Country Music Fest

Country Music Fest in Nashville, Tennessee has been on my list of things to do for sometime.  And I was finally able to place a big, fat check mark next to it.

I asked my college roomies to go and they said yes. 

I started my trip a bit early flying into Chattanooga on Wednesday and seeing the life of Lacey!!  Chatt is Lacey's hometown so I was able to see where she grew up, where she works, a few Chatt landmarks, and her brand new home she shares with her fiance Aaron.   A couple hours after I got there our long, lost roommate Megan flew in from Utah!  We have not seen Megan since May of 2003, so there was lots of catching up to do.

Thursday we did miscellaneous things until Ashley landed and then the four of us drove to Nashville.  Katie would be arriving later that day.

We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, and it was HUGE!!!  I am sure I didn't even see half of it.  I did however make it to the pool.  I have been itching to get in a pool since my move back to the Midwest.  Anyways, I was able to take one dip, enough time to practice my George Washington, floating, and a couple of laps, ahem 1 lap.  And of course enough time to get a full body burn in true Erica fashion.  But enough about that!!!  

Let's get to the MUSIC!

Country music has been a love of mine for some time.  I enjoy it.  And I enjoy the "country" way of life.  I like cowboy hats, I like saying y'all, I like hospitable people, I like southern food, and I just love the mellow feeling country songs can bring.   People tend to make fun of country music, it's too sappy, it's too whiny... my wife left me... my husband cheated... whoa whoa whoa is me....  And yes, it can be like that.... but hey, it's life.  

Have you ever been done wrong?

Have you ever fallen in love?

Have you ever had to turn to God in a desperate situation?

I'm sure.

If you are a hater, don't read on... this will get a little obsessive.

The nightly concert took place at LP Field, Home of the Tennessee Titans.  June 9-12 however it was home to country music's biggest fans!  We sat in general seating... but it didn't matter.  I actually prefer sitting up high with better views.  

NIGHT ONE:  started out with Zac Brown Band and I couldn't be more thrilled... they did an amazing job of opening the concert series with "Toes."  After which they performed most of their hits! I would without a doubt see them in concert any day.  They also had a surprise addition of Randy Travis... who I am not a big fan of, but was still excited to see.  Alan Jackson was another surprise artist, and joined ZBB with "Walking Away."  BUT most importantly, they ended their set with "Chicken Fried."  And I never danced more! 

Easton Corbin was next, followed by Sarah Evans.  I am a fan, but not their biggest.  I was happy that Sarah sang a Rod Stewart song however.  Nice choice Sarah, nice choice.

Jason Aldean was next, which brought me back on my feet... especially when he sang Big Green Tractor and Dirt Road Anthem.  Actually every song was great... and he is a performer I'd love to see again.  Oh OH, and did I mention Kelly Clarkson guest spotted with him on their single..."Don't You Wanna Stay?"

And then, the man I had been waiting for, Mr. Brad Paisley.  He was last and did not disappoint.  I absolutely love him.  He is just so loyal to his fans, and he thanks you every time!  He just seems so genuine and a great guy to be a around.  He sang all my fav's and then he brought out Alabama to sing with him.

Whatta great night!

Zac

Brad

Day 2:   We sent Lacey off in the morning for a 5 star massage at the hotel for an early birthday present.  We all chipped in, and she said she loved it!  Afterward we all got ready for Day #2 in Nashville.  We headed straight for the Nashville Convention Center to check out Fan Fair Hall.  This is an area where you were able to have close up interactions with your favorite country stars.  If you were there early enough you were able to stand in line and get a picture and autograph if you would like.  We were not there early enough, but that's ok, we were still able to see Rascal Flatts, Jake Owen, Bucky Covington, and a few other not as famous stars.  If I had the chance I would have LOVED to have seen of course, Brad Paisley, and Dolly Parton.  Also, in the Fan Fair Hall there were many booths, full of the companies that sponsored CMA Fest.  They educated you on their brand and handed out tons of free stuff.

After this we walked the streets of Nashville.  Many of the streets were closed down for the festival so people were everywhere.  We ate at a local restaurant for lunch, the Broadway Brewhouse, and had some free samples of ice cream in the streets.  We ended up finding the Riverfront Stage, and settled on the grounds with all the others making it in time to see James Wesley and Darryl Worley.  I just have to say that the Riverfront Stage was a diamond amongst the whole festival.  It is just my kind of time.  Lying in the grass with my cowboy hat, and my friends enjoying a beautiful, hot day listening to great music!

Back at LP Field the night started with Ashton Shepard, followed by Dierks Bentley.  But my ultimate favorite performances were those of Lady Antebellum, and Sugarland.  Lady Antebellum basically sang all of their hits.  SCORE!  Then when I think Sugarland, I think, 2 people, one singing and one playing the guitar... how much entertainment can that be... and let me tell you, it's plenty, they totally rocked my socks off.  The next time they come to Chicago I want to be front and center.  Keith Urban followed them. So I continued standing and dancing.  He puts on a great show too.  To end the night was Reba.  She was incredibly annoying.  She started the night with "Why Haven't I Heard From You," which happens to be my favorite song by her, EVER, so I was happy and enthusiastic, but it went downhill from there.  She just sang all her new songs and let's face it, her new songs are terrible.  I felt bad because the entire stadium was leaving early.  We are sorry Reba.  CMAFEST you should have known to end with Keith!

Day 3:  We woke up and headed to the pool.  Like I said before, I wasn't about to leave a 5 star hotel and not take a dip in their swimming facilities!  We then all got ready and headed downtown to the River Front Stage.  I wanted to be sure to see Chuck Wicks.  I absolutely adore Chuck Wicks.... he sang the song that made him famous... "Stealing Cinderella," and I melted.  Literally and figuratively, it was soooooo gosh darn hot outside, I was melting.  David Nail was next and he was also a great act.  We then headed out to lunch at Rippys.  There Jared joined us.  Jared lives in Nashville now.  He worked with Ashley on Thunder Mountain at Disney and I was able to work with him when we did crowd control for the parades.  He has become a dear friend and we were happy he got to meet up with us for a quick bite to eat.  Also, while sitting in the restaurant... an unmarked vehicle with tinted windows pulled up beside the curb right outside, I got super excited as I knew someone was about to get out of it... and there you have it, it was Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery from American Idol, runner up and winner of the whole thing!  It was neat to see because we were on the second floor of the restaurant and were able to see them from right above!  After our late lunch we headed back to LP Field.

Me, oogling over Chuck!

Us with Jared

Scotty McCreery, Aka Brows

LP Field for night 3.  Chris Young started out the night, he sang "Voices" and I was happy.  Little Big Town was next... they sound exactly as they do on the radio, and I just adore them.  4 big voices to make them up and they sing their hearts out... "you get a line, I'll get a pole, we'll go fishing in the crawfish hole, 5 card poker on Saturday night, church on Sunday morning!"  And repeat.  Josh Turner was next, be still my heart.  He is just so handsome, and has that deep southern drawl.  As predicted Scotty McCreery joined him on stage to sing what Scotty sang pretty much every show on Idol... "Your Man"... Trace Adkins was up after that, and talk about someone scary.  He is a large man, but a teddy bear all the same.  He played Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, and again, I was happy.  The line where he says... slap your Grandma... the music literally shut off, and he told us we should be ashamed!!  : ) Martina McBride was next, and again as predicted, Lauren Alaina took the stage with her.  She was just so sweet and starstruck to be singing next to her idol.  The night ended with Rascal Flatts.  In between sets there was two surprise guest spots of Thompson Square and Big and Rich.  FUN FUN FUN!

We left Sunday morning, skipping out on day 4 of the festival.  I was first on board with all the planning aspects and I decided to be at work on Monday instead of stay one more day.  Big mistake.  I missed out on Jane Dear Girls, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, the newlyweds Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, and T. Swift.

And so if I had to do it over again here are next years rules:

1. Adam needs to be there.  He would have loved it!

2.  I would not worry so much about getting a seat... we bought general admission seats, so you got to sit anywhere within specified rows.  There was plenty of seating everywhere if you came early enough.

3.  I would most definitely stay downtown.  The commute cost us a 25 dollar cab ride each way, which wasn't bad divided by 5 people... but time was lost doing this.  The hotel did provide shuttle service, but we chose not to do that.  After the concert, it was impossible to find a cab and the streets were packed.

4.  If I could I would change the temperature, it was HOT.  I basically sat in my own sweat the entire time, so there was a strict need for AC and water.  I did my very best to stay hydrated.  Next time I will bring a small electric fan that spits out water!  : )

5.  Which brings me to the fact that I did not have a whole lot of alcohol.  Not that I wanted to be wasted, but I would have enjoyed a few more cold ones.

6.  Next time, I want to see more of what Nashville has to offer.  I want to sit in their bars and enjoy the local entertainment too.  We were able to do this once and the band there played all sorts of covers of really great songs.

7.  I'd probably skip Fan Fair Hall all together next year.

8. You definitely have to love country music to participate in this event.  You really do.  If you don't, don't go!

9.  I would fly directly into Nashville next year and stay all 4 nights!!  It's so worth it.