The Daily Star - Stay Tuned
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coverstory Festival frenzy Catch the best of the CMA Music Festival in ABC's 'Country's Night to Rock!' The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, August 9, 2013 By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media S ummer is in full swing, which means festival season is finally here. For country fans, what better place to gather in droves than the heart of Nashville? Last month, thousands of fans and hundreds of artists flocked to the CMA Music Festival in the Tennessee capital for the most anticipated country music festival of the season. There's good news for country music lovers who couldn't make the trek: "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," a three-hour special taped in Nashville over the four days of the festival, will be airing Monday, Aug. 12, on ABC. Packed with diverse highlights, the star-studded television event will include much more than just performances; viewers will get behind-thescenes access to interviews, day-in-the-life segments, latenight jams and surprise collaborations. Even festival attendees will get to relive their favorite festival moments as well as experience any moments they may have missed. The event will be hosted by Little Big Town, who hold multiple CMA awards and took home trophies last year for "Vocal Group of the Year" and "Single of the Year." Their current single, "Your Side of the Bed," currently ranks in the top 30 on the charts. This year's program marks the 10th anniversary of a major network television special for the CMA Music Festival. Each year, the CMA Music Festival, known as "the ultimate country music fan experience," assembles an eclectic lineup that brings together some of the biggest names in country music, as well as rising stars and new Randy Travis as seen in the CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock! artists for fans to experience deliver instruments as part of for the first time. The event the program. was originally launched as While the festival is geared "Fan Fair" in 1972, and over towards country fans, the the years its stages have lineup branches out to inbeen graced by such legends clude some rock and pop artas Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubb, ists, meaning there's someDolly Parton, Willie Nelson thing for lovers of other music and countless others, as well genres as well. Sheryl Crow, as newcomers who have Kelly Clarkson, Kid Rock, Lenachieved major stardom ny Kravitz and Jason Mraz all since performing at the festi- had stage time this year and val. Randy Travis, while still will be appearing in the telefairly green, first took the vision special. Some of these stage at the festival in 1986; performances were anthis year he performed again nounced ahead of time, while to celebrate his 25th year in others were a surprise to authe business. diences. Unlike other music events, The diverse set list allows the CMA Music Festival goes for collaboration among fabeyond the performances to vorite artists of different provide a more personal exgenres. Clarkson wrapped up perience for fans, with oppor- her set list with a duet with tunities for interaction with Jason Aldean of the No. 1 hit the artists, autograph sign"Don't You Wanna Stay," folings (in 2011, Taylor Swift lowed by Garth Brooks' "Ain't spent 13 hours signing fan Goin' Down ('Til the Sun autographs), photo opportuComes Up)," during which nities, family activities and she was joined by Brooks' much more. Furthermore, the wife, Trisha Yearwood. Aldean festival gives back to the local mixed things up again, this community with proceeds go- time with Kravitz, for a collabing to "Keep the Music Playing," a program that supports music in all of Metro Nashville's 144 schools. "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock's" hosts Little Big Town and performers Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan and Kellie Pickler are among the country artists who have personally visited schools and helped oration on "American Woman," reprised from the 2013 CMT Music Awards show, followed by "Are You Gonna Go My Way," with Aldean on lead vocals. After backing and harmonizing with Kenny Rogers on his classic "The Gambler," the Zac Brown Band closed the first night of the festival by introducing Kid Rock to the stage as he led the band in a cover of Grand Funk Railroad's "We're an American Band." The second night of the festival, 21-year-old Hunter Hayes was joined by pop star Jason Mraz for Hayes' song "Everybody's Got Somebody but Me," and Little Big Town joined surprise guest Crow for "I Wanna Soak Up the Sun." The CMA Music Festival was a huge success, but the fun doesn't have stop there. In addition to previously mentioned performers, audiences can tune in for performances by artists such as Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Lennon and Maisy Stella, The Band Perry and Kellie Pickler. There will be more than just musical performances as "Nashville" star Charles Esten, "Dancing With the Stars" champion Derek Hough, and the cast of "Duck Dynasty" make appearances as well. Watch "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock!" Monday, Aug. 12, on ABC. Chirstopher's Coins 2x2 hollywoodQ&A By Adam Thomlison TV Media Q: Is it true Bill Cosby is doing another standup special? I thought he was retired. A: Though he certainly hasn't been busy by any standard, comedy icon Bill Cosby never quite retired. However, for the past few years he's stuck mostly to live gigs and an occasional talk show appearance. That will change on Nov. 24, though, when Comedy Central releases "Far From Finished," Cosby's first comedy special in 30 years. "Far From Finished" is a suitable title, directly answering the question you and many others have been asking. Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. B/ Yoders 2x2 A/Krazy Tom's B/State FarmMelisa Manikas 2x3