Just starting my internship at the Country Music Association, I was thrilled to learn I would be on the front line helping gear up for the 2010 CMA Music Festival.  As a Vanderbilt University sophomore all the way from Michigan, who has never been to the Festival, I realized it might be helpful to research the history of the event. Based on the three different venues that have housed the event, I’ll give you a peek into some of the interesting tid-bits I’ve learned.     

Municipal Auditorium 1972-1982   

The Municipal Auditorium in the 1970s

Started in response to overcrowding at the annual Country Music DJ convention in Nashville, and originally called Fan Fair, Country music heavyweights, such as Barbara Mandrell, Bill Monroe, Conway Twitty, Dolly Parton, Ernest Tubb, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Waylon Jennings were featured at the first event in April of 1972.    

Photo of Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn from the 1973 Fan Fair Program Book.

My jaw dropped when I compared the first-year attendance of 5,000 to last year’s daily attendance of 56,000.  Another interesting fact? All fans at the early Fan Fairs were even treated to a barbeque luncheon prior to the show.    

The event was moved to June in 1973 and attendance doubled to 10,000 fans.   

By 1974, Fan Fair was the biggest convention in Nashville, generating $1 million in revenue.  (Compare that to 2009’s economic impact on the city of Nashville – $23 million.)   

Also in 1974, Country music history was made as Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner performed a duet for the last time in more than a decade, and Paul McCartney’s surprise visit sparked a tradition of cross-genre artist appearances that would carry on for years to come.   

Though 1978’s event didn’t kick off until Wednesday, June 8, the party began Tuesday night.  There was square dancing on James Robertson Parkway, winding lines outside nightclubs and a sold out pre-Fan Fair show.   

The "King of Country Music," Roy Acuff, greets the crowd at the 1976 Fan Fair at Municipal Auditorium.

The early 1980s saw such growth in Fan Fair that it had out-grown the Municipal Auditorium and had to find another venue. More information to come on that…   

Did you happen to attend Fan Fair during these early days? Do you have any stories or photos you’d like to share. Please post them in the comments!   

- Merrill   

CMA Communications Department Intern