Thursday, May 24, 2007 – A free concert featuring Jason Michael Carroll, Elizabeth Cook, Jennifer Hanson, Tanya Tucker and Darryl Worley will kick off the CMA Music Festival in early June in Nashville.
"What a great way to get the celebration kicked into high gear than to have a free parade and concert on the Chevy Music Tour Stage for residents, people who work downtown and our festival attendees," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese.
On Wednesday, June 6, The Third Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade jump starts the annual event starting at 2:30 p.m. central on Broadway. The procession features artists and celebrities riding in cars and trucks, specialty vehicles and a one-of-a-kind Chevy Country Music Silverado.
Other participants include Blue County, Pirates of the Mississippi, PovertyNeck Hillbillies, Pam Tillis and Two Foot Fred. Setting the pace will be NASCAR drivers Scott Wimmer (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet) and Shane Huffman (No. 88 NAVY "Accelerate Your Life" Chevrolet).
Immediately following the parade, the free Second Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party will be held.
"Music continues to play an integral role in what drives Chevrolet in its advertising and marketing programs, and so our extended partnership through 2008 with the CMA Awards and CMA Music Festival is a perfect union," said Kim Kosak, Chevrolet's General Director of Advertising and Sales Promotions. "The Chevy Music Tour is a centerpiece for Chevrolet's music promotions, and with its integration at the 2007 CMA Music Festival, fans can experience the breadth of our products in a fresh, fun-filled way."
The Block Party is just the start of four days of live music on the Chevy Music Tour Stage with a variety of performances, including showcases of Bluegrass and Latin Country Music.
"The U.S. Hispanic Country Music Association is excited to collaborate with CMA for this year's Latin Country Show, part of CMA's Music Fest activities. I am proud to have our members participate and am confident that Johnny Rodriguez, Bobby Marquez, Melanie Torres and John Arthur Martinez will add a stellar performance and one that country music fans will remember throughout the year," said Maritza Baca, president of the U.S. Hispanic Country Music Association.
"CMA Music Festival prides itself on presenting the full spectrum of country music and we are very appreciative of the support we received from Maritza Baca at the U.S. Hispanic Country Music Association and Dan Hayes at the International Bluegrass Music Association in providing artists for these two, new and eagerly anticipated concert events at the Festival," said Genovese.
Chevy Music Tour Stage performers include (schedule and artists subject to change):
Thursday, June 7
10:30 a.m. Bobby Pinson
11:30 a.m. Greg Hanna
12:30 p.m. Con Hunley
1:30 p.m. Kyle Wyley
2:30 p.m. Beverley Mitchell
3:30 p.m. Jedd Hughes
Friday, June 8
10:30 a.m. Burrito Deluxe
11:30 a.m. Chase Mitchell
12:30 p.m. Rissi Palmer
1:30 p.m. Billy Yates
2:30 p.m. Sunny Sweeney
3:30 p.m. Daniel Lee Martin
Saturday, June 9
10:30 a.m. Minnie Murphy
11:30 a.m. Keni Thomas
12:30 p.m. Latin Country Music Show
Johnny Rodriguez
1:30 p.m. Bobby Marquez
2:30 p.m. Melanie Torres
3:30 p.m. John Arthur Martinez
Sunday, June 10
10:30 a.m. David St. Romain
11:30 a.m. Austin Cody
12:30 p.m. Damon Smith
1:30 p.m. Bluegrass Showcase
Infamous Stringdusters
2:30 p.m. Alecia Nugent
3:30 p.m. Cherryholmes
