Wednesday, May 6, 2015

10 MUST SEE ARTISTS AT #CMAFEST2015

Country fans are getting ready to take over Music City for 4 days next month and most are excited about seeing the big names at LP Field but we're excited for you to experience the newer artists, those you may not be familiar with and see what they have to offer. You may find that you have a new favorite! Here are our choices for 10 of the best new artists you must see at CMA Fest this year (in no particular order.) They've each made a name for themselves this year and are names you'll be hearing long after you get home from CMA Fest.



She's got a contagious smile and an infectious attitude, but this country beauty has the voice and stage presence to make her the total package. With her current debut single, "Love Me Like You Mean It" sitting at #13 on the charts, Kelsea Ballerini is making her way to the top in record time.

Friday, June 12 
12:45pm - 1:10pm 
Bud Light Stage



You may know Craig as last season's "Comeback Kid" who went on to win NBC's hit series, "The Voice" last season, but Craig's not a new voice on the country block. Having pounded the streets of Nashville for years, he's finally made his way to the attention of Americans everywhere. His debut single, "My Baby's Got a Smile on Her Face" hit #1 right out of the gate, tying Garth Brooks as the only artist to debut at #1 and now his second single, "I"m Still Here" is quickly gaining momentum.

Sunday, June 14
 3:00pm
Chevy Riverfront Stage



This country girl isn't content to sit on the sidelines and watch other females get the attention, she's come out swinging with her singles "Sorry on the Rocks", "Famous" and her latest "I Only Smoke when I Drink". Kelleigh Bannen's made her presence known and has made her mark on country music.

Saturday, June 13 
12:05pm - 12:30pm
 Bud Light Stage




Another artist we could go on for days about, Mo Pitney. Mo is the right artist at the right time in country music. Talk about well timed. Right when fans are getting tired of the same old same old, along comes this soft spoken guy with anything but a soft voice. Mo's single "Country", co-written with "Whispering" Bill Anderson has country fans shouting for "Mo Country", not "Bro Country". When a voice can bring an entire room to dead silence and put tears in the eyes of the listener, you know you've heard brilliance. He is the "ePITome" of traditional country from his baseball cap to his cowboy boots. This boy's blood runs thick with tradition and twang.

Tuesday, June 9 
 7:00pm 
"The Countriest of the Country"
George Jones Museum 
 This is a ticketed event. Tickets available here.

Thursday, June 11 
3:25pm - 3:50pm
Bud Light Stage



Ray Scott is an original to say the least. His voice is deep and sexy, his attitude is brash and in your face and his music is the perfect combination of all of those ingredients. Ray is the guy your mama warned you about, but the artist that's proving that theory wrong because no one's mama could have ever had an imagination this good. 

Tuesday, June 9
Storme Warren's Nashville Navy Party at Limelight
This is a ticketed event
Tickets available here

Thursday, June 11
FanJam - 707 18th Ave South in Nashville
This is a ticketed event
Tickets available here

 4:00pm - 4:30pm 
Gildan Broadway Hard Rock Stage

Friday, June 12
4:00pm
Ray Scott Fan Club Party at the Wildhorse Saloon
This is a ticketed event
Tickets available here

Sunday June 14 
1:30pm - 2:00pm 
AT&T U-verse Showcase Stage 




A Thousand Horses hit the scene running with the power of ... well ... a thousand horses. Their current single, "Smoke" is smoldering on the charts in the Top 10 and it's looking like they may just have their first #1 single very soon. Crowds gather quickly to hear these guys in action so you'll want to stake out your spot pretty early!

Thursday, June 11
1:25pm to 1:50pm
Bud Light Stage



How would we describe Brian Davis? Unapologetic, rowdy, drunk on country and ready to put a boot in any crowd's ass. Fresh off the Hell on Wheels tour with country bad boy, Brantley Gilbert, Brian's kicked into full party mode and it doesn't take an invite to his party because everyone is welcome to grab a cold one and pull up a tailgate. Brian has co-written many songs with area artists including Brantley's current hit, "One Hell of an Amen" and that's exactly what fans are saying at the end of a Brian Davis show - amen!

Friday, June 12 
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Gildan Broadway Hard Rock Stage 



Rick Monroe, the face of the Jagermeister Country Tour for the past few years, has been pushing the Nashville envelope for years just trying to get someone to finally open it and see what a winner he is. This year, that envelope's been opened with his latest CD, "It's a Love Thing" making waves with industry players and his single "Fire's Out" breaking onto the Billboard charts and was even featured on Fox News this morning! 

Saturday, June 13 
4:00pm to 4:30pm
Belk Park Stage



After years of being an independent artist, releasing his own music and trying to prove himself, his hard work and belief in himself paid off in spades with his indie single, "Buy Me a Boat" hitting #1 on the iTunes country charts and peaking at #7 on the all genres chart, edging out Taylor Swift with the video being financed and produced by CMT and finally signing a record deal with Warner Music Nashville. Chris is a phenomenal songwriter and an energetic, interactive artist who knows how to keep 'em coming to the shows and buying the music. 

Saturday, June 13
2:05pm - 2:30pm
Bud Light Stage



Where did this spitfire come from? Cam came out of nowhere and blasted country listeners with her fun, flirty debut single "My Mistake" and now she's everywhere you look. With a bright personality, a unique and one of country music's strongest female voices, we'll be seeing and hearing much more from Cam.

Friday, June 12
2:05pm - 2:30pm
Bud Light Stage




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