Plus, a Flora + Fauna and TailGate beer collab.
 
05.19.2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

51º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:58 a.m. | Sunset 4:48 p.m.
 

⏪ Flashback Friday

Blast to the past: Fast facts for 50 years of CMA Fest
An archival photo of the crowd's view from the stands, overlooking a Fan Fest stage at the Nashville Fairgrounds.
Did any of our readers attend Fan Fair when it was held at the Nashville Fairgrounds? | Photo via CMA Fest
50 years of one of Music City’s biggest annual events calls for a trip down memory lane. How many of these CMA Fest facts did you know?

1. CMA Fest began in 1972 as “Fan Fair.”

2. The first fest brought 5,000 fans to Nashville Municipal Auditorium.

3. CMA Fest is the longest-running country music festival in the world.

4. 2022’s festival featured 250+ acts across nine stages.

5. A portion of sales since 2006 have gone to the CMA Foundation, which supports music education initiatives for kids in grades K-12.

Garth Brooks signs his autograph for a fan in the midst of a crowd.

Garth Brooks signs autographs at Fan Fair.

|

Photo via CMA Fest

6. The name rebrand came in 2004 due to declining ticket sales associated with the word “fair.”

7. Fan Fair relocated to the Nashville Fairgrounds in 1982 before moving downtown in 2001.

8. The artists who play or appear don’t get paid for the event.

9. Garth Brooks surprised fans at the fairgrounds in 1996, signing autographs for 23 hours and 10 minutes.

10. The fest was first introduced as a way to prevent overcrowding at the industry’s annual Country Music DJ convention.
Think fast: 8 more facts this way
Shaker Village KY
 
Events

Friday, May 19
  • Crawfish/Shrimp Boil | Friday, May 19-Saturday, May 20 | Times vary | New Heights Brewing, 928 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | Cost of purchase | South Coast Seafood will be serving up crawfish with corn and potatoes, charbroiled oysters, shrimp, and more.
  • Shrek Rave | Friday, May 19 | 9 p.m. | Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, 925 3rd Ave. N. | $32+ | This dance party is set to the theme of cult classic “Shrek.”
Saturday, May 20
  • International Food Festival | Saturday, May 20 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Plaza Mariachi, 3955 Nolensville Pk. | Cost of purchase | Every Saturday in May, this food festival celebrates global flavors, cultures, and entertainment with a rotating selection of 15-20 international food vendors.
  • Gifford’s Live Fire Dinner Party | Saturday, May 20 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Gifford’s Bacon, 1109 Straightway Ave. | $75 | The special dinner will be cooked over coals and served family style.
  • Hip Hop Cinderella | Saturday, May 20-Sunday, May 21 | 2-3 p.m. | Nashville Children’s Theatre, 25 Middleton St. | $20-$25 | Ring in the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop with a futuristic remake of a classic fairytale, complete with a wicked stepmother, two social media-obsessed stepsisters, a dreamy prince + a rap competition.*
Sunday, May 21
  • Musician Spotlight: Laura Weber White | Sunday, May 21 | 1-1:45 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | Cost of admission | Hear from Laura Weber White, a multi-instrumentalist primarily known for playing fiddle.
  • Band-Maid | Sunday, May 21 | 8 p.m. | Brooklyn Bowl, 925 3rd Ave. N. | $30 | The rock band celebrates its 10th anniversary tour.
Monday, May 22
  • Monday Night Jazz in the Park | Monday, May 22 | 5-6 p.m. | Church Street Park, 600 Church St. | Free | Grab a blanket or lawn chair for this jazz concert in the park.
Tuesday, May 23
  • School Night | Tuesday, May 23 | 6 p.m. | The Electric Jane, 1301 Division St. | $12.05 | Discover new music with performances by Hollier, Steinza, Abby Holliday, and Erin Kinsey.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes

Civic
  • The qualifying deadline to run for mayor, vice mayor, and Metro Council was yesterday — though, candidates can remove themselves from the ballot until Thursday, May 25. (Nashville Scene)
Development
  • Officials tapped Atlanta-based TVS as the architect for the future Tennessee Titans stadium. TVS was in part behind the design of Music City Center + the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and will work with the project’s design architect, MANICA. (Nashville Post)
Traffic
  • Heavy traffic and delays are expected today in anticipation of the Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks concert at Nissan Stadium this evening. The city will utilize the traffic plan for all stadium events — review road closures.
Announced
  • The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix released the artist lineup for the Wesley Mortgage Freedom Friday Tribute Concert on Friday, Aug. 4. Performers include Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line, Chris Janson, Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe, Gavin DeGraw, and more.
History
  • Speaking of CMA Fest and history told via photos. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will open a free photography exhibit highlighting 50 years of the festival from June 6-November. A screening of 1997’s “Fan Fair Phenomenon” will also play on June 10. (The Tennessean)
Active
  • Other newly announced CMA Fest activities include Fitness at Fest (Friday, June 9-Saturday, June 10). Registration includes a workout and swag. Plus, “Country on Court: Pickleball at CMA Fest” (Thursday, June 8-Saturday, June 10), a celeb pickleball tournament + open play.
Shop
  • Looking for other activities that weekend? Save the date: Opry Mills will participate in National Outlet Shopping Day on Saturday, June 10-Sunday June 11 with deals across some of its stores.
Finance
  • Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
Eat
  • Your new excuse to go to 321 Pizza Company: You just became an Offline member and have up to $15 to spend there. The local restaurant club rewards its members with exclusive discounts at two local restaurants each month + more perks. Snag a membership reserved for our readers with code “NASHTODAY.”*
 
City

🐦 Nashville spreads its wings as the first Tennessee city to earn this designation

Nashville becomes first Tennessee city to earn designation as an Urban Bird Treaty City
Mayor Cooper is joined by other officials to sign the Urban Bird Treaty.
It’s official. | Photo via Metro Nashville
Birds of a feather flock together and Nashville’s newest feat as an Urban Bird Treaty City will ensure just that.

Nashville was recently recognized as the first city in Tennessee and 31st in the nation to achieve this designation. The program seeks to conserve urban habitats and reduce hazards for birds + educate and engage communities to care for the animal.

As many as six Nashville agencies are responsible for making this happen after identifying goals, objectives, and actions to make the city a greener place for the community and its migratory birds as part of the Nashville Bird Agenda.
 
The Wrap
 
Skylar

Today’s edition by:
Skylar
From the editor
Coffee and beer lovers unite. Flora + Fauna has collaborated with TailGate Brewery to release a white coffee stout, which utilizes over 13 pounds of coffee per barrel. Flavor notes include caramel, honey, and toast with a rich aroma of light roasted coffee, almonds, milk chocolate, and a hint of pear.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Subscribe     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY