CMA TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL VOLUNTEER FAIR FOR CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL THURSDAY, APRIL 7 AND SATURDAY, APRIL 9
NASHVILLE – CMA is once again looking for top-notch volunteers to help during 2011 CMA Music Festival which will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12, in Downtown Nashville. This marks the second year the trade association has asked the citizens of Middle Tennessee and beyond to help the Nashville community by serving as ambassadors during the event. Half of the net proceeds from 2011 CMA Music Festival will be donated to support music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools through CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program.
“Through the generous help of last year’s nearly 300 volunteers, we were able to give $2.9 million back to the community by supporting music education and flood relief,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “Our volunteers stepped up as ambassadors for Nashville, and we look forward to once again turning their benevolent efforts into much needed funding for the music students in Metro Nashville Public Schools.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can attend CMA’s Volunteer Fair from 4:00–7:00 PM/CT, Thursday, April 7 or 10:00 AM–2:00 PM/CT, Saturday, April 9 at the CMA office at One Music Circle S., Nashville (TN, 37203) to fill out an application and learn more about the volunteer opportunities. Those who cannot attend the Volunteer Fair may also submit an application online at CMAfest.com.
There are some requirements to volunteer: You must be at least 18-years-old, in good physical health, and able to work a minimum of two days during the Festival. Many of the jobs require standing for long periods, extensive walking, some light lifting, and outside duties in the heat (and possible rain). Jobs range from manning the information booths, to handing out product samples, to keeping the photo lines running smoothly. Some posts require a valid Tennessee driver license. Volunteers are also needed for the CMA Music Festival kick-off events on Wednesday, June 8. CMA will provide volunteers parking, event T-shirts, catering during working hours, and two tickets to one of the nightly shows at LP Field.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary since starting as Fan Fair® in 1972, CMA Music Festival is Nashville’s signature music event. Dubbed by USA Today as “the crown jewel of Country Music festivals.” the event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more. In 2010, the Festival drew a record-setting 65,000 fans from all 50 states and 26 nations. CMA Music Festival is a four-time winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010).
The Festival has benefited charity since 2001, but in 2006 the CMA Board of Directors decided to channel all funds to one central cause important to all the artists who participate in the event – music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools – through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education. To date, CMA has donated more than $4.7 million to purchase the much-needed musical instruments and equipment that give students a strong reason to remain in school, as well as to help fund the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “Words & Music” program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting.
CMA Music Festival’s financial impact extends beyond its charitable merits. According to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, direct visitor spending generated by the Festival totaled more than $23 million.
For up-to-the-minute information about four-day ticket packages, single night tickets to the Nightly Concerts at LP Field, travel information, schedules, artist appearances and more, visit www.CMAfest.com to sign up for CMA Exclusive e-news and join the CMA MOB mobile community. Fans may also want to check out CMA’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/CountryMusicAssociation), Twitter (www.Twitter.com/CountryMusic), and YouTube (www.YouTube.com/CountryMusicAssoc) pages.