Lady Antebellum To Help Launch Fan Fair X at the 2013 CMA Music Festival
X marks the coolest daytime spot for Nashville’s “signature” event in the new AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X (FFX) with autograph signings, concerts, lifestyle exhibits, marketplace, live broadcasts, demonstrations, and more in the brand new, cutting-edge Music City Center during 2013 CMA Music Festival, June 6-9 in Nashville.
“The relationship between our artists and the fans is at the very heart of what this event was founded on, and we continue to embrace that legacy with Fan Fair X,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “By moving to the Music City Center, we are able to provide more opportunities and activities to enhance this treasured experience for the fans.”
The all-new Fan Fair X features all the popular features from past Fan Fair eXperiences and eXpands it to create the most eXceptional, eXciting, and eXtraordinary artist/fan encounters in the 40+ year history of the event.
Leading the way is Lady Antebellum with “Lady A Day at FFX.” To kick the week off, the group will cut the ribbon when the doors officially open to the FFX on Thursday, June 6. From the new Fan Fair X, Lady A will perform, sign autographs in their custom “backstage” booth ClubLabellum, answer questions from fans in an interview segment called CMA Close Up, and is launching their Ping Pong & Songs event to include the thousands of fans in town for the Festival. Fans can also register at FFX for a private meet and greet with the group at LP Field on Friday, June 7.
“I’m looking forward to being in the new Music City Center,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “We’re really excited to be given the opportunity to merge our Ping Pong & Songs event with Music Fest and this new fan experience CMA is creating. Now that fans from all over the country will be able to play ping pong against us, Charles and Dave are going to have to brush up on their skills! All the money we raise at our booth will go to LadyAID – it’s going to be so fun for us and for the fans!”
Scott is no stranger to the world’s biggest meet and greet. When she was just 5-years-old, she started attending the event with her famous mom Linda Davis when CMA Music Festival was known as International Fan Fair and held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
What does she recall of those early years? “Heat! It was really hot. There was no air conditioning, whatsoever. So, I remember sweating a lot, but that’s the thing, Country fans are just so loyal. I’ve been seeing the same people sweat it out at Fan Fair and now CMA Fest since I was 5-years-old…That is just the coolest thing about this genre and those that love it and follow it. They’re just in it for the long haul, and I love that.”
“I think CMA Fest is one of the best fan opportunities in music,” said Dave Haywood. “It’s the best festival that’s put on for fans to get up close with their favorite artists. It’s also cool because there are the stadium shows that have everybody in Country Music out there playing every night.”
“CMA Fest gives us a chance to connect directly with our fans in a way we don’t get to any other time of the year,” said Charles Kelley. “This year, CMA is letting us go all out, so we’re going to bring in the whole touring setup, ping pong and all, and invite as many fans as we can fit ClubLabellum there at FFX!”
FFX offers fans an enhanced experience by adding two new stages, demonstrations, events, and exhibits including the Marketplace with boutiques and artisan booths, and Rockology, featuring an amazing gallery of stunning music memorabilia including Elvis Presley’s 1975 custom Cadillac Coupe De Ville which still retains the bullet hole from the Graceland security officer (who also happened to be Elvis’ uncle) who mistakenly fired a shot into the car. With an expanded footprint, FFX affords more people the opportunity to experience the Festival in comfort and style.
This marks the second year that AT&T has been title sponsor of the exhibit hall experience, first at the Nashville Convention Center and now FFX at the Music City Center.
“We’re excited to be part of this great event and help bring the new Fan Fair X experience to CMA Music Festival’s passionate fan base,” said Brian Collins, assistant vice president U-verse marketing, AT&T Home Solutions. “AT&T U-verse brings customers the best in television entertainment, and Fan Fair X will provide more opportunities than before for fans to get autographs, view concert and lifestyle exhibits, and more.”
The AT&T sponsored stage in FFX will feature performances from Nashville’s great songwriters, celebrity Q&A sessions, and more. But AT&T’s sponsorship of the CMA Music Festival extends beyond FFX to Broadway where the company will showcase its U-verse products and wireless services.
FFX is open Thursday through Saturday (June 6-8) from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM/CT and from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM on Sunday (June 9). Venue doors open at 9:00 AM.
FFX is free to all CMA Music Festival four-day ticket holders. If you do not have a four-day Festival ticket, CMA is making available tickets to FFX for $10 a day; or $25 for a four-day pass to Fan Fair X. Ticket information will be posted closer to the event and will be available at CMAfest.com.
Launched in 2012 and back again in 2013 is an improved online autograph drawing so that fans don’t spend time waiting in long lines only to leave empty handed and disappointed.
“The fans spoke and we listened,” said Moore. “We learned a lot last year and received great feedback from the fans. And we have instituted many of their suggestions as we continue to make this system, fairer, safer, and easier for everyone.”
The new procedures for autograph seekers enhance the overall Festival experience, improve safety, and make the process for securing a treasured autograph with the most popular artists equitable for all Festival goers. The new system will be a drawing with online sign ups and advance notification, which will enable Festival-goers to better schedule their time so they can attend concerts and take part in free events and activities rather than waiting in line in hopes of securing a signature. The advance sign-up system creates a level playing field for all fans to enter for their chance to win an autograph signing ticket.
Of the hundreds of artists appearing in FFX over the four-day event, only a projected 10 percent of signings will require a ticket. All others will be open, non-ticketed signings. A list of autograph sessions that require tickets and directions on how to enter will be posted May 20 at CMAfest.com.
Fans can purchase four-day CMA Music Festival tickets, which include the nightly concerts at LP Field and access to the new FFX at Music City Center, through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1-(800)-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378). Ticket prices are based on the level of seating and range from $135 to $350 plus handling fees. A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are also available (parking is not included in the Festival ticket price), ranging from $60 for Cars to $140 for an RV/Motorcoach, plus handling fees. Parking passes are available by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST.
Fans can stay in the loop by visiting CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, where they can sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news. Fans can also connect with CMA at Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
