CMA Music Festival TV Special – The Singers You Missed

I was lucky to attend the CMA Music Festival in June 2013. The big event was turned into a television special for ABC, featuring the A-list superstars of Country Music.

Although the show was excellent and focused on the 'hot new' stars of today, I was disappointed that the special collaboration with Kenny Rogers and Zac Brown Band was cut from the TV show. The crowd went wild and sang along when Kenny Rogers was brought out to join Zac Brown on 'The Gambler.' Considering Rogers is also a 2013 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, I thought the vocal event would certainly make the television special.

Other highlights and artists that didn't make the cut include Charlie Daniels guesting with Brad Paisley, Trisha Yearwood singing 'Ain't Goin' Down 'Til The Sun Comes Up' with Kelly Clarkson, and the opening sets at the nightly concerts from Randy Travis, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Lee Greenwood. There are dozens of acts playing all day long, so I realize not every artist will make the special, but it would have been great to see a few of these legends that played the main stage, even if they were quickly mentioned in short clips. Maybe in place of a non-country act?

I wanted to point this out to also remind you that the CMA Music Festival is an amazing event with all styles of Country Music offered all day and night long, not just what you saw on the ABC special. I'm sure it was difficult to squeeze 4 days of non-stop music into a 3 hour special, so If you get the chance, go experience the entire festival in person. This really is the biggest and best event in Country Music all year for the fans!