Destination Nashville, City of Music

Nashville is generating excitement as the City of Music gears up for the summer festival season. In addition to hosting the CMA Music Festival 2009, Nashville is host to a variety of events this summer. The CMA Music Festival was dubbed the "crown jewel of Country Music Festivals" by USA Today and features some of the best known country artists of our time including artists who were born before 1969 like Trace Adkins, and artists that were born some 20 years later like Taylor Swift.

The CMA Global Artist Party is the unofficial kick off to the CMA Music Festival. If you want to see the best in Country Music entertainment from around the world, then visit The Stage on Broadway on June 8th. (Not to be confused with the many stages on that other Broadway somewhere in New York.)

On Wednesday June 10th, Greer Stadium is home to the City of Hope's 19th Annual Celebrity Softball Challenge. The softball game will feature some of Country Music’s hottest stars attempting to look good while breaking a sweat.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the landmark an destination in Nashville. You haven't seen Nashville if you haven't seen this! All visitors must check out all of the artifacts on display and be certain to visit the Sing Me Back Home ever-changing permanent exhibit. An ever-changing permanent exhibit! Need I say more?

Don't forget to also see the show that made Country Music world famous. The Grand Ole Opry will host a star studded performance on June 9th with Carrie Underwood, and many other people who are not yet world famous.

Also check out where the first Country Super Stars got their start. The Ryman Auditorium first opened its doors in 1892 and hosted the first Grand Ole Opry show in 1943 making the Ryman Auditorium "the Mother Church of Country Music." Fully restored in 1994, the Ryman Auditorium continues to be a great Nashville music venue. Where else can you find a "Mother Church" of any music genre?

The 3rd Annual Country Weekly Fashion Show is a one-of-a-kind fashion event and concert. Country stars take to the runway to benefit Musicians On Call. The event takes place at the world famous Wildhorse Saloon. A fashion show at a saloon can ony be found in Nashville.