Nashville, Tennessee, is considered a musical haven for music lovers. Each June, more than twenty thousand country music lovers journey to Nashville ‘Fan Fair,’ a unique festival that allows fans to interact with their favorite artists. More than two hundred performers from top stars to upcoming warblers, participate in this grand occasion. This four-day event tends to attract over six hundred media representatives from around the world with its net proceeds divided between specific charities as designated by the artists and a special fund used by the ‘Country Music Association’ to advance the growth and popularity of this music form.
It all began around 1971, during the over-congested annual ‘Country Music. DJ Convention’ held in Nashville. A large number of artists attended this gemote, with many fans coming together, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars. Looking at this success, the ‘Grand Ole Opry’ suggested that if a festival were to be organized primarily for devotees at a different time of the year, it would undoubtedly be well attended and productive. Thus, Fan Fair was born. The first music gala with an attendance of five thousand fans was held for three days from April 12-15, 1972, at Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Some of country music’s most revered artists like Roy Acuff, Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, Freddie Hart, Nat Stuckey, Billy-“Crash” Craddock, Ernest Tubb, Del Wood, Wilma Lee, Stoney Copper, and Pee Wee King offered more than twenty hours of live entertainment. In more than a hundred exhibit booths, ‘country zealots’ could indulge in everything from picture taking to autograph sessions with their favorite vocalists. The ‘Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang’ of Odessa, Texas, served up their ‘Texas Menu’ barbecue, beans, slaw, onions, pickles, bread, and beverages. This event was a tremendous triumph with fans and artists inquiring about the dates for the next year immediately. ‘Fan Fair’ 1973 was moved to June, a peak travel month, to take advantage of tourists and better weather. Enthusiasts in attendance witnessed country music history as Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton performed as a duo for what would be the last time in more than a decade. The main highlight of these festivities was from an unexpected visit by former Beatle and country music devotee Paul McCartney. With the exploding popularity of the country, the festival continued to grow each year. In 1982, to accommodate the growing audience, the event was moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
Fan Fair celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 1991 with an expanded show schedule. Over sixty-five artists appeared in more than thirty-four hours of live stage shows for audiences. Additionally, over two h hundred entertainers set up booths for autograph sessions. Kathy Mattea, a famous artist, despite strict advice for voice rest, still appeared to communicate with her fans via a personal computer. A quick comparison of artists who appeared at the first music fete and who made return appearances at the 91 event gave evidence of the enduring nature of country music and its entertainers. Some of the most popular performers, including Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Kathy Mattea, Wynonna, and a high-energy newcomer by the name of Billy Ray Cyrus, appeared at the 21st International Country Music Fain Fair in 1992. Media representatives from Switzerland and Spain to Japan and Brazil provided international coverage. From 1993 a new dimension was introduced with ‘Hollywood’ being showcased into the artist booths. Doug Stone and ‘Music City Tonight’ star Lorainne Crook arrived at their stall dressed as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’ Hara, while Lorrie Morgan took an extraterrestrial approach with a crashed UFO and aliens. The year 1996 marked the 25th anniversary with ‘Good Morning America’ nationally airing a hive coverage of the event. By 1999 the fair was making a significant economic impact with profits grossing over ten million as estimated by the National Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Truly a unique event with performers from three generations entertaining an audience over twenty thousand today, Fan Fair is living proof of the special bond between country music lovers and artists. Over the years, this event has evolved from a humble convention to a ‘music risotto,’ placing Nashville on the International scene as a melodious destination. With ever-increasing concepts, dimensions, and variety introduced into the event, I wonder what the Fan Fair 2020 has in store for us!
Citation
Nashville CMA History. Retrieved from https://www.hitradio.co.uk/otr/nashvillecmahistory.html
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