New York, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Country
Music Association) - Two-time CMA Award winner
Gretchen Wilson will kick off 2009 CMA
Music Festival on the Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park on Thursday, June 11 (10:00 AM/CT). Known for her energetic performance, Wilson will rev up the non-stop four-day party, taking place in Downtown Nashville through Sunday, June 14.
Sony Nashville recording artist Wilson will release her fourth studio album later this year. The 2005 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Award winner has racked up numerous hits, including "Here for the Party," "When I Think About Cheatin'," "Homewrecker," "All Jacked Up," "California Girls," "Come to Bed," and her signature hit "Redneck Woman." After becoming an inspiration to millions for returning to high school and receiving her General Education Development (G.E.D.) diploma, Wilson recently testified in front of Congress about the importance of funding adult education.
Love and Theft, John Michael Montgomery, and Craig Morgan have also been added to the Riverfront lineup. In addition, One Flew South will sing the National Anthem on Thursday, June 11, and Telstra winner Peter McWhirter from Australia will perform on Friday, June 12 as part of his grand prize. Montgomery will close the daytime party as the last performer at Riverfront Park on Sunday, June 14.
Admittance to the Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park is free, but four-day ticket holders have exclusive early entrance privileges. On Thursday-Saturday, June 11-13, four-day ticket holders can enter Riverfront Park at 9:00 AM; while on Sunday, June 14, they can enter at 10:00 AM. Riverfront Park will open 45 minutes later to the general public. The Riverfront concerts are a popular destination for families who want to enjoy great musical performances while relaxing on the sloping bank of the Cumberland River. The concerts are fun in the sun within easy walking distance of all the Festival event sites, with food vendors, activities, and more.
The opening festivities are just the start of four days of outstanding performances on the Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park. The current schedule is as follows:
Thursday, June 11
Hosted by CMT Radio Live's Cody Alan (morning) and Cledus T. Judd (afternoon)
National Anthem performed by One Flew South
10:00 - 10:45 AM Gretchen Wilson
11:00 - 11:45 AM Phil Vassar
12:00 - 12:30 PM Chuck Wicks
12:45 - 1:15 PM Randy Rogers Band
1:30 - 2:00 PM Ashton Shepherd
2:15 - 2:45 PM James Otto
3:00 - 3:30 PM Bellamy Brothers
3:45 - 4:15 PM Heidi Newfield
4:30 - 5:00 PM Diamond Rio
5:15 - 5:45 PM Neal McCoy
Friday, June 12
Hosted by TBD (morning) and WSIX/Nashville's Slam Duncan (afternoon)
10:00 - 10:45 AM Oak Ridge Boys
11:00 - 11:30 AM Bucky Covington
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Aaron Tippin
12:30 - 1:00 PM John Anderson
1:15 - 1:45 PM Love and Theft
2:00 - 2:30 PM Honky Tonk Tailgate Party (Trent Willmon, Jeff Bates, Mark Wills)
2:45 - 3:00 PM Peter McWhirter (Telstra Winner from Australia)
3:15 - 3:45 PM Eric Church
4:00 - 4:30 PM Craig Morgan
4:45 - 5:15 PM Randy Houser
5:30 - 6:00 PM Clay Walker
Saturday, June 13
Hosted by Billy Dean (morning) and WKDF/Nashville's Becca (afternoon)
10:00 - 10:45 AM Tracy Byrd
11:00 - 11:30 AM Jason Michael Carroll
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Jo Dee Messina
12:30 - 1:00 PM Jamie O'Neal
1:15 - 1:45 PM Bill Anderson
2:00 - 2:30 PM Emerson Drive
2:45 - 3:15 PM Lorrie Morgan
3:30 - 4:00 PM Keith Anderson
4:15 - 4:45 PM The Lost Trailers
5:00 - 5:30 PM Chris Young
5:45 - 6:05 PM WKDF Battle of the Bands Winner
Sunday, June 14
Hosted by T. Graham Brown (morning) and WSM/Nashville's Bill Cody (afternoon)
10:30 - 11:15 AM Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Gloriana
12:15 - 12:45 PM Josh Gracin
1:00 - 1:30 PM Joe Nichols
1:45 - 2:15 PM Jessica Harp
2:30 - 3:00 PM Eli Young Band
3:15 - 3:45 PM Darryl Worley
4:00 - 4:30 PM Joey + Rory
4:45 - 5:25 PM Collin Raye / Restless Heart
5:40 - 6:10 PM John Michael Montgomery
For up-to-the-minute information about four-day ticket packages, single night tickets to the Nightly Concerts on the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field, travel information, schedules, artist appearances and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for e-news. Artists and schedules subject to change.
