Photo courtesy of CMA
The 2011 CMA Music Festival sold out each night at LP Field for the second year in a row. The estimated daily attentence for the festival was 65,000 people each day.
Steve Moore, CMA CEO, said, "To meet the outstanding sell out of 2010 again in 2011 speaks volumes about the strength of this event, the dedication of our fans, the support of our local community, and the popularity of our music and artists."
Photo courtesy of CMA - Exhibit Hall
CMA Fest is a unique festival type of festival that isn't replicated in any other genre of music. "The artists and celebrities participating in CMA Music Festival donate their time. They are not compensated for the hours they spend signing autographs and performing. In appreciation of their exhaustive efforts, CMA donates half the net proceeds from the event to music education on their behalf through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education called "Keep the Music Playing." To date, CMA has donated $4.7 million." CMA has really developed an awesome festival throughout the past 40 years, and it is so great that the artists want to take part in the events.
Not only do they take part in the event, the artists are so happy to be there to interact with and thank their fans. Throughout the festival artists raved about country music fans, expressing so much gratitude for their fans and their appreciation of the dedication.
Jennifer Nettles told the crowd, "thanks for giving us a great life" and Kimberly from The Band Perry said, "yall've changed our lives over the past 12 months." Additionally, Charles Kelly said, "yall've changed our lives" and Hillary said, "this is one thing we look forward to all year." Another artist who thank his fans was Jason Aldean, saying, "Bless yall for a great year." Chris Young, who celebrated his birthday by performing at LP Field for the first time, said he noticed a difference in more fans trying to get his autograph this year, and it made him feel good. And on another note, Martina McBride told the crowd, "I wish you all could know what [the standing ovation] feels like to me. I have been so inspired by you guys this week. I love yall so much and you're the reason I [sing]."
Darius Rucker said he was honored to be back this year. He said he had 3 things to be thankful for, Capitol Records for giving him a chance, radio for playing his songs, and the fans for listening. He said, "Thank yall for letting me in."
Miranda Lambert told the crowd, "Thank you to all the most amazing country music fans" and talked about how there was no other festival like the CMA Fest in all of music. She said, "This the time where the artists say thanks for giving us a job all year. They buy our records. They come to our shows and without the people here, we can't do what we do. It's the only genre of music that has something like this." Her husband Blake Shelton said, "We're all excited to get here that first day and by the last we're ready to get the hell out of here cause were tired and worn out, ya know. You don't wanna stop, you don't wanna sleep, especially for the fans." Blake also told the crowd on Sunday night that he knew most people had to work tomorrow, but he didn't give a crap. He was ready to party!!
The artists seem to have as much fun at CMA Fest as the fans. We look forward to a 41st year next year! The 2012 Festival will take place from Thursday, June 7, through Sunday, June 10. Tickets for the 2012 CMA Music Festival go on sale Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. CST.
.
