The CMA Music Festival kicks off this week in Nashville, and Rascal Flatts, who have been attending the festival for over 15 years, have a lot of great memories. Jay DeMarcus says, “I think one of my favorite memories is remembering the last time it was at the fairgrounds. We were a part of that, that year we were a brand new act and just to see that and be a part of it remembering how it was when I was a kid it was really, really special for me, and I know for the guys too. And we got to meet Garth (Brooks) that year. We were new kids on the scene and it was so overwhelming walking by all of those superstars and seeing people we had idolized for so long”
Since its days at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, the CMA Music Festival has grown considerably, adding hundreds more live performances and activities, most of which are free, and drawing in thousands and thousands more fans. Jay says, “One of the incredible things also is to see how much it’s grown how much our genre has literally reached the farthest corners of the world to take country music to and it’s amazing to see how many people travel from everywhere to come to this event this week. I love that so much and it’s a testament to what country music has become and how worldwide it is now. It’s no longer a niche market.”
Rascal Flatts will be performing their latest single, “Yours If You Want It,” this Wednesday night on the CMT Music Awards, then they’ll also be performing at the festival on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium.
Rascal Flatts – CMA Fest memories :50
Jay DeMarcus – “Well I think one of my favorite memories is remembering the last time it was at the fairgrounds. We were a part of that, that year we were a brand new act and just to see that and be a part of it remembering how it was when I was a kid it was really, really special for me, and I know for the guys too. And we got to meet Garth that year. We were new kids on the scene and it was so overwhelming walking by all of those superstars and seeing people we had idolized for so long. And one of the incredible things also is to see how much it’s grown how much our genre has literally reached the farthest corners of the world to take country music to and it’s amazing to see how many people travel from everywhere to come to this event this week. I love that so much and it’s a testament to what country music has become and how worldwide it is now. It’s no longer a niche market.”