NASHVILLE, TN (CelebrityAccess) — CMA announced that they are expanding their CMA Music Fest with the addition of two new stages.
Both of the new stages — the AT&T Skyview Stage and Budweiser Acoustic Stage — will be located at t Ascend Amphitheater, which opened in downtown Nashville in 2015.
To mark the addition of the stages, CMA is hosting a free Kick-Off Concert and Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, June 8 which will be hosted by country performer Chris Young and features appearances by the Mayor of Nashville Megan Barry, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Metro Nashville Public Schools students who have benefited from CMA Foundation funds generated by the Festival.
Immediately following the Opening Ceremonies, CMA will host the festival's kick off concert, which will include live performances by artists played on SiriusXM’s The Highway as part of “Highway Finds” – the channel’s ongoing initiative to introduce new Country artists. The lineup includes Frankie Ballard, Clare Dunn, High Valley, Steve Moakler, William Michael Morgan, Old Dominion, Michael Ray, Aubrie Sellers, and Kalie Shorr.
Appearing on the AT&T Skyview Stage are Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots and “The Wonderful Women of Country”; Sara Evans; Tracy Lawrence and Friends; Marshall Tucker Band and Friends; Ashley Monroe; Music City Hit-Makers; Shenandoah; Sister Hazel; and The Oak Ridge Boys – “A Salute to America.”
Artists scheduled to appear with Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots during “The Wonderful Women of Country” are Danielle Bradbery, Lindsay Ell, Jana Kramer, Maddie & Tae, Cassadee Pope, Hillary Scott, Lucie Silvas, and Natalie Stovall.
The Budweiser Acoustic Stage will be geared for smaller performances in an unsurprisingly acoustic format. Artists scheduled to appear include Seth Alley, Carlton Anderson, Chris Bandi, Rylie Bourne, Jeston Cade, Hannah Dasher, Hannah Ellis, Lacy Green, Emily Hackett, Kree Harrison, Jillian Jacqueline, Like Strangers, Hunter Phelps, Post Monroe, Jameson Rodgers, Brent Rupard, Shelley Skidmore, CJ Solar, and Mitchell Tenpenny. iHeartRadio personalities will also be on hand to serve as hosts for the stage. – Staff Writers
