CMA Fest — originally scheduled for this weekend — is on pause for the second year due the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, more than 50,000 country music fans attended nightly sold-out shows at Nissan Stadium during the city’s largest annual tourism event.

In the spirit of all things CMA Fest + country music, we’ve put together this guide to help you curate your own festival this summer.

Tune into the CMT Awards

The CMT Awards — traditionally held at Bridgestone Arena the night before CMA Fest gets underway — is still on this year, and it’s happening live tonight. Hosted by Kane Brown + Kelsea Ballerini, the awards show features performances by Carrie Underwood, Mickey Guyton, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert + many more.

Presenters include Brett Young, Carly Pearce, and Little Big Town, as well as Anthony Mackie, Busy Philipps, and Michael Strahan. The fan-voted show is set to air at 7 p.m. on CMT, MTV + Paramount Network.

Relive some of the best moments

From Garth Brooks' 2017 surprise performance at Nissan Stadium (his first in 20 years) to Miranda Lambert's debut festival appearance in 2005, let’s look back on 16 years of festival moments.

Remember when Eric Church performed a nonstop 17-song acoustic medley to 60,000 fans or when Steven Tyler and Martina McBride teamed up for "Cryin'?" Head over to CMA’s official YouTube + rewatch festival clips ‘till your heart’s content.

Brush up on CMA Fest history

In case you didn’t know, what's now CMA Fest originally began as Fan Fair in 1972. Over the past 50 years, the festival moved from Municipal Auditorium to the Nashville Fairgrounds to downtown.

Maybe you want to learn more about Garth’s 23-hour autograph session in 1996 or see photos of Minnie Pearl + Charley Pride during the festival’s first decade. If so, consider this photo gallery required viewing.

#MUSTDO

TryThis

Yoga in the Park | Wed., June 9 | 6-7 p.m. | Shelby Park | Free | Pack a towel or a mat + unwind with a yoga session in the park. 🌳
Boxing at East Park | Wed., June 9 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | East Park, 700 Woodland St. | Donations accepted | BeWell in School + Punches n' Bunches are partnering to offer community boxing classes for all levels. 🥊

ForKids

One Sheet Songwriting Journal | Wed., June 9 | 10:30 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn how to make your own notebook perfect for jotting down song ideas.

Show

After Midtown | Wed., June 9 | 8 p.m. | Mercy Lounge, 1 Cannery Row | $10 | After officially reopening over the weekend, Mercy Lounge will host Nashville duo After Midtown + opening act Lakeview.
Wildheart Wednesdays | Wed., June 9 | 6:30 p.m. | 3rd and Lindsley, 818 3rd Ave. S. | $12 | Celebrate the craft of songwriting + live music at a show featuring everything from blues and bluegrass to pop and jazz. 🎶

WaterCooler

Nashville Sounds vs. Indianapolis Indians | Wed., June 9 | 7:05 p.m. | First Horizon Park | $15+ | First 1,000 fans will receive a hat. ⚾

MORE OF THIS WEEK'S EVENTS

📸 @norfwallfest

NORF Wall Fest, a mural project that debuted in 2015, returns this Sat., June 12. Bring your bike + meet at 27th + Jefferson St. to participate in mural bike tours beginning at 2 p.m.

If you don’t have a bike of your own — you can reserve a bike from Green Fleet by sending them a direct message.

There will also be a community block party from 10a.m.-6p.m.

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NEWS NOTES

Weather

83º | Thunderstorms | 80% chance of rain

Development

Nashville real estate giant Tony Giarratana’s latest 45-story tower proposal renderings have been released. The project will see a Metro traffic study this week + would be the 2nd tallest tower in the city — breaking the record of the 505 Church St. tower, which he also designed. 🌇 (Nashville Business Journal)

Civic

Beginning June 28, several Metro Nashville Police officers will share a squad car with mental health professionals to co-respond to mental health crisis scenes. A total of 16 officers — including 6 clinicians — between the North + Hermitage precincts volunteered for the training. (WKRN)
Ever wondered how the city's budget comes together? While we wait for Metro Council to approve the city's 2021-2022 operating budget later this month, read up on the process + key decision makers. (WPLN)

Dish

Brown's Diner (2102 Blair Blvd.), which opened its doors in 1927, will soon undergo interior and exterior renovations. A food truck will be stationed outside the restaurant while the new owners construct a new deck + update the kitchen space. (Nashville Post)

Coronavirus

Nashville is using its $5 million in COVID-19 relief money for health outreach teams. The Metro Public Health Department will work with nonprofit clinics in Southeast Nashville + North Nashville’s historically Black neighborhoods. The funding runs for 2 years, but could lead to a long-term program. (WPLN)

List

If you’ve ever wondered who the largest employers in Nashville are, Nashville Business Journal has the list. You can check out the top 10 employers + the interactive and expanded digital list.

Ranked

Tennessee State Parks is a finalist for the 2021 National Gold Medal Award from The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. Tennessee will compete for the gold medal at the national conference this September. Watch their video submission + read the press release here. 🏞

Listen

Show of hands, who's binged "Marriage or Mortgage" on Netflix? Nashville-based realtor Nichole Holmes + wedding planner Sarah Miller discussed the reality show on the latest episode of Nashville Lifestyles: The Podcast. 🎙️(Nashville Lifestyles)

Watch

Local couple Brooke and Brice Gilliam are set to star in a new home renovation show, "Making Modern." The show is expected to premiere on Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network later this year. 🏠 (WKRN)

WaterCooler

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Indy Race and Festival is 58 days away and crews are prepping the Nissan stadium parking lots + Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge — making this the first motorsports course of its kind to cross a major body of water. Tickets are still available. 🏎 (WTVF)

PlanAhead

You won’t bee-lieve it — The Tennessee Honey Festival is back on Oct. 3. This annual event promotes awareness of pollinators + the decline in the honey bee population. This year you’ll find honey vendors, honey-inspired beverages, live music, food trucks, and more. Tickets are $5 for kids, $10 for adults. 🐝