Day 1 Wednesday


We pulled into town around 11:30 AM and checked into our hotel room, the Sheraton Downtown. I then contacted Ashlee Dawson to arrange a time when we could get together to pick up our Street Team information since both Kathy and I were on Mallary Hope's Team. We wandered down to Bridgestone Arena to meet but didn't realize that there were shows all afternoon. At 1, David Nail opened up the CMA Fest with a 1/2 hour set. We met Ashlee Dawson and Jen Graham and picked up our information and shirts, then went back to the hotel.

At 5, we headed to Graham Central Station for the Bomshel Fan Club Party which was on the roof, over looking the Riverwalk Park. To get there, we had to climb many many sets of stairs. There was a small stage and Kathy and I got some bar stools and set up about 10 feet from the stage. Shortly after we settled in, Tia Lincoln arrived, that was a great surprise since neither of us had shared plans, I pulled up a stool next to us, then Vicky and Amy in Atl showed up also, this was the first time we had met. Kristy and Kelly (Bomshel) was running late, but when they arrived, the went around and introduced themselves to every one there, they were outgoing and genuine and talked to and hugged every person there. While they went around, we helped ourselves to food and drink. They then played an acoustic show and played ever song on their current CD and some new ones, they were great story tellers and picked on each other the whole time. After they show, we went for pictures and autographs, Kathy, Tia and I were first in line, since we were so close to they stage. They again thanked us for coming and we got some more hugs. Then Kristy asked if I was Tia's dad, I said no, just good friends and Kristy gave me another hug, not sure why, but I liked it. I have to echo what Tia has said on Twitter, Love these Girls.

Day 2 Thursday


Kathy and I went to Bridgestone around 10:30, we were working for Mallary from 11 to 12, but since there were many people picking up their packages, we started working about 10:30 and by 11, had distributed much of our material. At 11, Bomshel hit the Chevy Stage in front of the biggest crowd I had ever seen there. They would not be disappointed. The 1/2 hour show had as much energy as any show I had ever seen, complete with Kristy scaling the scaffolding 3 stories and playing Charlie Daniels licks on her fiddle suspended from the scaffold. If you don't have an idea what I am talking about, go watch their video 19 and Crazy. These girls are great musically and vocally. They were then interviewed in the SIRIUS/XM booth by Storme Warren, and Kristy just broke down from all the energy she put out. Kelly completed the interview while Kristy regained her composure. Bomshel was one of the 2 best performances at the CMA Fest, in my opinion. A+



We decided to spend the rest of the afternoon in convention hall meeting some of the celebs. It was great, but we didn't know we were missing Sarah Buxton and Jed Hughes at the Hard Rock at . That kind of stunk because we certainly had nothing in particular scheduled. In the Convention Center we went to meet Mallary Hope, we still had our Street Team shirts on and she really appreciated our putting some time in for her. She was as sweet and nice as you can be, we were at the Roper Booth and Amy, who runs the booth remembered us from last year and just kept snapping pictures, so Kathy and I have a lot of memories from those photos. Tim McGraw was signing right across from Roper and Kathy went and got his autograph. During the afternoon we also met Katie Armiger, Veronica Ballestrini, Ash Bowers, Mark Wills, Mindy McCready, Blake Shelton, Gretchen Wilson, Kix Brooks, The Judds, Joe Nichols. Ashton Sheppard, Jimmy Van Zandt and Melissa Peterman. I am sure I am missing others.


For the LP Field Events, for the most part I will just give my opinion on how I liked them, but some will have commentary. Danny Gokey D, Alan Jackson B+, Tim McGGraw A. Jason Aldean B+, Lady A A, after Lady A, we joined the flood of people leaving LP Field so we did not see C Underwood.


No flyover today, and just a small commentary here, for the rest of the nights there was only 1 jet in the fly over vs. 4 that have been the norm.


Day 3 Friday


We headed out to Blackbird Studio at about 10:15, it was really a short drive from the hotel, we parked and started to line up outside, there was already about 10 people there. Shortly after we arrived, Dayna showed up and we chatted a bit. Then I started to see more familiar faces, Tia, Heidi, Shelly, Becky, Vicky, Amy and Ashley. Tracy came down with all the instructions of how the day would go and we were divided into groups. You could either pick your own group or be part of a random group. Kathy was group 7, hooking up with the people around her. I went random and was group 17. They were a great group of people, we never exchanged names, so if you read this and were part of group 17, let me know. We actually sounded pretty good. We came in and got a table on the porch balcony, we sat with Ashley who we had gotten to meet in Reading and is now a good friend to both Kathy and myself. She landed in group 20, which is a bit deceiving, since John M will not let anyone be group 13, so we went from 12 to 14. Tracy had drinks and very good boxed lunches and we ate and mingled while people went downstairs with their teams to meet Martina and to sing one of the 3 songs that they would pick. This Ones for the Girls, Wrong Baby Wrong and Independence Day. Tracy was a wonderful host and gave out door prizes to the people on the porch. When our groups were called groups 14 15 16 and 17 went downstairs. I met Martina, had her sign a couple of the menus I put together for American Cancer Society diners and Kathy and I do and had my picture taken, It turned out very good. Heidi then did a wonderful thing and had Martina cut her hair which she was donating to Locks of Love. This was a very memorable experience. Our group went in and sang Independence Day, a hard song, but Sue, our lead singer had a great voice and we all sounded very good. After that, we went in to see John and his equipment.



We then headed to Centennial Park for Mallary Hope's Fan Club Party, again another nice spread of food and drinks. Mallary arrived with a guitar player and she just took requests and sang, making sure that we all sang portions of the song or background vocals. She made all of us really feel at easy, including going into the groups, grabbing someone and dancing with them while she sang. She talked about how her career started, she actually started singing at 5, her family moved with her to Nashville from Georgia after she graduated and are her support group. Her mom was there and was also very friendly and outgoing. She sand her current single Blossom in the Dust, saying she wrote that song about a friend in school, the told us the background of Love Lives On. Her sister and Brother in law are in the service and decided to have a child. In the video, he dies (which she says she has apologized to him for) and shows a little girl, they actually had a son. If you have not seen the video, go to CMT and watch it. It will bring tears to your eyes. After another round of pictures with Mallary, we rushed back into town.


At the Bridgestone Emily West was playing, another big crowd and Emily was wonderful, she sported a new shoulder length hair cut and sounded beautiful. Her mom and dad were both in the audience and when she concluded her set with Blue Sky, there was not a dry eye in the house. Another A performance.


LP Field Julianne Hough C+, but she sure is cute and can really dance, Josh Turner B+, Miranda A, Keith Urban B, that said his performance becomes an A with the tribute to Nashville singing A Little Help from Your Friend, with Sarah Buxton, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman singing background. This was a wonderful tribute, and they got to do it 2 times to make sure it was right for TV. Reba was a B, due to technical problems and short set. We did not stay for Kid Rock

Day 4 Saturday



We got up in the morning and the plan for that day was the CDJ Fan Club Party. We were a bit bummed on that because Mallary was playing on the Chevy Stage at 1:15. But from all the feedback we heard from people. she had an A rated performance. Not surprising at all. We left for a place called the Post Depression Theater and were really surprised with what we found. It was a single story, one room building not much bigger than double my living room in size. We met Dayna and Becky there and it turns out there were about 35 people that made the sold out party. We sat in mismatched chairs and couches. To say it was intimate would be an understatement. I can't say Carolyn came out, because there was no place to come out from. The show was hosted by Shelly Fairchild one of the foremost singer/songwriters in Nashville. On stage with CDJ were some of the co-writers on her CD. Natalie Hemby (White Liar and Miranda's next single Only Prettier) CDJ commented is she really releasing that as a single, Mat replied yes, then CDJ said "That's Why we love her". Brad Crisler, Megan James, and Kate York were the other singer/song writers. They took turns doing their own music and then with CDJ, they songs they wrote for her CD. She finished the show with Georgia, the took questions from the audience, read by Shelly. She was especially complementary on Martina when asked about her family and career. "Nobody does it better than Martina": We then got to chat with her at length and also for pictures. She gave us each a goody bag with a hand written thank you card and lots of other goodies.



LP Field Randy Houser C, Easten Corbin B, Billy Currington A (really good show), Zac Brown C- (was especially disappointed with Zac Brown, love the band, but they did about a 10 minute instrumental and left of some of their hit song, i.e. Chicken Fry and Highway 20 Ride), then Martina, we have seen her over 30 times but her connection to the audience that night was unbelievable, no one sat, every song delivered, after Broken Wing the stadium errupted,last year was a home run, this was a tape measure shot, she finished with Independence Day and the crowd went wild, they were clapping long after her bands left. That is when Storme Warren came out and said he had attended the last 18 CMA Fest/Fan Fare and had never heard anything like that. Obviously an A+. We like Rascal Flatts some, but nothing could compare to that show, so we left. When we were on the bus Ashley texted Kathy and said how can Martina ever not win Female Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year. Would guess anyone that was there would ask the same question.

Day 5 Sunday



Really hated to see it end, but one last great day. We went to Martina's Auction with Ashley and her friend Sunshine. For those of you who have never attended, this is as fun as it gets. All of our Martina friends were there, Dayna, Becky, Tia, Shelly, Sandy, Vicky, Amy and others who I apologize for missing. I was a frequent but unsuccessful bidder. Ashely won a gorgeous Sarah Darling dress that she wore in her video. Ashley will be wearing it at the coronation after her pageant. Dayna won a beautiful top you would recognize from the Shine tour. Martina arrived to a big applause and said she still could not believe what happened the previous night. She was gracious as always, but when she gets there, the bidding really starts, and when John is in the front row things go wild, he is not afraid to bid high and often, in fact, he did get a winning bid of $11k on an item. Big Kenny who was an auctioneer showed up and he was really good. He was there for some of the highest bidding. After the auction we all went to the Whitehorse for some food and drinks. Then it was off to the Limelight. Rachel Williams another high profile singer/songwritter was there along with Jason Michael Carroll. Rachel did a great 1/2 hour set which we gave a B+ to, the acoustics kept if from an A which was the same for Jason Michael Carroll who was having his fan Club Party there, all said, the Limelight show was very good.



LP Field Justin Moore C, Kellie Pickler C, Blake Shelton A, Trace Adkins came out for Hillbilly Bone, but the highlight was Miranda joining him for Home, the crowd went wild.Darrius Rucker followed C, he ended with Purple Rain, not sure I heard it but some people liked it Brad Paisley closed in his format A.

So that is it, sorry for the long winded note. 3 great and totally different Fan Club Parties Bomshel, Martina and Mallary. Many great shows,but Bomshel and Martina will be remembered for years for come.