CMA Music Festival Hotter Than Ever

Every year the CMA Music Festival (aka Fan Fair) is the hottest ticket in Nashville. Not only is the weather hot, but the talent line-up is even hotter. Getting to meet so many Elvis fans on Broadway this year has been such a treat.

CMA Music Festival, which started as Fan Fair in 1972, is all about the fans and their relationship with the artists and the music. This year 65,000 people converged on Nashville each day during the 4-day event which happens every June. Fans come from all 50 states and over 40 different countries to stand in long autograph lines to meet their favorite country singers and see dozens of live concerts performed all over Downtown.

The one moment I'll treasure most is that I became a fan that week of the world's cutest Elvis impersonator - Gabriel "The Storm" Jarrett. At 6-year's old he packs a powerful punch in that little Elvis suit. Not only is he adorable, but he can sing and has all the moves. He even does a great Johnny Cash and has more Facebook fans than me!

Representing Elvis during that time is such a pleasure. He still has so many fans, and I am blessed to be the recipient of some of that love and kindness he sowed so generously during his life.

Thank you to all those new fans I got  to meet. I hope to see you next year. If you have never been to the CMA Music Fest, it's a great way to celebrate the best of Nashville. The don't call us Music City USA for nothin'!

Nashville Predator's Gnash Meets the Nashville Elvis

The Nashville Predators have come a long way these last couple years going from possibly leaving Nashville to making the NFL play-offs in 2011. The city of Nashville has a love affair with their Preds - so much so that Music City is willing to also call itself "Smashville".

I have had the pleasure of working the Predators organization. They are a class act. We are blessed to have Barry Trotz and all the terrific players.  My wife was thrilled when they made the smart  move to add Carrie Underwood's husband Mike Fisher this season also. He's been a great for the team and a big morale boost for the city.

Hockey is a tough sport and the Preds prove they can hang with the big guys including my first hockey love the Red Wings. Now they are our biggest rival.

Elvis would have been proud to have the Stanley Cup brought back to Tennessee.  Preds, the King is behind you 100%!