"The List" for next year at the CMA Music Fest

Honky Tonkin'!!!!!
Line Dancing one afternoon
Remember to wear orthodics! (for colleen...remember to BRING orthodics)
Have breakfast again at Monell's and Pancake Pantry
Have another Pina colada at Joe Crab's (okay two)
The guys should go shooting more than once!
party until 4am ...oh sorry typo...that would be 4pm!
Go to trace's fan club party (and trisha's again)
marty stuart's late nite jam
Get tickets to Celebrity Series again
Get in early enough into Nashville so we can take a 2 hour nap so we can stay to the end of marty stuart's late nite jam. (I think jerry and I are going to get in the night before!!!)
Toes up time before each big show
Bring a white board!
Remember to "train" up the hill...zigzagging to save energy
Hall of Fame Museum
Bus tour of the stars homes.
have a drink at "The Stop" John Rich's bar on Broadway near the honky tonks.
Get down to the Riverfront Stage more (providing it isn't SO hot)

Last Thoughts Upon Leaving Nashville and the CMA Fest

Had a great time with great people listening to great music and eating WAY TOO MUCH great food. Only thing we didn't overdo was drinking...thank heavens...I think it was too hot (although much of Nashville concertgoers appeared to differ on that opinion).

I forgot to talk about the City of Hope Charity Softball Game held the day before the festival...also known as Sweatin' in the Sun with the Stars....whoooheee it was hot! Here are a few photos from the event from Greer Stadium. Photos include Jo Dee Messina pitching (her team won despite the large number of opposing batters she walked), Sara Evans (who can really play softball, has a good arm, and does NOT run like a girl), and Joe Nichols (who looked good just standing there...but also could play).

Sunday - when we weren't eating

Sunday night's concert was a very pleasant evening (although slightly more humid). Dwight Yoakum performed (his first appearance at the Fan Fair/Music Fest since 1988). He was great. We also saw: Chuck Wicks, James Otto, Bucky Covington, Randy Travis, John Stephan, Sara Evans, Phil Stacey, Billy Ray Cyrus,. And Billy Ray was a pleasant surprise...he really rocked...a great gravelly country rock voice. Randy Travis was ALOT of fun...and we think we is turning into Mick Jagger's country cousin...don't have a picture of him...but next time you see one...see what we mean? At last late night walk back to the hotel was sultry...it was 80 degrees and humid at midnight!!!! AGain...thank god for well air conditioned hotels. Speaking of hotels...The Hermitage Hotel is trully lovely. I really didn't take any pictures of it...but this one of TJDuck and Cowgirl duck (on their first "date") shows some of the lobby...which is spectacular

Friday Night Concert - Keith is the Man!

The CMA Festival nighttime concert at LP Field was as sizzlin' as the day had been. We laid low on Friday afternoon enjoying the air conditioning comfort of the Hermitage Hotel (what a civilizing invention...air conditioning). Come evening we again walked over the Cumberland River to LP Field and enjoyed one heck of an evening!!! Ashton Shepherd, Jack Ingram, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, Jake Owen, and Faith Hill. AND the surprise of the night...the wonder from down under...Keith Urban played us past midnight!!!

CMA Country Music Festival - Day One

What a great day! Peg, Colleen, Mo and I attended Trisha Yearwood's Fan Club Party. We met in a small bar just outside of downtown Nashville and Trisha sang, answered questions, and then took pictures with everyone. A gracious and talented woman with a fabulous, rich voice. Later in the day we went to the Old Ryman Theatre to watch a taping of Celebrity Closeups...interviews with Sara Evans, Joe Nichols, Bucky Covington, and (to be filled in when my memory returns). Great fun. Then last evening (a HOT evening) we enjoyed a great first night concert at the LP field. Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Jewel, Luke Bryan, Jennifer Hanson, and Rascal Flatts. FABULOUS!

Trisha Yearwood at her Fan Club Party


Peg, Trisha Yearwood, Annette (with TJDuck)


Nashville's LP Field - home for 4 nights of the best Country music concerts