CMA AND CHEVROLET – THE OFFICIAL RIDE OF COUNTRY MUSIC - EXPAND RELATIONSHIP TO PROVIDE THE ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE DURING THE 2011 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Chevrolet Revs Up Riverfront Stage with Free Entertainment Featuring Many of Country Music’s Hottest Acts
NASHVILLE – CMA and Chevrolet – the Official Ride of Country Music – continue their six year relationship to provide the ultimate fan experience during the 2011 CMA Music Festival, building on an existing platform that combines the power of the automotive brand with the reach and popularity of Country Music with increased activation during 2011 CMA Music Festival, June 9-12.
“Chevy has always been a valued partner with CMA and we are thrilled that they are increasing their participation in this year’s Festival,” said Sheri Warnke, CMA Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. “When we can bring together partner resources to create added value for our events, we are enhancing the experience for all of our stakeholders.”
The Chevrolet Riverfront Stage, a music lover’s dream, will feature free daily concerts with many of Country Music’s hottest acts on the banks of the Cumberland River. Chevrolet is also a sponsor of the Global Artist Showcase, which features aspiring and established Country artists from around the world; The Seventh Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade, with an expanded route through the city; and The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party, which jump starts all the Festival events and activities in downtown Nashville.
“Chevrolet will be a significant part of the 2011 CMA Music Festival,” Warnke said. “One of the great aspects of this partnership is the evolutionary nature of our relationship. We have a very open line of communication with Chevy so that we can take full advantage of new opportunities as they arise, while we are supportive of each other’s goals and objectives.”
“Chevrolet has long been associated with music. In fact, Chevrolet has been mentioned in over 1,000 songs,” said Phil Caruso, manager of national promotions for Chevrolet. “Partnering with CMA provides us with the unique opportunity to bring country music enthusiasts a fan experience like never before.”
As part of the continuous relationship between CMA and Chevrolet, a private Industry Test Drive will occur a week prior to the festival with proceeds benefitting the CMA Foundation. For each test drive taken, Chevrolet will donate $25 to the CMA Foundation, which benefits music education through CMA’s Keep the Music Playing campaign.
On Monday, June 6, beginning at 6:30 PM/CT at The Stage on Broadway, Chevrolet will present the CMA Global Artist Party. Featuring the hottest Country artists from outside of the U.S., the CMA Global Artist Party will include Kaylee Bell (New Zealand), Dean Brody (Canada), Chad Brownlee (Canada), Diana Corcoran (Australia), Luke Dickens (Australia), Tommy Emmanuel (Australia), McAlister Kemp (Australia), O’Shea (Australia), Raintown (United Kingdom), and Marlee Scott (Canada). Attendees of the CMA Global Artist Party will be able to check out the all new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, which will be parked outside of the club.
“The Seventh Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” will begin at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 8, and will feature artists and celebrities riding down Broadway in a variety of Chevrolet vehicles including Corvettes and Silverados. The parade will start at 10th Avenue and end up at Chevrolet Riverfront Park.
With Bill Anderson and The Oak Ridge Boys as the Grand Marshals, other artists participating include Deborah Allen, Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Sherrie Austin, Bo Bice, Bomshel, Ash Bowers, Crystal Bowersox, Lee Brice, Carter’s Chord, Dailey & Vincent, Sarah Darling, Billy Dean, Dirt Drifters, Eli Young Band, Tyler Farr, Ashley Gearing, Andy Griggs, The Harters, Walker Hayes, Her & Kings County, Ty Herndon, JT Hodges, Steve Holy, Buddy Jewell, Jason Jones, LoCash Cowboys, Lunabelles, Miss Willie Brown, The Roys, Daryle Singletary, Stealing Angels, Josh Thompson, Tiffany, Rhonda Vincent, and Mark Wills.
Other participants include the America’s Pride Camaro; world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales; Boy Scouts of Middle Tennessee; the new 2012 Camaro convertible; the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge vehicle; the CMT Marching Band and their mobile mascot; the GAC tour bus; the Geico Gecko; Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee; over 200 Harley Davidson motorcycles from the Harley Davidson HOG Rock, Rhythm and Blues Tour; the debut of the Keep the Music Playing All Stars Marching Band; Music City Drum & Bugle Corps; the Nashville Fire Department; the Nashville Predators Dancers and mascot, Gnash; Nashville Sounds mascot Ozzie; Operation Troop Aid; the Big Machine Rascal Flatts Camaro built by West Coast Customs; Tennessee Titans mascot, T-RAC; and the United States Coast Guard.
Following the parade, The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Chevrolet Block Party will take place at its new location this year, the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage, with performers that can only be seen at the Block Party. Free and open to the public, the concert begins at 1:00 PM the lineup includes: Eli Young Band, Randy Houser, Josh Thompson, Uncle Kracker, and more.
The party begins in earnest on Thursday, June 9, when Gary Allan kicks off the Festival at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage at 10:00 AM. The Chevrolet Riverfront Stage will feature great performances by some of Country Music’s hottest acts. And the shows are free!
Fans in attendance will have an opportunity to tweet and win meet-and-greets with some of the artists performing on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage as well as VIP seating. Be sure to follow @Chevrolet on Twitter for the latest updates from the festival.
Acts that are slated to perform at this perennial hotspot include Bill Anderson, Frankie Ballard, The Bellamy Brothers, Crystal Bowersox, Jason Michael Carroll, Roy Clark, Terri Clark, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Brett Eldredge, Emerson Drive, Colt Ford, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brother, Steve Holy, Jack Ingram, Josh Kelley, Sammy Kershaw, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Jo Dee Messina, Randy Montana, Craig Morgan, David Lee Murphy, David Nail, Troy Olsen, James Otto, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, Sawyer Brown, Corey Smith, Steel Magnolia, Sunny Sweeney, Mel Tillis, Phil Vassar, James Wesley, Chuck Wicks, and Darryl Worley.
In addition to the hot acts performing on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage, fans will get an opportunity to check out some of Chevrolet’s most popular vehicles on display at Riverfront Park including the Camaro convertible, the Cruze and Cruze Eco, Equinox, Silverado 2500 HD, and Traverse.
The Chevrolet Booth, located in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall, will give fans an opportunity to use a state-of-the-art, 360 degree camera to record a time-splice video of themselves and post it to their social networking sites. In addition, you can check out the prototype of the all new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Artists meeting fans in the Chevrolet Booth include Katie Armiger, Steve Azar, Crystal Bowersox, Jason Michael Carroll, Brett Eldredge, Colt Ford, Walker Hayes, Ty Herndon, Steve Holy, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, LoCash Cowboys, Randy Montana, David Nail, Troy Olsen, Julie Roberts, Ashton Shepherd, Corey Smith, Steel Magnolia, James Wesley, Mark Wills, and Darryl Worley.
The Chevrolet Stage in the Sports Zone is the place to be to catch intimate performances from up-and-coming artists as well as cooking and hunting demonstrations. The Celebrity Outdoor Challenge will give the audience members a chance to show their skills in casting and archery contests. Scheduled to appear are Paul Bogart, the Bone Collectors, Cracker Boy, Russell Dickerson, Austin Dillon, FLW stars Jimmy Houston and Larry Nixon, Sonia Leigh, Daniel Lee Martin, Payton Rae, a hunting and fishing clinic with Bob Redfern, Julie Roberts, and Skyler.
Fans will also have an opportunity to test drive a Chevrolet vehicle. Located on Fourth Avenue between Broadway and Demonbreun Street, the Ride and Drive will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12, (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM/CT). Attendees will be able to test drive a brand new Chevrolet vehicle of their choice including the Volt electric vehicle with extended range, Camaro and Camaro convertible, Cruze, Equinox, Malibu, Silverado 1500 and HD, Tahoe, and Traverse.
Need a lift? Chevy will provide a free ride with the “Catch A Chevy” program. Ten Cruzes will be available every day during the Festival between 9:00 AM/CT and 7:00 PM/CT to make sure that fans get from venue to venue in style and comfort. Attendees can “Catch A Chevy” by simply flagging down one of these specially wrapped vehicles.
In addition to all of the excitement on the Riverfront and downtown, Chevrolet plans to make some lucky fans’ LP Field experience even better with an opportunity to win a ticket upgrade to the Nightly Concerts with the “Best Seats in the House” promotion. Throughout the Festival, fans can text CHEVY to 66937 for a chance to win.
CMA Music Festival is an unparalleled celebration of America’s music. In 2010, the event drew a record-setting 65,000 fans from all 50 states and 26 nations. CMA Music Festival is a four-time winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010).
Four day tickets, which include all of the Nightly Concerts and the Fan Fair® Exhibit Hall, are still available as well, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1-(800)-745-3000. They can also purchase them through CMAfest.com or 1-(800)-CMA-FEST (262-3378). Ticket prices are based on the level of seating at LP Field for the Nightly Concerts, and range from $115 to $325 plus handling fees.
