The CMA Music Festival kicked off today, and what a start to this amazing festival.  It was only Day 1 of this 4-Day Music Festival, which has stages spread out throughout Downtown Nashville, and in the Music City Center.

Some of the highlights from today:

Chevy Riverfront Stage:
The day started with Runaway June performing the National Anthem, after that, Jon Pardi kicked the music off before what looked like a capacity crowd.  Other great performances at the Chevy Riverfront Stage was Carly Pearce, Lauren Alaina, Lindsay Ell, Frankie Ballard, and LoCash closed out Day 1 at the Riverfront Stage with their high-energy performance.

Xfinity Fan Fair X (At Music City Center):
Fan Fair X hosts 3 stages inside of Music City Center.   The Radio Disney stage has performances by Jordan Davis, Tegan Marie, Cassadee Pope, CAM, LANCO and Maddie & Tae.  The CMA Close Up Stage featured Dierks Bentley (Artist of the Day), Ricky Skaggs, Sara Evans, and the CMA Fest Match Game with Bill Anderson, Tim Rushlow, Jeannie Seely and Charlene Tilton.

Forever Country Stage:
Billy Dean started things off at the Forever Country Stage which is set up in Ascend Park, right next to Ascend Amphitheater.  Other great performances today at this stage were Bellamy Brothers, Little Texas, Lonestar, Restless Heart and Terri Clark.

HGTV Lodge:
HGTV always has a great lineup of artists participating at their Lodge.  Some of the artists that were on Day 1 were:  Michael Ray, LoCash, Ashley McBryde, Chris Lane, Jordan Davis, and Luke Combs.

Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage (Ascend Amphitheater):
There was a ton of great performances at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage was Runaway June, Lindsay Ell, Chase Bryant, Craig Campbell, Granger Smith and Chase Rice.

Nissan Stadium:
As the day shows came to a close, it was time to head over to Nissan Stadium for some of the biggest names in Country Music to take to the stage.  Tonight’s performances were Kane Brown, Lauren Alaina, Dan + Shay, Darius Rucker, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce. and Jason Aldean closed out the show.   One of the great highlights from this stage was Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina performing their hit show, “What Ifs.”  They really had a great time performing together and it showed.  This was also the first time Dan + Shay have performed at Nissan Stadium, and they were overwhelmed with emotion performing in front of the crowd of  60,000+.

Some of the must see shows for tomorrow (Day 2) are:

Chevy Riverfront Stage:
CAM will open Day 2 at the Riverfront stage. Be looking for some great performances from Cadillac Three, Russell Dickerson, Chris Lane, Hunter Hayes, Gavin DeGraw, LANCO, and Granger Smith will be closing out Day 2 of the Chevy Riverfront Stage.

Xfinity Fan Fair X (At Music City Center):
Fan Fair X hosts 3 stages inside of Music City Center.   The Radio Disney stage has performances by Kalie Shorr, Jaden Michaels, Trent Harmon, RaeLynn and Russell Dickerson.  The CMA Close Up Stage featured Luke Bryan (Artist of the Day), Tracy Lawrence, a Bluebird Cafe Songwriters’ Round, and TG Sheppard with Kelly Lang.

Forever Country Stage:
More great artists scheduled to perform at the Forever Country Stage including: Wade Hayes, Ty Herndon, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Darryl Worley and Lee Roy Parnell.

HGTV Lodge:
More great artists will be heading to the HGTV Lodge.  Some of the artists for Day 2 are:  Cassadee Pope, Kip Moore, LANCO, Jon Pardi, CAM and Lee Brice.

Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage (Ascend Amphitheater):
Some of great performances scheduled at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage are Clare Dunn, Drake White, Maddie & Tae, Tyler Farr and Lee Brice.

Nissan Stadium:
The great performances just don’t stop, Day 2 has tons of great artists performing at Nissan Stadium.  Some of the great artists to look forward to are:  Charley Pride, Brett Young, Jake Owen, Luke Combs, Blake Shelton, Old Dominion, and Carrie Underwood closing out Day 2 of Nissan Stadium.

Never a shortage of entertainment at CMA Music Festival, and we have only completed Day 1, with 3 more days of entertainment still to come.