The Billboard Country Music Summit, CMT Awards and Especially CMA Music Fest All To Take Place This Week
Who’s ready? If you’re a country music fan, there’s only one place you should be this week, and that is right here in the 615! But if you can’t make it down for all the festivities, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. CMA Music Fest is the biggest country music party of the year, and will be the highlight of the week, but that’s not all:
Monday and Tuesday is the Billboard Country Music Summit at Cannery Ballroom featuring keynote speakers Luke Bryan, Thompson Square and Willie Nelson. Tuesday morning, I (Matt) will be driving around in a Chevy Volt to all the country music hotspots (stay tuned for more on that), then Tuesday evening we’ll be attending the Muve Music’s Pre-Concert event, taking place before the “Music City Gives Back” concert with exclusive interviews. Wednesday is our friend Jana Kramer’s album release party (can’t wait!), then Wednesday night is the CMT Music Awards. We’ll be at all of these events and more, and will bring you exclusive footage and interviews!
Make sure to follow Focus on the 615 and Matt on twitter for live updates:
@FOCUSonthe615
@mattwilliams27
And keep checking back here for full interviews, photos and write ups. What a week it’s going to be. Here we go!
About the Billboard Country Music Summit
Conceived as the business-related kickoff for the weeklong celebration of Country Music that culminates with the 2012 CMA Music Festival, the Summit has quickly become known for hosting attendees and speakers that are the elite industry players, including established Country Music industry executives, up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and artists that are making a difference. The content and networking at the Summit is unmatched in the industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing this vital genre.
Programming is customized to fit the needs of the Country Music business stakeholders today and tomorrow, touching on recording, touring, radio, publishing, finance, sponsorships, international, digital/social and artist development. Discussions are led by the executives who write the checks, write the songs, book the shows, program the singles, create the campaign and take the stage. In its first two years, the Summit has already hosted compelling artist discussions with such stars as Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Charlie Daniels, Gary Alan and others, with case studies and keynotes that break down the most successful artist development and superstar careers in the genre. There is nothing else in the country music business like it.
About “Music City Gives Back”
Award-winning and top-selling country star Rodney Atkins headlines Music City Gives Back with a host of other artists on Tuesday, June 7th in downtown Nashville. Josh Thompson, Thompson Square and others will join Atkins for a night of great music.
The concert will increase awareness, accept donations of needed items and raise funds for tornado victims for the American Red Cross Relief Fund through donation collection locations around the event. The public can make donations at the event or by visiting www.redcross.org.
CMT kicks off the summer with country’s biggest stars and sizzling performances at the 2012 CMT Music Awards live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on June 6. It’s the only entirely fan-voted award show that recognizes country’s best video and musical achievements. Hosted by Toby Keith and Kristen Bell, this year’s performers include Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Zac Brown Band, Willie Nelson and many many others.
The ultimate country music fan experience featuring hundreds of artists from up and comers, to legends and superstars performing on multiple stages. Thousands of fans from around the world come together in the epicenter of the Country Music community to party with countless opportunities to get close to the stars for a treasured autograph or priceless picture. This is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion to discover new artists before they hit it big, hear new music, and meet other fans who share your passion for Country Music in Music City USA
Created for the fans in 1972 and committed to the fan experience in 2012, CMA Music Festival brings it all together – artists, music, autographs, pictures, activities, and more – all for you, the most devoted fans in the world!
