Live Blog: 2008 June

Hey Everyone!  Before we head over to the Out Rock the Band Sweepstakes at Paradise Park Trailer Resort, I wanted to share with you some comments from Jennifer Hanson.  She was in the fashion show on Wednesday night and wanted to tell you all about her experience in it...

I've never done a fashion show before, so I was a little nervous at first, but when I got to the Wildhorse, everyone was so great to work with and made me feel really comfortable.  In fact, I had a blast -- it was lots of fun to pretend to be a high fashion model, walking the runway.  My only concern, I think both my outfits were a little short.  But what the heck... we had a great time!  What made the entire event even more fun was they had us all lined up in order, ready to take the runway and I had Jeff Cook (My Uncle Cookie) right behind me.  Since my dad played in Alabama's band, Jeff has known me since I was 12 years old.  He was really funny at the fashion show.  He kept showing me his outfits saying 'look what I get to wear!' I was also in line near Sarah Buxton and Emily West.  I adore both of them and was happy we got a little hand time that night.  I also got a chance to meet a lot of people I had never had the opportunity to meet before, so all said -- I had a great time at the Country Weekly Fashion Show!

Now stay tuned as we head down to go rock it with Lady A!

Well, we're four days into the 2008 CMA Music Festival and this thing isn't showing any signs of slowing down!  In fact, it revved up at noon today when Lady Antebellum and CMT.com took on all comers at the Out Rock the Band Sweepstakes at Paradise Park Trailer Park.  After a smokin' performance by Lady Antebellum, contestants from all over the country tried to prove they were better at Rock Band than a real band as they went against Lady A's Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood in showdown to see who had the chops in the popular music-based video game.  Since the last video game I played was Pong, I geezer so CMT.com's own intrepid reporter and video game aficionado Jen Morrison was on hand to bring you the scoop on this exciting event.  Here's Jen's report:

First off, I am not a video game aficionado however, I can tell you what I saw!  People started crowding in around noon and filling the place up.  The audience was standing on tables, chairs and bar seats just to get a glimpse at Lady Antebellum.  Each sweepstakes "team" went up and played two songs.  One team tried their hardest but just couldn't make it through the difficult game of Rock Band and failed out.  Last up to compete was Lady Antebellum... And for only playing two times, they rocked it!  Hillary was banging on the drums looking very concentrated as Charles got his rocker on taking lead vocals and sang "Enter Sandman" by Metallica.  Dave took the roll he loves best in his aviators... The guitar.  

After each band had played, the winner was announced.  It was our second and very outspoken team that played, The Punishers.  They did not have that name when they walked through the door, one of the audience members yelled that out and it stuck.  They were then presented with a Epiphone acoustic guitar signed by Lady Antebellum. 

Finally -- everyone got what they had been waiting for... A performance by Lady A themselves.  They started out with their first hit single, "Love Don't Live Here," and ended with their flirty current single "Looking For a Good Time."  They interacted with the crowd and said their good-byes.  Charles grabbed a marker and signed a few autographs on their way out of the bar and then they were whisked away to start traveling again.  Oh the life of a Rock Band! 

On our way back from the Lady A event, we decided to stop in the Nashville Convention Center to see how good ole' Taylor Swift was doing with her all day signing.  And from the looks of it, pretty good!  She had a huge crowd around her just waiting to get an autograph, picture or anything!  We manage to snap one shot of her with a fan... It was just too crazy in there!  We also stopped to see Carrie Underwood signing some autographs for fans.  But again, there were soooooo many people in there, we just decided we should come back here and report to you all!

And now we are going to fast forward to Sunday, June 8th!  We have Carolina Rain who wanted to tell you how it was to play in front of fans like you:

"Wow!! What else can I say about the thousands of screaming fans passionately singing the lyrics to our songs right along with us as we took the river stage at CMA Music Fest 2008 Sunday.  We wanted to take them all home!  Music is special and the CMA Music Fest brings together those of us who truly love the expression of emotion that we call country music...artist and fans alike.  Thank  you for bringing us together with all of our fans!!"

Thank you all for joining us this week and weekend for our coverage of the 2008 CMA Music Festival.  We hope you enjoyed it and look forward to our next live blog!  Drive safe now!

Click to see more live blog photos from the 2008 CMA Music Festival

So I (Jen) just left the Exhibit Hall and let me tell you, I have never experienced the craziness that I just experienced!  Ever! We got word that Miss Jessica Simpson was going to be signing so we headed over bright and early to beat the crowd in.  We got our spot on the media side and waited for the stampede of people to come through the door.  I was actually kind of scared because I knew the crowd that was outside, having seen them on our way in.  So 10 O'clock on the dot they let them in... and then I was amazed... here came a crowd of hundreds running toward us!  Next thing we know, people are getting trampled, hurt and crying!  People were just simply walking out of the line because of how many people were trying to shove their way into such a tiny area (at least compared to all the people who were there). 

After about 15 minutes of this, things finally calmed down.  They were separating lines and getting people where they needed to be.  Then the big moment... Jessica walked out.  She entered at the front of the SonyBMG booth accompanied by her dad and assistant.  A little girl about five or six was standing next to the booth and yelled her name.  Jessica leaned down to her and waved and asked her how she was.  She was smiling and ready to go... and that's a good thing because she's probably still signing right now.  We were unable to get a comment from her at the time because of how nuts the exhibit hall was but we will not disappoint you... she will be making a comment with us later... so check back!

We now had a chance to get Jessica Simpson's comments to all of you out there:

"Being here in Nashville and around all these music loving fans inspires the true artist in me.  I can't wait to take my music to the stage and give back to the fans."

Ashton Shepherd sent us some of her pictures from her point of view while out and about the CMA Music Festival.  She also had these comments for ya'll...

"My first CMA Music Fest was a fun and full day.  I feel so blessed to have gotten to meet so many fans and supporters and to get to play for them as well.  Talk to you later!" 

Hey everyone...we just got word from Emily West who is enjoying her CMA Music Fest week... "Hey Guys, it's Emily West.  I just saw Wynonna... she was so sweet and I got my picture taken with her. So many awesomely awesome super stars here!  Including myself!... just kidding... but not at the same time! I sing at 3!!! So excited."

Stay tuned for more... Shane Caldwell is about to hit the streets with the fans to have a "Good Time."  So watch out for us!

RED ALERT!!! We've got Dance Fever!... or it maybe it's heat stroke cause it's hot out there!  But safety be damned friends, because we have just returned from the unbridled spectacle known as the 2008 CMA Music Festival where we walked among the massive crowd of fans to see if any of them had what it takes to compete in the Alan Jackson "Good Time" Dance Off.  we took our high tech boom box with Alan's current hit blasting away and threw down the gauntlet in the middle of Lower Broad.  The fans were a little intimidated at first.  But who wouldn't be when faced with my stunning physique and cat-like dance moves?  After taunting them for a good five minutes, one brave gal emerged from the crowd to answer the call.  She was a gamer and together, we looked like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing cheek to cheek in Top Hat... actually we looked more like a couple of sunburned monkeys having a seizure but it got the rest of the fans going and pretty soon, a whole bunch of them joined in!  Gaze, if you dare, upon the lovely ladies and one brave guy who threw caution to the wind (along with their dignity) and strutted their stuff for your amusement. 

 Click to watch "A Good Time with Alan Jackson and Shane Caldwell"

Well, there you have it!  The first Alan Jackson "Good Time" Dance Off!  Enjoy it while you can cause after people see this, I don't think we'll ever get anybody to do it again.  That'a all for now, I'm going to go drink away the shame of my pathetic dancing. The only problem is, I'll get drunk and start dancing again.  When, oh, when will this vicious cycle end!?!? Stay Tuned...

Hey country music fans!  It's Jenna Lee again reporting from LP Field at the 2008 CMA Music Festival.  Our own Allison Demarcus was the host for tonight's show and she did a remarkable job and looked fabulous! 

Ashton Shepherd was the first to take the stage and the crowd went wild when she sang "Takin' Off This Pain."  Fans were out of their seats holding up those cold beers in their right hands to mimic the lyrics of her song. 

Next up was Jack Ingram, who just won top male vocalist at the ACM's. Jack had the ladies going crazy with his semi-unbuttoned black sleeved shirt and his golden locks.  He rocked the crowd with his hit single, "Wherever You Are."

Then two blond beauties took the stage, Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler, to introduce Lady Antebellum, who won top new vocal group at the ACM's... congrats guys! The group opened up with "Looking for a Good Time," and the fans certainly had a great time!  They rounded out with their debut single, "Love Don't Live Here."

Up next was beautiful and talented Miranda Lambert.  She rocked the stage with her hit single, "Famous in a Small Town," from her ACM winning album of the year.  She looked amazing up there!

After Miranda, Carrie Underwood took the stage with sass and style.  Her voice was awesome as always and her outfit was super stylish.  She started off with "Wasted" and finished with her new hit single, "Last Name." I'm just throwing this out there, but Carrie, Taylor, and Kellie should all combine their golden locks to do a trio... heck, make it a quadruple with Julianne Hough!

Choo Choo!  That's right, Josh Turner took the stage and sang "Long Black Train."  The crowd really got into this one... literally!  The fans on the field started their own train as they chugged around the stadium!

Julianne Hough graced the stage with her amazing voice and award-winning dance moves.  Julianne said that her "true love" is singing and she thanked all of her fans for supporting her... fans, you rock!  She sang "That Song In My Head," and that is one song that everyone is glad to have in their heads!

Yee Haw!  Jake Owen took the stage singing just that..."Yee Haw,"  and the fans loved it! Jake said that this was the biggest crowd that he has ever played for... Jake, you did an awesome job!  Siskel and Ebert would have given you two thumbs up!

Miss Taylor Swift took the stage again to introduce an inspiration of hers, the lovely and talented Faith Hill.  Faith gave an awesome performance and her band was insane.  She started off with "Wild One," which go the crowd into one wild mood!  Faith ended with "Piece of My Heart" and blew tons of kisses out to her devoted fans. 

Pop goes the weasel!  Yes, another surprise for the best fans in the world!  Keith Urban made his way to the CMA Music Festival and rocked the crowd with his talent and style.  Everyone was going crazy when he walked on stage... he was amazing and a great end to yet another awesome night at the 2008 CMA Music Festival!  Make sure to check us out tomorrow as we hit the streets during the day and night for country music fun around the clock in Music City USA!

Thanks ya'll and get ready tomorrow to rock it with Lady Antebellum at Paradise Park Trailer Resort for the Rock Band Contest!

Click to see more live blog photos from the 2008 CMA Music Festival

Good morning, friends and neighbors!  We're back at it.  Early this morning our trusty blogging team consisting of Jen, Jenna Lee, Brian and myself were out amongst the legion of fans attending the 2008 CMA Music Festival.  First on our agenda was the Tennessee Morning taping with Joe Nichols at the Hard Rock Cafe.  Joe, all-around good guy and owner of possibly the best true country voice in the biz today, treated the adoring throng to a tender version of "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off."  It was a moving performance.  So much so that, even though the bar wasn't open, half the women in the room were naked before he finished singing.  Then, the Health Department showed up and things got a little ugly.  I won't go any further except to say, if you're thinking of eating lunch today, don't order the veal.  That last little bit is, of course, completely untrue but what is true is Joe's appreciation of his fans.  Here's what he had to say about them:

Well we're gonna be at the River Stage Saturday morning at 10:00, bright and early. It's a little earlier than I usually get up but we're making an exception because it's by God CMA Music Festival.  We had a great time at the block party so thanks to everybody for showing up and at the fan club party and also the softball game. It's been a great week, hope we can do more. Shane:  Tell me about your new record.  Joe: New record is called Real Things and the new single off of Real Things is called "Let's Get Drunk and Fight" and I'm very much looking forward to that. I think it's going to be huge at weddings... it's a love song. It's about a guy that's telling this girl the best time of our relationship is making up so uh, "Let's Get Drunk and Fight!" That is the Arkansas part of it right there. "Honey, I love you -- hate you... Let's get drunk and fight." Shane:  And I know every time I see you I ask you to do this but will have to spell it out in big letters, can you give us and old Sooie Pig?  Joe: "WOOOOOOOO, PIG!  SOOOOOOE!

Joe's a pal it's always good to see him.  And you can see him Saturday morning when he performs at 10:00 am at the Riverfront Park.

After we spoke with Joe, we talked to a couple of true country fans who were decked out in full festival fashion.  We talked to them about the required uniform for surviving the festival:

We are here with two country music fans attending the 2008 CMA Music Festival and what are your names and where are you from?  Rebecca:  I'm Rebecca Gayhart and I'm from Crestwood, Kentucky.  Brice:And I'm Brice Gayhart from Crestwood, Kentucky. Shane:  Well the reason I came up to you is because you guys are outfitted for the day, you know -- you don't come to fan fair wearing a coat and tie, you gotta come with the right equipment and the right clothes to stay cool.  Tell us about your outfit here.  Rebecca:  It's just a tank top and shorts.  Brice:  We learned from before, we know what to wear.  Rebecca:  So far we are having a great time here, this is our 2nd time here.  Shane:  So here's a big question, you've got the bottle water, you got the back  -- you're ready to rock, but you have the most essential item for surviving fan fair... The Fanny Pack.  If you don't mind, will you tell us what's in there?  Rebecca: A fan.  Shane: That's why they call it fan fair!  Rebecca:  Um, pens, autograph book and a camera.  Shane:  Sounds good to me!  Good luck at fan fair and have a good time.

Well, there you have it.  A lesson in survival.  Learn it and live it, fans!  Otherwise, you'll wind up as a sweaty little puddle on the sidewalk and odds are that will take away from your enjoyment of the festival. THat's all for now.  Next, we're off to Andy Griggs Fan Club Party.  We'll be talking to Andy, listening to his music and chatting with his fans... but mostly we'll be scarfing down the free buffet.  And we'll tell you about it all when we come back.  Adios for now...

Hi-diddly-ho, neighbors!  The CMT Blog Team just returned from Andy Griggs Fan Club Party and quite a party it was.  Lots of fans and lots of free food!  Burgers right off the girll, big, juicy dogs and big ol' bowl of the musical fruit... baked beans.  That bountiful buffet provided us with plenty of nourishment from our four favorite food groups: meat, grease, salt and cheese.  That's genuine Music Fest food, right there!  Nobody eats salad during this unless they're a communist!

While we were all shoveling it in like we were going to the electric chair, we ran into our favorite beauty queen from last night's fashion show, Taylor Ann Stefans.  She and her mom and dad were making the round and were waiting for Andy G.  to make the scene.  Just then, to our surprise, Andy's publicist invited us on his bus.  Not only that, but Andy's buddies Rhett Akins and Marty Brown were there providing moral support for their pal as we got up close and personal with Andy.  Here's what Mr. Griggs had to say about this party, his new record and most importantly, his fans:

Out of all the events this one matters most because now we're working for the boss.  You know you've got publishers, managers and you got everyone pulling you sideways but you only have one boss... and that's the fans.   I mean you try to please them because man they are... if you can picture it this way, they are the person behind the desk either accepting your music or they're not so this is the best week out of the year.  More so than the ACM Awards or the CMA Awards or anything else that can happen because this week is all about the boss. Shane: Tell us a little bit about your fan club party and your new record.  Andy:We've been looking forward to this and I've got two of my best friends in music with me.  I got Rhett Akins and we've known each other for I don't seven or eight years I guess.  He was probably one of the first artists that I ever met and he probably don't even remember doing that but he was being charitable and shook my hand and all that.  And of course Marty Brown I've been a fan of.  I was a fan of his and his songwriting and his style.  You know we decided, me and Tracy Byrd, we decided alright, we both miss the intimate fan club parties.  We had been doing the big parties at the Wild Horse and it was almost too big and it lost it's personal touch so we ended up last year looking at each other and saying "that was the last one wasn't it?"  And I said "yeah yeah, I miss it".  And he said "I miss mine too."  So before we started inviting people I said, "I get Marty and I get Rhett, so it's gonna be a lot of fun.  We're fixin' to go in there and play some songs and I can't wait to look everybody in the eye.  And like I said this is a special week and if you have a family inside of country music, it's your fan club members, so this is like a family reunion.  Marty:  Let's promote that new record!  Tell em' that! Andy: Ah... we got a brand new record that just came out. It's called The Good Life and it's with Montage Records and it's doing great.  We're really, really, really looking forward to it and doing big things.  We're fixin' to be releasing a single and actually I'm on the Pickin' and Poker Tour and we're fixin' to play The World Series of Poker and one song fits it so that may be the new single and it's called "It's All About the Money." Shane:  I can tell you from experience this fan club parties already been a success because the hot dogs were high quality my friend.  Andy:  (In a possessed auctioneers voice) "Well we're down here at good ole' Andy Griggs fan club party with Good Ole' Rhett Akins, Marty Brown it's where the hot dogs are hot and the cokes are cold."  Shane:  Thanks man!  Andy:  You bet!  That was cool.

There's a man with a lot to say and who says it very well. There's lots more coming up at this years CMA Music Festival and we'll give you the inside scoop on as much as we can... at least until our legs give out or we collapse from heat stroke.  Our dedication only goes so far.  That's it for now!  Stay tuned...

So even though it's CMA Music Festival week, some people still have to work... like Shane Caldwell. So, Brian (photographer) and I (Jen the typist) went out to capture more of the happenings around town. 

We were flat out asked if we were the "funny ones" who write the live blog when speaking to James Otto.  We hung our heads in shame and had to confess that Shane's comedic mastery is the sole purpose of everyone's interest here unfortunately not ours.   But that shall not deter us and we will carry on in the spirit of CMA Music Festival.  With that... here are James Otto's thoughts about CMA Music Fest, his fans and his Number 1 Party...

You know -- we've been from the softball game to the parade, I was the Grand Marshall.  And then all the signings and everything else.  We've just been busy meeting fans and doing as much as we can. I would like to say to all my Ottomaniacs -- "Thank you for the number one record and I'm looking forward to this next single.  I hope you guys like it as much as I do and I just got started lovin' you all!"  Jen:  And you have a Number 1 party coming up tonight correct?  James: I do, there's a number one party at Limelight this evening and I get to celebrate that victory, it's pretty cool.  Jen:  How great is it to do that during fan fair week?  James:  Absolutely unbelievable!  The timing of all that stuff is amazing you know so I think it's probably going to be packed and I'm gonna have a lot of my friends over for a jam afterwards Limelight around 11:00 and I'm really looking forward to all that.  Jen:  And how do you feel about fanny packs?  James:  Well ya know, I guess you can fit a lot in those fanny packs and they are stylish!

As we were leaving the dark abyss of the media room (very scary I might add -- we were summoned to booth number 10 and wondered if the light above was going to start shaking) we stumbled upon All-American country artist Mr. Aaron Tippin.  He was gracious enough to give us a few minutes...

I've been at the booth signing autographs.  We just did Riverfront Stage and had a great show over there and I'd just like to say to everybody come on over and see Aaron!  I'll be signing 10-12:00 tomorrow  and then I gotta gig out of town but I'll be back Sunday.  So tell 'em to come see me! 

So you heard him -- go see him! And we were told by one of Aaron's people about what happened at his performance he had just completed at the Riverfront Stage.  She said, "Aaron doesn't like to boast about himself but he was just honored with an award from the military for his numerous performances in Iraq.  The award was presented to him by Judy Seales."  Aaron does a lot of performing and traveling for the soldiers.  He then told us that he goes to Bethesda Hospitals and Walter Reed Army Medical Center and visits soldiers right after they have been wounded.  One soldier in particular who had been wounded in the jaw and right arm had a big orange sign on his door that said "If you are going to come in here, I want no sympathy or pity.  I was doing a job that I love for a country that I love."  And we loved that! We send a hearty thank you to all of those protecting us.

From the media room we ventured into the "belly of the beast" and started drifting around the convention center floor.  We laughed, we cried, we took pictures just like everyone else.  And this is what we came up with...

Our first stop was our own alma mater... The CMT Booth. It was packed with country music fans, fanny packs, cowboy hats, rhinestones, and the ocean of orange CMT handbags!  Emily West was drawing the crowds so we snapped off a picture and moved along.

And just like the other throngs of fans we saw Kix Brooks, Wine maker extraordinaire!  We do love that Red Fox Red! We also saw fan fest favorite, Neal McCoy, female favorite Luke Bryan as well as everyone's favorite gladiator... The Wolf!

That's it for our day here at CMA Music Festival. Next will be Jenna Lee's report from the nightly concerts at LP Field...

Hi ya'll!  This is Jenna Lee reporting live from the first night at the CMA Music Festival... and I must say, this was one great night of music to get the party started.  Phil Stacey got things rolling by singing the National Anthem with accompanying fireworks and fighter planes flying sky high over LP Field in downtown Nashville.

So with 90% of the fans with beer in hand and the cowboy hats to complete the country look...it was time to start the party!  Miss Jennifer Hanson was the first to take the stage singing "Love Will Find a Way Around,"  which is from her new album that was released on June 3rd. 

After Jennifer was the infamous Montgomery Gentry.  The crowd really went wild for these guys!  Troy Gentry rocked the stage with his suave looks and Eddie Montgomery was doing crazy flip tricks with the microphone stand while sporting a flashy black cowboy hat and shades.  After their performance, all the fabulous CMT Interns swarmed lucky section #113 to throw out hundreds of #1 Fan foam fingers.

Next up was southern belle, Kellie Pickler, who rocked the crowd with her sassy style.  This is Kellie's second performance at the CMA Music Festival, but she looked like a veteran up there!  Kellie performed her new single, "Don't You Know Your Beautiful' and the crowd loved it!

SURPRISE!  Guess who showed up!?  Yes, Jessica Simpson!  Jessica has a new album coming out in September... and she has gone country!  Her single on the album is, "Come on Over," although she didn't sing it for us! 

Luke Bryan was the next artist to take the stage... he has been performing at the CMA Music Festival for the past three years.  He was a hit with all the fans, getting out of their seats clapping to "All My Friends Say."  And I'm sure a lot of fans are not going to have a clue of what went down tonight!

Taylor Swift made her way to the middle of the sea of fans to introduce Jewel who was sporting a neon green long sleeved dress.  She rocked it and had the crowd excited by playing her well-known hit, "You Were Meant For Me."

THEN...we were graced with another surprise... Rascal Flatts stormed the stage and the crowd went insane jumping to their feet.  They kicked their performance off with "Me and My Gang" and finished out right with "Bob That Head."  And congratulations Joe Don Rooney on your new baby boy, Jagger Donovan Rooney. 

Now for the part of the night that I couldn't wait for and apparently the massive section of fourteen-year-old girls behind me felt the same... I may need to have ear replacement surgery tomorrow! But the lovely Taylor Swift took the stage and the entire stadium was going crazy for her!  Rockin' her signature dress and cowgirl boot look, Taylor sang, played the trashcan (yes, I did say trashcan), and showed off her skills on the guitar.  I don't know how she does it... I tried my best at Rock Band on guitar the other day and it sounded like a cat was being tortured... which is why I was in the audience and not up there with her!

And last, but certainly not least, was Sugarland...there was laughter, dancing, screaming and even tears!  Well it was either tears or sweat!  Sugarland put on one hell of a show, they were great!  I even made a friend down in the sea of fans, Farmer Ned and his pig Bo... we went out for a burger after, great guy!  Ok... I'm just kidding!  But Nashville sure had a great time tonight and all of the performers did an amazing job.  CMA Music Festival is by far the craziest, most fun country party in the world!

Well, that's all for tonight everyone.  Check back tomorrow for up-to-date blogs on the cool happenings of the 2008 CMA Music Festival.

Click to see more live blog photos from the 2008 CMA Music Festival

Well, friends. Here it is!  Our first report from our very first event at the 2008 CMA Music Festival!  It's the Country Weekly Fashion Show, live from the Wildhorse Saloon right here on 2nd Avenue in Nash Vegas.  An evening full of fashion, fun and fired up fans wiating to see their favorite stars stroll down the catwalk and shake their money-makers.  And let me tell you, they weren't disappointed!

Jen, Jenna Lee, Brian and I arrived at 6:30 for the pre-show press gathering.  By the way, you know they're stretching the definition of the word "press" if they're letting me in.  Nevertheless, we were ushered right in, adorned with color-coded writst bands and then taken upstairs to the hospitality room.  Upon entering, I heard my two favorite words: Open Bar. As we bellied up (and by we, I mean me), a parade of hot country stars entered the already steamy, stuffy press area and in between wiping rivers of sweat off my forehead, we were able to talk with a bunch of them.  Here's what some of your favorites had to say about this years festival:

This is Jeff Cook formally of Alabama, now of the All Star Good Time Band and we want to advise you to come and see us anytime we're in your area.  We'll be having a good time and we want you to have one. I've been coming to fan fair as long as I can remember. Shane: Does it get better every year or does it get to you?  Jeff: I don't remember last week so... Shane:What do you have coming up here.  Well  the coming Saturday they are putting up statues of Alabama in our hometown at City Park and they're a quarter life size.  Of course I don't know who they used to model for it.  Shane:Thanks for talking with us and have a good time.  Jeff:Thanks for putting me on here and I will have a good time.  

Hello this is Jimmy Wayne just hanging out here at CMA Music Festival.  Please come out we are going to be doing some river stage performances down there here on Saturday, uh...12:40, um...pm.  And all week at the Opry I'm gonna be singing at the matinee show on Saturday as well.  A little fan club party tomorrow morning at Fiddle's off of Old Hickory Blvd, off 65 South, tomorrow morning at 8:30.  So please join me and I look forward to seeing everybody.  And if I don't get the chance to see ya, have a lot of fun, enjoy yourself. Just let it go, this is ALL about you guys so enjoy yourself. Shane: How many fan fairs have you been to, what number are you up to?  I've been in town and going on 11 years.  But professionally I'd say this is my fifth one.  Shane: Are they getting better?  Jimmy:  Yeah, you start learning what to do and what not to do and you know it's not much to it just make sure you follow the boss and they tell you where to go. Shane:  You said the one thing I think everybody knows and everybody believes, "It's about the fans..." Jimmy:  It's all about the fans man, it's not about us you know I just feel lucky to be here so I'm thanking them for allowing me to be here.  It's truely about them, I'm just thankful.

Hey guys, we love you guys, this is Carter's Chord.  Becky, Emily, and Joanna.  We are really excited about this week and we are playing on the river tomorrow so you guys come out and see us... 3:20.  And tonight we are walking in the Wrangler Fashion Show and we are really really crossing our fingers and praying we don't fall. And if we do you can laugh at us.  Go out and get our digital album that comes out June 17, request "Different Breed" on the radio, our new single.  Come see us out on the road with Toby Keith this summer.  Bye!  Shane: Is this your first fan fair.  Charter's Chord:  It's actually our second but last year we were really really new, so this year we know a little more about the ropes and we're really looking forward to it.  This is our first "real" festival.

Hey ya'll this is Sarah Buxton and I'd  just like to say, thank you to the people who supported me this far and I promise I'm gonna do a whole lot more.  I'm ready for a new year.  Shane:  So we are doing a fanny pack count out on the street...are you gonna be wearing one?  Sarah:  I love fanny packs, personally... I wish they would come back.  I think they're great.  It hides everything you want to hide, you know!?  I would love to wear a bag right around my waist, you know?  Or like one of those baby bouncer things, put a baby right there it would be great. Shane:  I have a Hello Kitty one that I wear. Sarah:  I use to wear fanny packs all the time.  I did.  Shane:  Well thank you for talking with us.  Sarah:  Thank you.

Phil Stacey: Thanks to everybody who's here at the CMA Music Festival, it's just really cool to be here.  This is so exciting to me, of course I'm a big country music fan so I'm still star struck meeting all these people that are making all this great music and then meeting the people that have listened to my music and thank everybody for supporting me and you guys kinda rock! 

Jack Greene: You all enjoy the CMA Music Festival this coming week.  Shane:  It's good to talk to a genuine Opry legend!  Jack:  Thank you. 

Lyric Street recording artist, Marcel:What's up fans!?  Air conditioners I call you guys because you guys are the bomb and the coolest. And I want to thank you for all your support over the years and sticking with me.  And this is the year guys, this is when I get to sing my songs on the radio.  So I look forward to seeing you all soon and check it out whenever you can on CMT.com.  Shane: Are you performing this week?  Marcel:  Yeah I'm doing a show at the ABC tent this week which is behind the Hilton Hotel at 2:00 on Saturday and I'm doing signings for different booths throughout the day. I have my record called Believing, which is the story of my life.  Get dropped from my record company and picked up by another one, you know you gotta believe.  Shot my video for "I Love This Song" about a month ago.  It's getting ready to be finalized, so I'm pretty excited right now.  Thanks and God bless you guys.

Chuck Wicks: Okay -- We are backstage, Country Weekly Fashion show, it's a little hot back here because of how many people are back in this small, small room but... I'm excited to walk the catwalk.  Show off some little modeling skills maybe a little "blue steal" at the end of the runway, do a little turn, a little over the shoulder look, I have no idea.  Shane:  You gonna be showing off the guns? Chuck:  Um, should I?  Maybe I think I should.  Well... it may be a gun show tonight, I don't know, I might have to whip out a gun show.  No this is actually very cool.  This is my first event doing the Country Weekly Fashion Show, I know they do it every year but this is a first for me.  I'm looking forward to getting out there and seeing the reaction of the crowd.  It's a bunch of different people coming out and wearing great clothes.  I'm excited for the rest of the week cause I'm jam packed with things and last year when I was at Fan Fest, Fan Fair -- I had nothing to talk about yet I was in the middle of making a record and "Stealing Cinderella" wasn't out yet and we were getting ready to do it and this year, I mean what a difference a year makes.  I mean last year I was watching shows and this year I get to play in them, you know?  So it's a cool little thing.  Shane: Since this is a fashion show, a fan fair fashion show, will you be sporting a fanny pack on the catwalk?  Chuck:  You know I may bring the fanny pack, that's a good point.  You know things that you always need to carry in a fanny pack are of course water, a little tiny spray fan... because it is 90,000 degrees outside... and the occasional ticket because you have to have the tickets to get into the show.  And the camera, see that's the big one.  A lot of people don't forget that, I would forget that one. Thank you everyone.

Neal McCoy: Man I don't need to say nothing, these people, they all know how I feel about 'em.  We appreciate all these old fans who have hung in there with me, I've been around a long time.  We have some loyal ones that keep buying our stuff, call in and request us. Shoot, I just tell 'em I appreciate it and this is a good opportunity to get out there and shake some hands and say howdy. I'm still out there gettin' it done... that's all I know.

Jason Meadows:I gotta tell you we are just proud to be here, this is all about the fans this week and if it wasn't for the fans we wouldn't have CMA Fest or what we use to call Fan Fair and I'm real excited 'cause this year we have a lot going on.  To anybody who attends MY fanclub party I'd like to say thank you for coming, if you didn't I hope to invite you out for next years.  And thank you guys for calling in to the radio for what you do for us guys and God bless you my hat is off to ya.

Chris Young:We had a great day today, early we did a big free show out at Sommet Center Plaza so a big thanks to anybody who was out there for that it was a great crowd, very hot, so people kind of stood through that and anybody who's here tonight, this is going to be very cool and I'm going to try not to fall off the stage.

After our interview with Chris Young, for some reason we were asked by event personnel to go downstairs to find our seats.  I'm nto saying we got the bum's rush but I did notice we were the only ones that were being moved out of there!  Maybe the light refracting off my silver and black bowling shirt was hurting their eyes.  Maybe the other reporters were jealous of my cutting-edge, 100% digital, James Bond size voice recorder when compared to their big, bulky old school equipment.  Or maybe my ample girth was being blamed as the cause of the stifling heat that coursed thorough the room.  Whatever it was, it got us booted.  So we went downstairs to our seats and waited for the show to begin.  While we were staring at our watched waiting for the kickoff, we met a pretty yound lady from Wisconsin who was a literal princess.  I'll let her introduce herself right now:

I am Taylor Ann Stefans and I'm from Wisconsin. I'm way far from my home and we come up here about every year to listen to all the great music here. Shane:  Well you are wearing a crown and a sash, tell me about that...  Taylor:Well I am this years Dream Girl's High Point Champion for the state of Wisconsin and I got to go to Nashville but I won best pagent spirit and this year I'm the reigning queen.  Shane: Now high point champion, what does that mean?  Taylor:Well, it's the highest points out of any girl in the whole pagent.  Shane:  Oh so it's a pagent they have every year?  Taylor: Yeah, this is the first year it was back in Wisconsin.  Shane:  Now this is a pretty big crown you got here does that make your head heavy?  Taylor: No not really, I get use to it. Shane: How long have you been the high point champion?  Taylor:  Well, I got this in February so it's just been a few months.  Shane:  And is this your mom and dad here?  Taylor:  Yes, my dad acutally has his own album called Country Rock Star.  His name is Tracy Stefans.  Shane: And besides your dad, who's your favorite country star? Taylor:  Well, actually it's a group... they are called Sugarland.  Shane:  What's your favorite thing about fan fair?  Taylor:  I love everything about fan fair, I'm a country music fanatic.

With that the show began.  And unlike most events of this size, this one began on time.  At precisely 8:00, my blogging buddy from the ACM Awards, Shane Tarleton took the stage:

It was Shane's thankless duty to read the rules and regulations of the evenings event.  It's kind of like the boring segment on the Oscars when the two guys from Price Water House come out and stumble through the voting regulations.  However, my boy Shane managed to make this part of the evening quite entertaining.

After Shane's presentation we were shown a video that let us know what the evening was really about.  To benefit Musicians on Call, a non-profit organization that brings live music to the bedsides of patients in heathcare facilities.  Regardless of how the fashion rated this cause gets two big thumbs up from us all. Seeing some of the biggest stars from all genres of music, putting smiles on the faces of sick kids would make sitting through any fashion show worth it. Even if it was held on my Uncle Charlie's pig farm... which by the way, smells lovely. But I digress... back to the show...

The night really began when country star Neal McCoy came out to serve as host.  After borrowing a pair of Sally Jesse Raphael eye glasses from a member of the audience so he could read his cue cards... the long-legged cowboy started the parade of duded-up country stars and the highlights are coming up...

The first to hit the stage was vocal duo Montgomery Gentry wearing a twin ensemble of snazzy sport shirts and black jeans.  And to top it all off, Eddie had on a little biker hat I think he stole from a Marlon Brando impersonator. As the dynamic duo struted down the catwalk, Neal McCoy let the fans know that they could bid on these items of clothing and basically take them home right off the artists bodies.  Given that it was about 112 degrees inside the Wildhorse and both Montgomery and Gentry seem to be a little moist from the heat... Neal may have unwhittingly lowered the asking price for those jeans.

It was good to see Bryan White back.  It was even better to see his wife, Erica.  The soon-to-be again soap opera actress (Days of Our Lives) got quite a few cat calls in her halter dress.  Bryan, you lucky bastard!  Mica Roberts was a hit in her simple blue top, blue jeans and red hot bod! Pardon me while I get a cold drink... to pour on myself. 

The ladies in the audience seemed to like brand new Lyric Street artist and former hockey player, Marcel.  He's the first guy who actully did any posing.  He must have watched Madonna's Vogue video when he was in elementary school.  He was almost too good at it. However his former career as a hockey player should erase any doubts to his masculinity. I say that so he won't body-check me through a wall.

Danielle Peck did all the guys in the audience a favor, just by showing up. I don't remember what she was wearing... nor do I care.  It could have been a towsack and she would have still looked great.

"100% Cowboy" Jason Meadow's came out in a pair of Wrangler jeans that he must have been breaking in since the late 70's. Something tells me they didn't have to provide Jason's clothes for the evening... he had them hanging in his closet.  He did a little posing, showed off the guns, wiggled his ass, and hop-stepped off the stage to a big round of applause.  And the women in the audience were 100% pleased.

One of our favorite guest bloggers came out next, Chuck Wicks.  He came out in a white long-sleeve shirt and skin tight jeans. His subtle, sexy moves had the women cheering and I have to say as a man, 100% man... he looked pretty damn good to me too. I'm not saying anything but if we were marooned on a desert island for many, many, many years... I might think about it. Did I mention many?  Let me reiterate...MANY, MANY years.

The three sisters that make up Carter's Chord in three lovely dresses.  Jenna Lee remarked "They're so cute!" I replied, "Yes they are...prehaps a little to cute for a dirty old man like me!" I then averted my eyes until they left the stage. I don't want to get a visit from NBC's Chris Hanson.

Trent Willmon lived up to his nickname "Beerman," as he took the stage with beer in hand. Trent's another guy who basically left home catwalk ready. I was glad to see the beer was not just a prop... he downed it as he walked off stage. I was hoping he would throw the bottle at someone and start a fight or give one to me.  Either way I would have been happy.

I was glad to see Trent Tomlinson again.  I haven't seen him since he was eating watermelon with Hazel Smith on Southern Fried Flicks and it's good to see that didn't do too much damage to him... I thought he had busted a gut laughing that day.  

Maybe the best performance of the night came from Emily West. She came out in a stunning black sequin dress carrying a bottle of wine and a glass. She uncorked the bottle with her teeth and poured herself a heeping helping of cabernet.  All this while shaking what God gave her for the amusement of the crowd.  Before she left the stage, Neal McCoy asked Emily to perform one of her many singing impressions.  The audience voted for Reba and she belted out a chorus of "Still"that had all of us wondering is it live or is it Memorex? 

A short time later Jennifer Hanson hit the stage.   We were suppost to talk to her earlier in the evening but we were told she was not going to arrive in time, but she was definitly on time on the catwalk in an incredibly short skirt that made me proud to be a man.  Have I mentioned that I'm a dirty old man?  If you haven't figured that out by now... keep reading... it gets worse. 

And finally I've saved the best for last... Lorrie Morgan! Great hoogly-moogly she looked incredible! I gotta tell ya, who needs Shania and Faith Hill with Lorrie around?  She has never looked better.  And the audience let her know it. She walked down the catwalk to Carrie Underwood's "Last Name" and let me tell ya, when Carrie Underwood gets to be Lorrie's age, she can only hope she looks that good.  Futhermore... Lorrie got back! Good God Almighty, if you bounced a quarter on that thing... you would put an eye out. I don't know who she's seeing now but if she likes fat, hairy guys who are prone to sweat and temperatures over 62 degrees, I'll gladly give her my number.

Well that was it for the official fashion show... but as always, the real fashion was in the audience and out on the street.  Trucker caps, visors, fanny packs, backpacks, buttpacks, shorts, jorts, and all sorts... tank tops and flip flops! That's the real fan fair uniform. In fact, that's America! And tomorrow, we're gonna weigh right back into it. So log on and lock it into us and we continue to bring you the 2008 CMA Music Festival right here on CMT.com.

Click to see more live blog photos from the 2008 CMA Music Festival

It's that time again, my friends!  The time of year when folks from all over the world travel thousands of miles to gather with their families to celebrate the season!  No, I'm not talking about Thanksgiving.  And it ain't Christmas or New Year's either! Stop thinking small, ya'll!  I'm talking big, big, BIG!  And what could be bigger than the 2008 CMA Music Festival?  Armageddon, maybe, but that's a long way off so while you've got the time, join the festivities as we cover the whole shebang from beginning to end with CMT's 2008 CMA Music Festival Big, Bad, Beautiful Live Blog right here on CMT.com.  As always, I'll be joined by trusty typist and all-around good egg Jen Morrison as we take to the streets, clubs, and venues to keep you up to date on events, music and of course, your favorite stars.  And keep a look out because we might just bring a camera along and turn you into a Internet sensation!  The fun starts tonight so log on and lock yourself in for CMT's 2008 CMA Music Festival Live Blog! DON'T...YOU DARE...MISS IT!