By Vernell Hackett
Right about now, somebody who attended the CMA Fest in Nashville this past June is going, “Man, I wish CMA Fest was going on now. I had such a good time.”
Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini co-host tonight’s “CMA Fest 2017” over ABC
The three-hour music extravaganza begins at 7 p.m. Central, and is hosted by Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, who will introduce and interview many of the entertainers who were at the festival.
Well, guess what? They can’t be there in person, but they can relive a lot of memories tonight when “CMA Fest 2017” airs over ABC.
With 28 performances plus the interviews, there will surely be something that will make someone who was at the festival go, “I was there when that happened.”
Among the performers who will be featured are Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban and Chris Young.
Miranda Lambert entertains the crowd in downtown Nashville at CMA Music Fest. (Photos Courtesy CMA)
The crowd went wild when Garth Brooks walked on stage as a surprise performer at the CMA Music Festival Nashville this past June.
The CMA Fest is unique among other music fests because fans and entertainers have one-on-one experiences throughout the four days of the event hits downtown Nashville. The singers take time to meet with fans and give them a bit of personal time as they have their pictures made or sign an autograph.
In addition to the non-stop music of the festival, there are often fan club meet-and-greets and additional concerts for causes special to the artists which happen off the official festival grid, such as Marty Stuart’s late-night concert for MusiCares and Darius Rucker & Friends concert for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.