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CMA Fest 2022 Announces Nissan Stadium Performers by Date!

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CMA Fest announces Nissan Stadium Performers!

NASHVILLE— The Country Music Association has released its much-anticipated initial lineup for this year’s CMA Fest, returning to downtown Nashville Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12 following a two-year postponement due to the pandemic. Hundreds of Country Music artists are slated to perform on multiple stages across downtown Nashville. Fans can access a limited number of four-day passes, plus newly announced single night tickets, for the Nissan Stadium nightly concerts at CMAfest.com or through the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST. CMA Fest is uniquely programmed with artists donating their time so a portion of ticket proceeds can be invested in high-quality music education programs throughout the U.S. via the CMA Foundation.

“We’ve been waiting two years to host Country Music fans from coast to coast and every corner of the world,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Now we’re two months out and the excitement is palpable! We can hardly wait to bring the Country community back together in June.”

Taking the nightly Nissan Stadium stage this year are Country Music superstars Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Russell Dickerson, Alan Jackson, Lady A, Parker McCollum, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Zac Brown Band and more.

Thursday, June 9th, 2022
Darius Rucker
Jason Aldean
Keith Urban
Zac Brown Band


Friday, June 10th, 2022
Carly Pearce
Cole Swindell
Gabby Barrett
Kane Brown
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Thomas Rhett


Saturday, June 11th, 2022
Alan Jackson
Carrie Underwood
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs


Sunday, June 12th, 2022
Dierks Bentley
Lady A
Russell Dickerson

Festivals

CMA Fest: Maui Jim Reverb Stage Performers Schedule. Date & Times!

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CMA Fest is quickly approaching and more stages are being announced.  The Maui Jim Reverb Stage  at Bridgestone Arena Plaza features a can’t-miss lineup of performances each day from 10:45 AM-4:30 PM. Check out the list of performances below:

Thursday, June 9th, 2022

10:45am -11:10am Tigirlily
11:25am-11:50am Tristan Marez
12:05pm-12:30pm Jordan Fletcher
12:45pm-1:10pm Jake Hoot
1:25pm-1:50pm Alex Hall
2:05pm-2:30pm Robyn Ottolini
2:45pm-3:10pm John Morgan
3:25pm-3:50pm Teddy Robb
4:05pm -4:30pm Ray Fulcher

Friday, June 10th 2022

10:45am-11:10am RVSHVD
11:25am-11:50am Roman Alexander
12:05pm-12:30pm Temecula Road
12:45pm-1:10pm Tebey
1:25pm-1:50pm Dylan Marlowe
2:05pm-2:30pm Lauren Weintraub
2:45pm-3:10pm Tyler Braden
3:25pm-3:50pm Avery Anna
4:05pm – 4:30pm Trea Landon

Saturday, June 11th, 2022

10:45am-11:10am Abby Anderson
11:25am-11:50am Ian Flanigan
12:45pm-1:10pm Walker Montgomery
1:25pm-1:50pm Erin Kinsey
2:05pm – 2:30pm Sean Stemaly
2:45pm-3:10pm Jordan Rowe
3:25pm-3:50pm After Midtown
4:05pm-4:30pm Catie Offerman

Sunday, June 12th, 2022

10:45am-11:10am Noah Hicks
11:25am-11:50am Kat & Alex
12:05pm- 12:30pm BEXAR
12:45pm-1:10pm Caroline Jones
1:25pm-1:50pm Jackson Dean
2:05pm-2:30pm Madeline Edwards
2:45pm-3:10pm Allie Colleen
3:25pm-3:50pm Andrew Jannakos
4:05pm-4:30pm Aaron Goodvin

Festivals

CMA Fest: Chevy Riverfront Stage Artists Performance Dates and Times!

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CMA Fest Announces Riverfront Stage Performers! 
CMA Fest is less than two months away and the Chevy Riverfront Stage Performers has been announced! There are a lot of familiar faces on the Performers list as well as newcomers!


Thursday, June 9th, 2022
10:00am-11:00am Jimmie Allen
11:15am-11:45am Lindsay Ell
12:00pm-12:30pm Hardy
12:45pm-1:15pm Lainey Wilson
1:30pm-2:00pm LOCASH
2:15pm-2:45pm Jameson Rodgers
3:00pm-3:30pm Elvie Shane
3:45pm-4:15pm Travis Denning
4:45pm-5:15pm Tenille Arts


Friday, June 10th, 2022 

10:00am-10:30am Tyler Rich
10:45am-11:15am Maddie & Tae
11:30am-12:00pm Larry Fleet
12:15pm-12:45pm Niko Moon
1:00pm-1:30pm Chris Lane
1:45pm-2:15pm Mitchell Tenpenny
2:30pm-3:00pm Danielle Bradbery
3:15pm-3:45pm Morgan Evans
4:00pm-4:30pm Ingrid Andress
4:45pm-5:15pm ERNEST


Saturday, June 11th, 2022 
10:00am-10:30am Tyler Farr
10:45am-11:15am Drake White
11:30am-12:00pm Breland
12:15pm-12:45pm Lauren Alaina
1:00pm-1:30pm Dylan Scott
1:45pm-2:15pm Ryan Hurd
2:30pm-3:00pm Matt Stell
3:15pm- 3:45pm Jessie James Decker
4:00pm-4:30pm Home Free
4:45pm-5:15pm Priscilla Block


Sunday, June 12th, 2022


10:00am-10:30am Callista Clark
10:45am – 11:15am Michael Ray
11:30am-12:00pm Jon Langston
12:15pm-12:45pm Kameron Marlowe
1:00pm-1:30pm Blanco Brown
1:45pm-2:15pm Parmalee
2:30pm-3:00pm LANCO
3:15pm-3:45pm Easton Corbin
4:00pm-4:30pm Tenille Townes
4:45pm-5:15pm Scotty McCreery

Riverside Retreat is an exclusive destination along the Cumberland River offering guaranteed admission to the Chevy Riverfront Stage, where audiences attending the free daytime concerts often reach capacity. A number of additional perks will be available including shaded areas, misting stations, charging for mobile devices, discounts on select beverages, air-conditioned restrooms, yard games and more. Participating fans will have unlimited in and out access 9:00 AM – 5:15 PM each day during CMA Fest. The on-sale for exclusive Riverside Retreat access begins tomorrow, Wednesday, April 13, at CMAfest.com. Both four-day ($307) and single-day ($98) tickets will be available. Fees and taxes included.

Festivals, Music

STAGECOACH Lineup and Details for 2022!

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THOMAS RHETT, CARRIE UNDERWOOD AND LUKE COMBS

HEADLINE THE 14TH ANNUAL

STAGECOACH: CALIFORNIA’S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

FRIDAY, April 29 through SUNDAY, May 1 

at Empire Polo Club, Indio, CA

FESTIVAL PASSES ON-SALE NOW!

YouTube to host first time, exclusive live stream on the platform

extending their partnership with Goldenvoice

Featuring the Compton Cowboys and return of Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse, SiriusXM Spotlight Stage

and much more!

“I have been looking forward to this for so long! I dreamed about headlining Stagecoach ever since I first played there in 2014. I cannot wait to get back out in the desert in 2022 and play for those fans.” – Thomas Rhett

“There’s nothing like a Stagecoach audience and now more than ever, I can’t wait to take that stage and be with the fans again.” – Carrie Underwood

“Stagecoach, it’s a dream come true to headline the festival in 2022. It will be here before we know it, and I’m already looking forward to seeing y’all there!“ – Luke Combs

LOS ANGELES, CA – July 12, 2021 – The wait is finally over, Stagecoach is back in the saddle this April 29 – May 1, 2022. We couldn’t be more excited to bring your favorites Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood and Luke Combs to our party in the desert. Passes go on sale starting this Friday, July 16 at 10 am PT at stagecoachfestival.com.

The 3-day event will also feature performances by Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, The Black Crowes, Midland, Lee Brice, Cody Johnson, Jordan Davis, Cody Jinks and more. 

New to the festival are California’s homegrown, Compton Cowboys. They are a crew of ten Black horseback riders whose small ranch is one of the very last in a semirural town in Compton called Richland Farms — and they are bringing their horses to Stagecoach to tell their story and share in the experience. 

“We love country, we love the music, we love the culture and we’re stoked to be around folks that get it,” says Randy Savvy, Managing Member of the Compton Cowboys. “I’ve been listening to country music for a long time and we’re looking forward to bringing Compton Cowboys and our horse gang to the festival.”

This year YouTube and Goldenvoice are announcing a newly formed partnership which includes an exclusive, first time live stream of the famed Stagecoach festival on the platform. The three-day festival will stream live on Stagecoach’s Official YouTube Channel from April 29 through May 1.

“We are so excited to be adding Stagecoach, Country music’s biggest festival weekend, into our live stream lineup for the first time ever,” says YouTube’s Head of Live Music and West Coast Artist Relations Ali Rivera. “2022 marks our 10th year partnering with Goldenvoice to stream some of their most coveted music festivals like Stagecoach and Coachella. We are both honored and proud to be bringing three consecutive weekends of extraordinary live music to fans around the world next year.”

Fan-favorite Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse is back again for its third year to reveal new chefs, pit bosses and BBQ vendors. Guy and friends will be showcasing their pits and rigs and offering taste tests to fans throughout the weekend with live demos. Stay tuned for the full food lineup.

“I’m stoked to be firing up my Stagecoach Smokehouse again this year where we’ll be cookin’ up some bad ass bar-b-que,” says Guy Fieri. “So, ride on down to Flavortown and hang out with me, my buddies and some real deal pit masters from around the country.”

Returning to the festival this year is the SiriusXM Spotlight Stage, which will once again highlight today’s rising stars like Breland, Caylee Hammack, Hailey Whitters and others. In addition to the Spotlight Stage, SiriusXM is proud to announce the return of Stagecouch Weekend, featuring headliners Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett, as well as new performances from Dierks Bentley, Old Dominion, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, and more. Stagecouch Weekend begins July 16 at Noon ET through July 18 on SiriusXM’s The Highway (ch. 56). For more information please visit HERE.

The Honkytonk Dance Hall also makes a comeback in addition to High Class Hillbilly owner and singer Nikki Lane’s Stage Stop Marketplace. Additionally, the Country Music Association will once again partner with Stagecoach to host a very special CMA Songwriters Series performance. Additional details including lineup will be shared in early 2022.

Pass Prices:

3-Day General Admission $379

3-Day General Admission/Shuttle Combo $439

3-Day Corral Standing Pit $1,299

3-Day Corral C1 Reserved Seating $1,299

3-Day Corral C2 Reserved Seating $829

Preferred Parking $99

Any Line Shuttle Pass $70

Companion Camping Parking $55

**plus fees

Take advantage of the payment plan to divide your order into the lowest monthly payments. Shuttle passes, tent, yurt, and BYO RV reservations on the Safari Campground as well as Travel Packages that bundle festival passes with local hotel accommodations for 2 or 4 people are available via Valley Music Travel.

We will continue to monitor the world around us and communicate more as we gain guidance from health officials and as we near our event dates.

Stagecoach:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

The STAGECOACH 2022 lineup is as follows:

Amythyst Kiah

Brandi Carlile

Breland

Brothers Osborne

Callista Clark

Carrie Underwood

Caylee Hammack

Charley Crockett

Cody Jinks

Cody Johnson

Colter Wall

Flatland Cavalry

Hailey Whitters

Hayes Carll

Ian Noe

Ingrid Andress

Jesse LaBelle

Jimmie Allen

Jordan Davis

Laci Kaye Booth

Lainey Wilson

Lee Brice

Lindsay Ell

LOCASH

Luke Combs

Marcus King Band

Maren Morris

Margo Price

Midland

Mitchell Tenpenny

Molly Tuttle

Neal McCoy

Orville Peck

Reyna Roberts

Rhiannon Giddens

Ryan Griffin

Ryan Hurd

Shenandoah

Shy Carter

Smokey Robinson

Tanya Tucker

The Black Crowes

The Cactus Blossoms

The Mavericks

Thomas Rhett

Travis Denning

Turbo

Walker County

Waylon Payne

Yola

Interviews, Music

Interview: Smithfield’s Fan Funded Ep ‘New Town’ is a Work of Heart!

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Several years ago, I had the opportunity to interview country duo Smithfield. It was a lovely summer day in Los Angeles and I listened as Jennifer Fielder and Trey Smith told me their story. The pair have been family friends for such a long time and started their duo a decade ago. Hailing from Texas and sharing such a unique bond has allowed them to withstand the test of time. When you listen to their music, you will be transported to a sound that isn’t as common in country music today, the blending harmonies of a male and female voice. The power of a male/female duo.

There have been a few male/female duo’s over the the last couple of decades, Thompson Square and Sugarland are the most prominent. There has been so much success with each group, and yet still not enough credit to the power of the male/female duo. I was able to talk to Smithfield about the power of the female/male duo and how much they bring to the table. The story telling and the chemistry they can share on stage. We spoke about how even though there have been other male/female duos, there hasn’t been as much success with getting airplay on the radio. We mentioned how successful trio Lady A has been with similar song content and the way their songs are designed to really give equal vocals to both a male and female voice.

It has been a couple of years since their last EP release, so we chatted about their upcoming release New Town and it felt like talking with old friends. Their EP, set to release June 16, is one that was truly made in a labor of love. The project was funded by a kickstarter campaign by their fans. Variety Beat is definitely proud to be one of those contributors. As such, we were also privy to listening to a couple of songs that have yet to be released. More on that below!

Fielder spoke about recording their EP New Town that wrapped up two days before the world shut down due to the global pandemic. The duo’s plan to release the new music kept getting pushed back as they realized this was not going to just be a quick shut down, but actually go on for months and months. Once time continued to pass they decided to wait to release their new music and instead release a Christmas song, which they have always wanted to do.

Now in 2021, there are new and exciting opportunities as the country begins to open back up. It finally feels like the right time to release the EP they made a year ago. The six song EP includes two previously released tracks, “Sunday Best” and “Something Sexy.” Fielder explained the theme of the EP and how each song tells a story inside of a story. The EP shares a story about the ups and downs of relationships. Fielder described “New Town” as that freshness and newness of falling in love with somebody. “Something Sexy” is about going to that next level where things begin to get very romantic. “Burning Wings” is when you hit a bump and hard blocks in relationships. It also has rock vibe to it, which made Trey extremely happy to hear since he used to be in a rock band prior to forming the duo Smithfield. Fielder continued to explain that “Sunday Best” is when you look past those hardships and love them anyway. “I’ll Never Stop” tells the story of when things don’t work out but you still have to keep going and you still have love for that person.

Since contributing to the kickstarter, I was able to listen to “Burning Wings” and “I’ll Never Stop.” I can say with confidence that there is something on this EP for anyone who has been in a relationship. The power and harmonies of the male/female duo is something that is unexplainable.

Kickstarter Photo Exclusive!

The duo will kick off their EP release with a full band show in Nashville, June 17 to celebrate the release. They are excited to sing all their own songs with a full capacity show. They are also excited to be headlining at a venue and are grateful for the opportunity to play for their fans and get back to playing live shows again after a year of not being able to perform. Be sure to check out their new EP New Town available everywhere music is streamed June 16!

The show will be streamed live on American Songwriter’s Facebook page, SmithField’s YouTube and Facebook, 3rd & Lindsley’s Facebook page, and nugs.net. This show comes on the heels of their highly anticipated EP, which is set to release on Wednesday, June 16. Pre-save/pre-add NEW TOWN HERE.