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2 | Cover story TV Media Weekly | August 10 - 16, 2013 Festival frenzy Catch the best of the CMA Music Festival in ABC's 'Country's Night to Rock!' 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, dayin-the-life segments, late-night jams and surprise collaborations. Serving You For Over 50 Years Bill Neher Mark Adams B/ Norris • Travel • Life •1x4 Health • Medicare Supplement Call for a FREE Quote! 455-2700 3833 S. LaFountain • Kokomo, IN 46902 www.norrisinsurance.com 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 artists for fans to experience for the first time. The event was originally launched as "Fan Fair" in 1972, and over the years its stages have been graced by such legends as Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubb, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and countless others, as well as newcomers who have achieved major stardom since performing at the festival. Randy Travis, while still fairly green, first took the stage at the festival in 1986; this year he performed again to celebrate his 25th year in the business. Unlike other music events, the CMA Music Festival goes beyond the performances to provide a more personal experience for fans, with opportunities for interaction with the artists, autograph signings (in 2011, Taylor Swift spent 13 hours signing fan autographs), photo opportunities, family activities and much more. Furthermore, the festival gives back to the local community with proceeds going 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 Randy Travis as seen in the CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock! artists who have personally visit- things up again, this time with ed schools and helped deliver in- Kravitz, for a collaboration on "American Woman," reprised struments as part of the profrom the 2013 CMT Music gram. While the festival is geared to- Awards show, followed by "Are You Gonna Go My Way," with Alwards country fans, the lineup dean on lead vocals. After backbranches out to include some ing and harmonizing with Kenny rock and pop artists, meaning Rogers on his classic "The Gamthere's something for lovers of other music genres as well. Sher- bler," the Zac Brown Band closed yl Crow, Kelly Clarkson, Kid Rock, the first night of the festival by Lenny Kravitz and Jason Mraz all introducing Kid Rock to the had stage time this year and will stage as he led the band in a cover of Grand Funk Railroad's be appearing in the television special. Some of these performances were announced ahead of time, while others were a surprise to audiences. Banquet & Conference Facility The diverse set list allows for Book Your 2014 Date Now collaboration among favorite artists of different genres. ClarkCelebrations son wrapped up her set list with a duet with Jason Aldean of the 1x2 No. 1 hit "Don't You Wanna Stay," followed by Garth Brooks' chec check date availability check date availabili at our website he h t vailability i ab ur w bsi e website bsi "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun www.celebrationsbanquet.net Comes Up)," during which she Call 765-457-3227 was joined by Brooks' wife, 3437 W Sycamore Street in Kokomo's Westside Village Trisha Yearwood. Aldean mixed Celebrations CHANNEL GUIDE

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