NASHVILLE - The leaders of the Country Music Association, the Metro Government of Nashville, and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau assembled at the historic Metro Courthouse today to unveil exciting new plans for 2009 CMA Music Festival with the addition of a new stage on the Public Square in front of the Courthouse and free access for the first time to the concerts at Riverfront Park.
"We have always enjoyed a great relationship with the City, but this takes our partnership to a whole new level," said CMA CEO Tammy Genovese. "We are now able to offer the residents of Nashville and the surrounding communities even more opportunities to access free music, family-friendly activities, and more. CMA Music Festival is the best entertainment experience of its kind and now it can be enjoyed by more people than ever before."
"Nashville is Music City and the CMA Music Festival, which draws tens of thousands of music fans from across the world, is an important part of that identity," said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. "With the additions to the Festival this year, this world-class event will be more accessible than ever to our local residents. I look forward to looking out the window at the Courthouse and seeing music fans from Nashville and abroad enjoying two of our city's greatest amenities - the Public Square and Riverfront Park."
"The CMA is definitely on the right track and their timing couldn't be better," said Butch Spyridon, President of the NCVB. "While they are already successful, they are looking for ways to broaden the event, extend the stay of our visitors and reach out to include the local community. MORE music and MORE value will do all of those things. Great 'free' music and more money for our schools!"
For 38 years, CMA Music Festival (which started as Fan Fair in 1972) has been an unparalleled celebration of America's music, drawing thousands of fans and media from all corners of the globe to Nashville. Dubbed the "crown jewel" of Country Music festivals by USA Today and winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association's 2004, 2006, and 2008 LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year, CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14. Nashville's signature music event features four jam-packed days of music, with concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more throughout Downtown.
The addition of a stage at the Public Square provides residents and visitors a completely new venue to enjoy the breadth and diversity of musical styles found in Music City. Known as the Music City Zone, and programmed by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the area will be free and open to the public each day.
"Adding the Music City Zone gives us a chance to showcase even more local stars and gives us an opportunity to broaden the styles of music that are readily available any day in this city," said Spyridon.
Free for the first time, CMA has waived all admission charges for the daily concerts at Riverfront Park. One of the most popular attractions at CMA Music Festival, located at the foot of Broadway on the banks of the Cumberland River, the concerts will be held from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM each day of the Festival and feature a variety of today's most popular Country performers on a single stage with longer sets.
"We feel like this is an undeniable value for everyone who loves great music," said Steve Moore, President of CMA's Board of Directors and Chairman of the Music Festival Steering Committee. "With the state of the economy, families are belt-tightening and going without. We don't want them to go without great, free family entertainment this summer. And, this is it."
CMA Music Festival is not only fun for the entire family, but beneficial to the City of Nashville. In 2008, the NCVB estimated that CMA Music Festival generated $22 million in direct visitor spending.
Each year, CMA donates half the net profits of CMA Music Festival for music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools, via the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, through the "Keep the Music Playing" program. Last week, CMA announced the 2008 donation was $1,011,294, which will buy much-needed instruments for 31 elementary, middle, and high schools. To date, CMA has donated $2,245,421 to Metro Schools to purchase instruments and supplies, and build music labs. In addition, CMA has created a $1 million endowment for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to fund the "Words and Music" program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting.
Another first, residents of Middle Tennessee can support music education beyond their Music Festival ticket purchase. In 2009, the Nashville Alliance for Public Education will be collecting "gently used" band instruments during the Festival to be provided to students and music programs in need. The instruments can be dropped off daily during the Festival in the Dr Pepper®-McDonald's® Family Zone in Hilton Park.
"If you have a clarinet in the closet, or a trumpet in a trunk, dust it off and bring it to us so we can 'Keep the Music Playing' in Nashville public schools," said Pam Garrett, Executive Director of the Alliance. "One instrument can have a huge impact on the life and future of a child and your donation of a gently used band instrument can make a difference."
And as an incentive to dust off your snare drum, McDonald's is offering a free Extra Value Meal with the donation of a musical instrument for the first 500. "We're glad to be able to help the CMA with this program," said Ted Bertuca Jr., a local McDonald's owner. "Music is an important part of our public education and we applaud those who donate used instruments for these students."
Lending their talents to the cause is an exceptional lineup of artists this year including Trace Adkins, Julianne Hough, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire, with more superstar artists to be announced soon.
Surprise performances and guest appearances are a hallmark of the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field, which features state-of-the-art production, giant video screens, and the fan-favorite Photo Line. And all of the excitement, screaming fans and top-notch entertainment will be filmed for a network television special on ABC. Another first this year, the special will be expanded from two hours to three to include even more high wattage performances. The special, which airs later this summer, is a primetime postcard inviting the nation to experience the music and hospitality Nashville is known for.
As the footprint of the Festival grows, so does CMA's relationships within the business community. The Festival represents the values that attract business to Middle Tennessee from entertaining clients to providing tickets as incentives for employees. For example, since 2004, HCA has purchased nearly 5,500 four-day tickets, and nearly 8,000 single night tickets as staff giveaways.
"The CMA Music Festival has given HCA the opportunity to support the arts and education while giving our employees the opportunity to participate in one of Nashville's most loved yearly events," said Jana Davis, Vice President of HCA Corporate Communications and Marketing.
"This is only the beginning of what can be accomplished when the talents of the music community combine with the limitless enthusiasm and creativity of Nashville's business and arts community," said Moore. "We invite the businesses and organizations interested in partnering with us to grow this event to get involved."
And because CMA Music Festival supports music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools, business leaders appreciate that half the proceeds go directly to the children who need it most.
"We all know the importance of music and art programs in keeping kids in school and improving graduation rates. This benefits the entire community for years to come," said Bert Mathews, President of The Mathews Company and Vice Chairman of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Groups and organizations are stepping up. For example, the new Music City Drum and Bugle Corps, the flagship unit of the non-profit organization Music City Youth in the Arts, has selected "The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade" (June 10) to launch their program, which provides exceptional learning and performing opportunities for local students.
"It will be an honor for the corps to be part of the Kick-Off Parade, especially since the CMA Music Festival does so much to support music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools," said Keith Hall, Executive Director of the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps.
The winner of the Music City Corporate Band Challenge, presented by the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, will be one of the acts booked on the Public Square stage in the Music City Zone.
"What makes Nashville a truly creative community is the amazing scope and depth of artistic talent in all genres and at all levels - from visual arts to performing arts and from non-profit to commercial," said Connie Valentine, President and CEO of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville. "The Arts & Business Council is excited to be part of a pioneer collaboration with the CMA and CVB to expand Nashville's signature festival, by embracing Music City's broad creative community that reaches far beyond the Country Music scene."
Since it was established in 1971, Hard Rock International has been committed to a wide variety of philanthropic causes and activities around the world. Never straying too far from its roots in Music City, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville has participated in numerous charity events with key partners, most notably for the past four years with CMA Music Festival. This year, Hard Rock has put the power of its retail muscle behind a co-branded pin that will be available during the Festival to stress the importance of music education in public schools.
"Hard Rock is elated to be partnering with the Country Music Association and 'Keep the Music Playing' for its latest charitable co-branded pin," said Vilma Salinas, Sales and Marketing Manager for Hard Rock Cafe Nashville. "In alignment with Hard Rock's motto 'Love All, Serve All,' both philanthropic organizations work tirelessly to preserve Nashville's beloved 'Music City' moniker and ensure that its future continues to thrive for many years to come."
Tickets for 2009 CMA Music Festival are available now. To order, call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.
2008 CMA Music Festival Four Day Ticket prices are: Gold Circle (SOLD OUT); Floor Level (SOLD OUT); Lower Level (adults $155: ages 12 and youger $109); Club Level (adults $145: ages 12 and younger $102); Upper Level reserved (adults $120: ages 12 and younger $84); Upper Level general admission (adults $110: ages 12 and younger $78).
* NOTE: Please call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) for information on ADA seating, which may be available in Sold Out sections.
A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are available. Call toll-free 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) to order. The price is $31 for cars; $63 for vans/shuttles; and $123 for RVs/motor coaches. Prices do not include handling fee. Spaces are limited, and no overnight parking is allowed. All persons planning to park at LP Field must pre-purchase the parking pass. Free shuttles (for four-day registrants) will run daily between major Festival event locations.
For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances, and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news.
The site will be updated during the week of Mar. 16- 20 with an all-new look for 2009. MySpace users may want to visit www.MySpace.com/cmamusicfestival, while Facebook users can check out www.Facebook.com/pages/Country-Music-Association/19262061270.
CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music. Wrangler®: The Exclusive Jean of the CMA Music Festival. Additional promotional partners include CMT, Dr Pepper®, Durango Boot®, Greased Lighting®, Great American Country (GAC), McDonald's®, VAULT Citrus Soda. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA.
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