2008 CMA Music Festival attendance and presales for next year exceed expectations and break records
With daily attendance running about 52,000 a day (4,000+ above last year) over the four-day festival, Nashville couldn’t be more pleased with this year’s turnout – Proving once again there isn’t much that can stop an avid country fan from participating in this event every year. Not even the ridiculous gas prices and record-breaking heat seemed to phase the fans. As if that wasn’t proof enough of country music fans’ loyalty - presales for 2009 have already exceeded past years’ sales.
"I believe that speaks to the strength of the event, the popularity of our artists, the dedication of our fans, and the entertainment value of the festival," says CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. "You know you are giving the fans what they want when they put down their hard-earned money for an event and we haven't even announced who will be performing.”
The annual festival’s reputation for a strong roster, action-packed activities and surprise guests keeps the fans coming back year after year. Whether it’s Jessica Simpson popping up at several festival functions or Keith Urban leaping from the stage, sprinting into the stands and autographing his guitar for a stunned fan – CMA Music Festival has something to delight virtually everyone – And when I say everyone – I mean everyone from everywhere. The appeal of this festival attracted attendees from every state and 28 foreign countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom (which includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Proof positive once again that the up-close-and-personal format of this highly successful festival strikes a universal chord.
Even the media came out in record numbers. More than 750 journalists from over 200 domestic and international media outlets were credentialed for the 2008 CMA Music Festival.
Visiting fans and locals alike came in droves to make some memories - in a quest for some once-in-a-lifetime experiences…and the festival delivered…as always.
As members of the media, we tend to be so intent on getting every juicy tidbit that we often forget to enjoy ourselves. This is one of the few events I have covered that afforded me opportunities to indulge myself – An event that I can honestly say is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – every year.