artists playing the stadium come back and spend a few minutes talking to the press. Tonight we talked to Montgomery Gentry, Sugarland, Jewel, Luke Bryan, and "surprise guests" Rascal Flatts.



My favorite moment of the night tonight was early in the evening, when Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, and Julianne Hough came back. The blond trio will be hosting the CMA Music Fest television special on ABC - which will air on September 8th.



Someone asked Taylor about appearing on Nashville Star, and what she thought of reality tv. She looked to her left and said "Some of my best friends come from reality TV."




I am headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for the Songwriters Showcase. If you're up late, tune in to Highway 16 and hear it live! We really have around-the-clock coverage of CMA Music Festival. No one else even comes close!

- Producer J.

Chevy Block Party and Parade- LIVE only on XM!

Wednesday June 4th Report

Just when I thought Tuesday was the coolest day of my life, here came Wednesday! Today was the BIG kick-off of the CMA Music Fest with the Chevy Parade and Chevy Block Party, which XM broadcast live. My morning started with writing tons of index cards to help our hosts Jon Anthony and Storme Warren (now of XM Radio!) with our parade line up. From James Otto leading the parade to the NASCAR drivers, the local Girl Scouts, and all the country stars to follow, Broadway was the place to be!

The parade was followed by 30 minute sets from Chris Young, the Zac Brown Band, Phil Stacey, Luke Bryan, Keith Anderson, Joe Nichols, and James Otto. Fans went wild for their country favorites while sipping on cold beer and getting a tan. The only thing better than that would have been Garth Brooks jumping up on the stage to sing or maybe some chicken wings! The day was full of surprises, however, with a special visit from Jessica Simpson!! First Carrie Underwood on Tuesday, now Jessica on Wednesday--Nashville has all the most beautiful women all in one place! The crowd was really excited to hear Jessica say that “Hollywood was over-rated” and that she was moving into the country scene.

Watching the show from my point of view was definitely an experience any fan would dream of. I was backstage watching bands get ready, right in front of the stage taking pictures, and hanging out at the XM tent with the energetic Storme Warren and the rest of the XM gang! How awesome!

The weekend is just getting started!—I have at least 5 more fan club parties to cover, 10 concerts to go to, and much more-- all with XM!!

Y Suzanne, the intern

First Day of Music Fest--From Tracy Lawrence to the Opry!

Tuesday, June 3rd Report!

What an amazing day it was to only be my second day interning for XM Radio this summer!! I started the morning at Greer Stadium where Tracy Lawrence’s Fan Club held their party. Not only did fans get to hear Tracy sing, but he brought along some friends from his Rocky Comfort Records record label to rock the venue. It was refreshing to hear some of the new songs Trent Tomlinson had been working on for a second album. I also enjoyed the performance of Tracy’s former guitar player, Rick Huckaby. He’ll be playing is own show at the Riverstages on Friday that I’d like to check out. It was exciting to sit right up front to take pictures and notes for XM. It was almost like I was in my living room, sitting four feet away, and Tracy and his friends had come to casually sit around and play for us all day.

The rest of the day brought me to the historic Grand Ole Opry! My ‘intern mentor’ also known as the Highway 16 producer, Joyce, and I set up an XM listening tent between the Opry House and an outdoor stage where we watched Luke Bryan perform. I must say, Luke Bryan is quite a dancer when he sings. At the tent, my deal was to thank our XM subscribers with goodies and encourage others that they couldn’t live without an XM radio. XM broadcasted the 7:00pm Opry Show as usual so it was fun to tell fans in the plaza that they could hear it live at our tent on XM!

Joyce and I got to attend the 9:30 pm show which included XM favorites like Montgomery Gentry, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood, in addition to one of my favorite Opry stars, Bill Anderson. I don’t think I can pick a favorite moment of the show, so I’ll share my top three: Number 3 would have to be Luke Bryan dancing like Elvis to “All My Friends Say”, number 2 would have to be Bill Anderson’s “Too Country?” song-Love it!, and number 1 is when Carrie Underwood came out to sing her set and the crowd went wild. She is as beautiful and talented in person as we see and hear on television and radio! Carrie definitely owned the audience tonight!

You can say I worked a long day - from 10 am to around midnight when I finally got home - but I definitely can’t complain about all the fun I had. This is a chance of a lifetime to work with country music’s biggest stars and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Y Suzanne, the intern

Snapshots!

Here's a few snapshots from the Chevy Block Party - for a complete photo gallery visit highway16.xmradio.com - we're uploading pictures as fast as we can!

A Second Tour of Duty

I am so excited to be back in Music City during CMA FEST as an XM intern for a second time. After just the first day of events, I’m sure this will be another week of exciting and exclusive XM coverage.

I kicked off the day Tuesday with the Tracy Lawrence Fan Club Party at Judge Bean’s BBQ restaurant inside Greer Stadium. Judge Bean’s has a one-of-a-kind view of the Nashville Sounds home field. Tracy Lawrence brought along another Highway 16 favorite, Trent Tomlinson, and some other very talented “rookie drivers.” Tracy played several of his hits that have topped the charts including his recent number one hit “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.” Trent performed a new song that is likely to be released on his upcoming album. Jay Thomas and I enjoyed this song and so did the many fans that gave Trent a well-deserved standing ovation.

You will not want to miss this unique fan club party experience! Tune in on Highway 16 Wednesday at 9am, Thursday at 4pm and Sunday at Midnight (all times Eastern.)

This evening I helped cover the Rodney Atkins Fan Club Party at Carl Black Chevrolet in Nashville. Rodney and his crew cleared out the service bays at this Chevy dealer and assembled a stage that allowed everyone to take part in an upbeat show. Rodney and his band put all of their energy into their performance, playing hits such as “Cleaning This Gun” and “These Are My People”. Rodney had many die-hard fans in attendance, and they followed Rodney’s request to “tear the roof off” with their energy. Be sure to listen to this show on Highway 16 on Wednesday at 1pm, Thursday at 6am, and Saturday at 7pm. I met many XM Radio subscribers today at both events and it was great to hear all of your feedback.

If you are in town be sure to look for us, say hello, and pick up some free XM gear. Tomorrow is another busy day; tune in for a live broadcast of the Chevy Parade and Chevy Block Party beginning at 3pm Eastern.

-Jason Roberts

The fun is just beginning!

Greetings from Nashville! I left Washington, DC yesterday and flew to Music City to help our team cover some of the many events that make up CMA Music Festival Week. And boy oh boy the fun is just beginning.

Earlier today I hosted the Tracy Lawrence Fan Club Party, which was held at Judge Bean's BBQ restaurant overlooking the field at Greer Stadium, home of the Sounds. Tracy brought some friends with him to the party to entertain the crowd, and those friends included Trent Tomlinson, Rick Huckaby, Michael Scott, Colt Prather, and Jarryd Lane. Each artist shared several songs in a guitar pull setting. And of course Tracy and friends treated everyone to his recent number one "Find Out Who Your Friends Are." This was an amazing afternoon and you'll want to listen as we rebroadcast the festivities beginning tomorrow morning at 9am ET on Highway 16.

Remember, for a complete list of the events we're covering and when they're airing go to xmradio.com/cma.

And if you're heading to Nashville for this week's festivities be sure to pack your shorts - it's starting to get hot and steamy in Music City!

- Jay Thomas

The Chevy Stage is being built!

What a view from our new studios here at the Sommet Center Arena Tower in downtown Nashville! As I look out the window from my new desk, I see workers setting up the Chevy Stage, which will be home to a lot of LIVE concerts you'll hear on XM all week! Don't forget -- it all starts tomorrow afternoon (Wedneday) at 3pm ET with the Chevy Parade and Block Party Concert! Keith Anderson, Joe Nichols, Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Phil Stacey, James Otto, and the Zac Brown Band will rock the stage and kick off our week of live concerts!

Tonight, I'm off to host the Rodney Atkins Fan Club Party, which we'll bring to you the rest of the week.

Be sure to check out our full schedule of events at www.xmradio.com/cma!

Tune in and enjoy the fun with us!

- Jon Anthony

It's HERE!

Hello Country Music Fans -- and welcome to our new blog for CMA Music Festival 2008! Check in here regularly for backstage scoop from the hottest events taking place this week - including The Chevy Parade & Block Party, The Grand Ole Opry, and a TON of Fan Club Parties! We've got your All Access Pass!

If you're headed to Nashville for CMA Music Festival, be sure to look for us! We've got a team of people on the streets of Music City handing out XM goodies. The week is just getting started, but already our interns have stuffed THOUSANDS of XM / GM goodie bags.

Right now we've got a crew at Tracy Lawrence's Fan Club Party -- check back later for a full report from them.

In the meantime, visit xmradio.com/cma for a complete schedule of events we'll be bringing you on XM this week. It's Country Music's Biggest Party -- and it's on XM!