CMA Announces Location for Fan Fair 2001.

Entertainment Editors/Music Writers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 21, 2000

After lengthy review and discussions, the CMA Board of Directors has voted to host Fan Fair 2001, June 14-17 in Nashville announced CMA Executive Director Ed Benson today during a press conference at the Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel immediately following the board's quarterly meeting. Beginning next year the event will move its main stage shows to Adelphia Coliseum and the popular exhibits and autograph booths will be in the Nashville Convention Center.

The decision returns Fan Fair to downtown Nashville where the event originated in 1972. Discussions with the City of Nashville are ongoing and a new model for Fan Fair 2001 is still in development. But the most popular elements of the annual conclave for Country Music faithful will stay the same - including star-packed concerts and autograph signings with Country Music superstars.

"Fan Fair has been going strong for 29 years but we have big plans to grow into the 21st Century with the move to Adelphia Coliseum," said Benson. "The challenge now is to maintain the unique character and traditions of Fan Fair while enhancing the experience for the fans, artists and everyone involved."

"It is rewarding that the premiere concert event in Country Music is staying in Music City USA," said Jerry Bradley, chairman of the CMA Fan Fair Committee. "A lot of careful evaluation and deliberation has gone into the decision, and now we're excited about getting down to the business of creating a bigger and better event."

The CMA has been looking at changing venues since late 1999, when a $26.8 million plan to refurbish the aging Tennessee State Fairgrounds - the location of Fan Fair for the past 19 years - was dropped. Several options have been discussed including moving the event to the Nashville Superspeedway currently under construction 35 miles from Nashville in neighboring Wilson County. Discussions with the city intensified when Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell took a personal interest in keeping Fan Fair in Music City dedicating the resources and time of senior staff members John Bridges, Director of Cultural Affairs, and Marilyn Edwards, Director of Special Events and Marketing, to the process.

The Administration's efforts were aided by Butch Spyridon Executive Vice President of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau; J. Richard Lodge Chairman of the Sports Authority; the Nashville Downtown Partnership and the District (both programs of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce).

Moving the event to the Adelphia Coliseum, home of the AFL Champion Tennessee Titans, allows Fan Fair to grow with seating for 50,000+ fans. The venue is convenient to hotels, restaurants, performance halls, clubs and the new Country Music Hall of Fame, which is scheduled to open May 2001. The scheduled completion of the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge over the Cumberland River will conveniently connect Adelphia to downtown where the popular fan club events and other Fan Fair-related activities can take place at nearby restaurants, clubs and other venues. Riverfront Park is also being considered for additional Fan Fair shows.

Other changes include moving the event from weekdays to a four-day weekend Thursday through Sunday, June 14-17, which makes attending Fan Fair easier for local residents as well as out of state travelers. Also under consideration is changing the ticket structure. Currently, fans may only purchase a four-day pass for $90 and other ticket options - including single day tickets - could be made available.

Fan Fair began in 1972 after fans started showing up at the annual DJ convention. Country Music leaders offered Fan Fair as an alternative and 5,000 people attended the first event, which was held at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium. The event moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982. Attendance at Fan Fair 2000 was 21,627.