2007 CMA festival sets attendance record

06/12/2007 3:17 PM, AP


The Country Music Association's 2007 festival drew a record attendance of 191,154 people over four days.

The music festival, which began Thursday and ended Sunday, featured dozens of artists including Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Gretchen Wilson, Trace Adkins, Sugarland and Big & Rich.

Last year, the CMA reported attendance of about 161,000 — up from 145,000 in 2005.

Attendance totals are aggregate, meaning an individual who attends each of the four days is counted four times in the total.

Known as Fan Fair when it started in 1972, the festival has always given fans a chance to shake hands or maybe just see their favorite country singers.

The CMA has been trying to boost local support for the event, which has been viewed by many Nashville residents as a tourist trap.

CMA officials say steady growth in single-ticket sales for the nightly concerts indicates that this perception is changing. This year, single concert ticket sales were up 14 percent from last year.

"It's a trend that started two years ago and we are seeing it grow from year to year," CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese said Monday.

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