Ben's Country Music Show Week of the 13th January 2025 – CMA Fest Documentary Listen Again

This documentary edition of Ben’s Country Music Show explores the origins and development of CMA Fest, the world's largest country music festival. Originally launched in 1972 as Fan Fair, the event started at Nashville’s municipal auditorium with an audience of 5,000, providing fans with direct access to artists through live performances and autograph booths. The programme takes us through the move to the Nashville Fairgrounds in 1982, the introduction of fan engagement activities such as the “All-American Country Games,” and its eventual relocation to downtown venues in 2001. Ben traces the evolution of the festival’s format, its name change in 2003, increased national exposure via ABC television broadcasts, and record-breaking attendance figures. We share our personal experiences of attending the festival and reflect on how CMA Fest influences the appeal of the UK’s C2C Festival.

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