Speaking of bands. I walked on down to the Riverfront in time to catch Rhett Akins.
Here he’s singing a great song in front of a big crowd.
You can watch a short video clip of it here: 
Rhett Akins (1 min WMV)
Bands Everywhere
I did not get the name of this band so please post if you know it.
There are stages everwhere here with bands playing. This one is in the Sports Zone area and is where Michael Peterson will play after the tractor race on Sunday. This band sounded great so I shot a short video clip.
You can it here: Stage Band (2 min WMV)
Registering To Win A Video Ipod
These folks are signing up to win the video iPod that New Holland is giving away here at the CMA Music Festival.
Although it is a hot one, there’s a strong breeze. Of course that breeze blows everything around, including iPod contest entry forms.
The first morning started off slow but was picking up as the day wore on.
Enter To Win A Video iPod
New Holland has a booth in the Chevrolet Sports Zone area here at the CMA Music Festival.
People can enter to win a video iPod which will be pre-loaded with all the media content I’m creating here this week.
If you’re in the area, stop on by!
Cattleman And Country Star
Meet Todd Fritsch. I sat down and interviewed him this morning and I’m glad I did.
Here’s an outspoken advocate for agriculture and an up and coming country music star. Todd’s family is involved in cattle in Texas. He is very active being the “little brother” who gets assigned the chores no one else wants. But he’s not complaining.
I think you’ll enjoy hearing about his farming roots and how intends to maintain them regardless of where his music career takes him. You can listen to our interview here: 
Todd Fritsch Interview (5 min MP3)
Getting Ready For The First Big Concert
This is a big empty stadium today but it will be filled tonight and I’ll be there for the opening night concert featuring Hank Williams Jr, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Brooks & Dunn.
It has been a hot one again in Nashville. I hope people used their sunscreen.
CMA Block Party
After today’s parade event the crowd hung around for a mid afternoon outdoor street concert. This stage is set up right outside the Gaylord Entertainment Center right off Broadway street.
It’s the CMA Block Party and it was packed. According to the CMA release the performers were, “Emerson Drive, The Grascals, Little Big Town, LoCash Cowboys, Pinmonkey, Poverty Neck Hillbillies.” I caught the very end of one on my way back here to the hotel to bring you these fine posts. I will be attending many of the daily concerts and you can look forward to more pics, audio and video.
I think this is what downtown Nashville is going to look like for the next several days.
Watching The Parade
The parade got underway and the New Holland/FFA/Michael Peterson/Chevy float was one of the main attractions.
I followed along and shot a couple video clips for you.
You can watch one here that shows almost all of the participants in the parade: CMA Chevrolet Parade (5 min WMV)
Here’s a shorter clip with just the FFA float: CMA Chevrolet Parade (30 sec WMV)
Other Parade Participants
Tractors weren’t the only vehicles in today’s parade.
There were bass boats too. I’m not sure who was on board this one. I know her shirt says “Coyote Ugly.”
If you know, then post the answer in a comment.
Posing On The Tractor
Just prior to the start of today’s parade Michael Peterson posed for a number of pictures. I’ve got them all and will make them part of my end of the event photo album.
Here he’s on the New Holland tractor with an FFA member who’s name I didn’t get. If you know it, please use the comment feature to let us know who he is. Also pictured on the left is Jimmy Wayne.