Here’s the lineup of what the celebs will be driving on Sunday for the first ever CMA Music Festival Michael Peterson/New Holland Boomer Tractor Celebrity Race. Boy that’s a mouthful.
The “tractor race” will be on Sunday afternoon. The stars will drive one of these in a time test, including a tally of how many cones they hit or knock over.
Everyone I’ve spoken with thinks this is a great idea. We’ll know more on Sunday!
I told you I would stop in at the XM Satellite Radio studio.
It’s in the gift shop of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. You’ll hear why that’s a good spot in the interview I did with production director, Ben Krech (center) and chiming in was senior production director for country music, Ray Knight (right).
Ben thinks satellite radio only makes sense for people who have to drive a truck or a tractor long distance or for long hours. He says that agribusinesses have marketing opportunities with satellite radio if they want to pursue them.
You can listen to our interview here: 
XM Satellite Radio Interview (6 min MP3)
One of the biggest celebrities I saw today getting his picture taken was the Eat Mor Chikin cow.
Here’s a very nice pose. You just never know who or what you’re going to run into here at the CMA Music Festival.
The line and the crowd was long today at the Michael Peterson booth. Michael was signing autographs and selling CD’s in front of the big New Holland CD cover banner.
I got an update interview with Michael before he had to take off for a New Holland event. He says that since he got a New Holland tractor his kids now want to mow the grass!
You can listen to our interview here: Michael Peterson Interview (3 min MP3)
I’m ready for some football and Bocephus was ready to party with all his rowdy friends last night.
This picture is right before Mr. Yellow Shirt gave me the, “You’re not allowed in here” spiel and it was time to mosey on out.
Right after Hank Williams, Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd played. I was more than a little disappointed not to be in the pit to take shots of them but that’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.
It was a great concert evening and I can’t imagine how they’ll get any better but there’s one every night through Sunday. Today I’m back to the event and will have more pics and interviews for you later.
Just to add a little “wow” factor to their set, Brooks & Dunn played a song with Keith Urban.
Keith came out and the screams started again. Maybe I need to stop shaving for a few days too.
What do you think?
These guys performed a great set.
I wonder how many shows these guys have done. I remember seeing Brooks & Dunn a number of years ago at the Missouri State Fair.
They had a special guest perform with them. He’ll be in the next post.
Getting lots of screams from the girls in the crowd last night was Dierks Bentley.
He pretty much covered the stage from side to side and even leaned way down to touch a fan since there was plenty of room between them and the stage.
I had to look him up online to make sure I spelled that first name correctly.
One of the first performers of the evening was Sara Evans.
All of the performances last night were excellent. As an interesting addition to Sara’s performance, she went out into the crowd and watched over a young man propose to his girlfriend. She said yes. I wonder who they were and how they arranged that? Pretty cool way to do it if you ask me.
The opening night concert at the Coliseum got things rocking in a country way. It was an interesting evening and I’ll have to share a few photos with you.
As a credentialed media representative I was escorted in to a press level which has booths from which you can take pictures and enjoy the event. I had asked for but didn’t receive what they call a “Pit” pass so I could take pictures from right in front of the stage. One of the red-shirted (staff are all color coded) media representatives however, personally escorted me into the pit. I was able to be there through several of the bands until she disappeared and a yellow shirt noticed that I didn’t have a Pit pass. Then I was escorted out and that was that. Whatever. But I did get some good pictures in the time I was there for you. Coming up.
