NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Day one has officially begun of the 2015 CMA Music Festival. Tens of thousands of fans have descended upon Nashville for another year of the event.
Activities got started at 10 a.m. and the fans were ready to go. More than six hours later, they were still going strong, despite the heat.
Many fans spent Thursday trying to keep cool, but were definitely ready to have a good time in Music City.
The crowds downtown this year seemed bigger than in years’ past, as the festival footprint was packed with Country Music fans.
From 5th Avenue to the river, there was plenty to see and do. High on the list of most festival goers was seeing their favorite country stars.
Several thousand people turned out to see Keith Urban at Fan Fair X. Music students from Metro Schools even sang one of his hits to him.
Urban is the first ambassador for the CMA Foundation. The foundation donates money to local schools and has given $11 million since 2006.
Urban said paying it forwards is important to him.
“It's a very natural part of what I want to do in my life is to be able to be involved in giving back, and paying forward, and passing it on. It’s all about passing it on,” he said. “Everything that we learn, and acquire, should be passed on.”
The free shows along the river wrapped up around 5 p.m. Fans had an hour or so to rest up, cool off, maybe get some dinner before the headline entertainment starts at LP Field.
Thursday night features an all-guys line up with Alan Jackson, Sam Hunt, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean.
