Review by Lori Simpson

            Day four brought an overcast sky and much cooler weather which was welcomed by everyone.  We stared out at the BIC Soleil Bella Beach checking out the huge Clydesdale horses and sitting in chairs on the beach watching the stars of tomorrow perform.  On the Durango Acoustic stage inside the convention center, the likes of Sarah Darling, The Grascals, The McClymonts, and Bluegrass legend Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme out.

            On the final day, the Bud Light stage played hosts to artists such as Mark Wills, Jason Michael Carroll, Mandy Barnett, Joanna Smith, and Robin Meade, to name a few.  Joanna Smith has a song that if it gets radio play will land at number one, remember you heard it here first, called “We Can’t Be Friends” and Jason Michael Carroll is one of the best entertainers in Nashville.  He has a unique sounds and great songs.  He is always a pleasure to watch.

            The Chevrolet Riverfront stage ended 2012 CMA Fest with JT Hodges, Sunny Sweeney, Steve Holy, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, the wild and crazy LoCash Cowboys, Jana Kramer, Darryl Worley, who will be hosting BamaJam next weekend in Enterprise, AL., Brett Eldredge, and Wade Bowen, before finishing the event with the very talented and beautiful superstar Ms Lorrie Morgan. What a performance she put on.  As always, she was at the top of her game.  She even invited her son Jesse Keith Whitley to the stage to sing his dad’s hit, “Miami, My Amy”.

            The nightly concerts at LP field ended 2012 CMA Music Festival with performances by The Mavericks, Scotty McCreery, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Alan Jackson, and Martina McBride.  Steel Magnolia and Whispering Bill Anderson were the acoustic guests on the final night.

            We spoke to several fans that were at CMA Music Festival for the first time and they said they would be back next year.  But they were in the minority, most people we talked to have been here before and make this a yearly quest.  One couple was making their 26 CMA Fest in a row.  Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the great music and great weather and can’t wait to make the trip to Nashville next year.

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