The Country Music Association (CMA), the esteemed trade association of the Country Music industry, unveils the launch date for their groundbreaking documentary film, “CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair.” This original production serves as a celebration of CMA Fest, the renowned Country Music festival, and will premiere exclusively on Hulu on Wednesday, July 5. Representing the CMA as executive producers are Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern and Senior Vice President, Marketing, Content & Communications Strategy Kelly Striewski.
The 75-minute documentary, “CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair,” weaves a compelling narrative through exclusive interviews, rare archival content, and electrifying performances from the festival’s illustrious history. It pays homage to the event’s humble beginnings as Fan Fair in 1972, which initially attracted 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. The festival then transitioned to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982 before finding its permanent home in downtown Nashville in 2001. Today, CMA Fest draws an astounding 80,000 fans per day, spanning four days and representing all 50 states and 39 countries.
Featuring interviews with a host of Country Music luminaries, including Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and many more, the documentary paints a vibrant picture of the festival’s evolution and its enduring impact on the genre.
Sarah Trahern, CMA’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed her excitement for the film’s release, stating, “CMA Fest has taken several shapes throughout its storied history. As we step into our 50th year, our hope with this film is to underscore the one thing that has remained with the festival—its heart. We are thrilled to share the evolution and magic of this incredible event with the Hulu audience.”
Kelly Striewski, CMA’s Senior Vice President, Marketing, Content & Communications Strategy, emphasized the film’s unique perspective, stating, “What better way to tell the story of CMA Fest than through the eyes of the artists, our industry, and the fans? This film highlights the truly unique connection that exists within CMA Fest and how this festival has continued to grow the Country community throughout its 50 years. We couldn’t be happier to have this story debut on Hulu.”
Rob Mills, Executive Vice President, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment at Walt Disney Television, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We have a long and valued partnership with CMA and are excited to expand on that by adding this extraordinary film to the Hulu slate. We can’t wait to share this with music lovers everywhere, who will be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of CMA Fest and its many contributions to the Country Music community.”
As CMA Fest celebrated its milestone 50th anniversary from June 8-11, 2023, in downtown Nashville, fans experienced an unforgettable experience with hundreds of artists performing across multiple stages. The festival offered a diverse range of activities, from up-close-and-personal moments at Fan Fair X inside Music City Center to star-studded nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium. Additionally, free daytime performances at outdoor stages and unique activations along Nashville’s famed Broadway strip provided a vibrant atmosphere for attendees. It’s worth noting that artists generously donated their time, ensuring a portion of ticket proceeds can be invested in high-quality music education programs throughout the United States via the CMA Foundation, the CMA’s philanthropic arm.
On July 19, ABC will also air its annual “CMA Fest” network primetime special, adding to the celebration of Country Music’s rich heritage and CMA Fest’s enduring legacy.
