CMA FEST: Day 2 - June 9, 2023

It weighed heavy on my heart to miss thee Ms. Lainey Wilson perform on the Chevy Riverfront stage, Dierks Bentley‘s CMA Close-up, and the live tapping of Country Heat’s interview with Tanya Tucker from Day 1 of the fest. However, prior arrangements called on me Thursday. Lucky for me, the entire rest of the weekend is packed with exciting performances and interesting conversations scheduled for Fan Fair.

The energy felt rather calm as I walked into the Music City Center to grab my Media pass. Apparently that’s what I needed in order to calm down my nerves a bit. I always get anxious before any major event. This was a good nervousness though. My eagerness for these next few made it hard to get any sleep.

Immediately after passing through security, I made my way towards the escalators. There was just enough time to catch Reba McEntire’s Artist Of The Day Interview with Cody Alan. Similar to the year before, I failed to consider the number of people that wished to occupy that space.

Naturally, I was met with a crowd of folks surrounding the panel. The crowd was thick in each direction. Yet, I somehow managed to get a solid spot to the right of the stage. I couldn’t ask for anything better. After all, I was in the presence of one of Entertainment’s biggest names.

Reba McEntire gets real on the CMA Close-up Stage.

The sit down with McEntire covered various random topics. Some questions from fans and others asked by the host of the Panel, Cody Alan (CMT Host).

When asked about her best cooking tip: Reba said, “Don’t sweat it. Some body will eat it.” The crowd let out a chuckle. Your girl did too. There is something about her southern drawl that makes her banter sound so sweet but it was her stories and advice that I found relatable.

Alan at some point asked McEntire what her favorite movie genre is to which she replied, ‘Comedy.’ While she followed that answer up with ‘.. A documentary but that’s technically not a movie.

Cody also picked apart the creative side of McEntire’s brain. When cutting a song, she was asked what she looks for n a song to cut. Reba quickly replied, “Has to touch my heart so when I sing it, it touches your(fans) hearts.”

A fan asked whom the most fun person she’s toured with. Reba paused for a second as if she was reminiscing. It appears touring with Kelly Clarkson was a grand ol’e time.

Fun fact: Reba’s favorite cocktail is a Vodka Grapefruit. However, a Vodka 7up also appreciated.

Cody Alan closes out the panel pivoting back the attention to her upcoming works. The Country music star shares that her new album features songs that are more uptempo. A new sound that she’s exciting about sharing with fans.

Reba did not go without bestowing an ounce of wisdom onto the audience. All of which are great principles to live by.

Words of Wisdom:

~ Work hard. There’s no sub for time and effort

~ Show up on time. (Stickler of this) No one wants to work with someone that doesn’t respect others time.

~ Treat everyone equally with kindness and respect just like Dolly does.

I got a little too comfortable up at Fan Fair that I was cutting it close on being late to my next move.

Tayler Holder was my first artist interview of the day. I was excited to hear about everything that he has going on since our conversation a year ago. The popular TikTok face was back at his 2nd CMA Fest ever. This time around, he’s one of the many talented Country Music artists blessing fans with live performances.

Boy, is it nice to see rising artists grow. The new Nashvillian seems to be finding his stride here in town.

Keep an eye out for my write-up on our conversation in the coming weeks.

While waiting for Jelly Roll, I sat in on the CMA Foundation Presents: Notes For Notes Student Performances.

Landon alongside a rising hip-hop artist Drew covered Morgan Wallen’s ‘Hometown.’

Before closing out the segment, Neon Union asked the student artists what Notes for Notes means to them. To them it means family.

I was ready and posted up by 1:15P. To the right of the stage, the other media people and I remained crouched down awaiting the man of the hour. We were among the lucky ones though. I overheard someone say they’ve been standing around the CMA Close-up stage since 11A.

A roar of cheers filled the room as Jelly Roll made his way to the stage.

The Interviewers were Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson with the Country Heat podcast. Sutton kicked off the panel asking Jelly Roll what changed his bad boy behavior to which he replied the birth of his daughter, Bailee.

The Nashville native born Jason DeFord briefly discussed his past, including a stint in juvie. While discussing his backstory, Jelly made sure to pitch his new documentary which happens to touch on the juvenile detention he onced spent time in. Just late last year, the Antioch man held a show in town from which all proceeds were donated to Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center. The exact facility that incarcerated him as a youth.

DeFord joked about being a great watch on a plane and to check out his documentary on Hulu.

He continued sharing his journey in true Jelly Roll fashion. The animated storyteller discussed trying to break into Country music and how Label heads really pushed him to go pop. Though he’s sure Charlie Pugh is lovely, he knew he wanted to collaborate with someone like Tim McgRaw.

Once he realized he wanted to go the Country music direction, he decided to meet with labels in town and that’s how he ended up at Broken Bow.

One of the hosts asked: “What’s the meaning of the album and the cover?”

Apparently the church featured on the cover is the same one he went to as a kid: Whitsitt Chapel Baptist Church. It is also the inspiration behind the title of album.

He said his daughter recently brought him back to Christ. While life on the road made it tough for him to make it out to her place of congregation.. he eventually made it out.

This story did not go without his dose of oneliners.

“At one point I asked Bailey where she was taking me. We were deep in the backwoods. I’m talking about this church is as country as cole slaw.” -Jason DeFord

It was after his religious rebirth that he decided to scratch the existing project. He decided to write a whole new album dedicated to Whitsett Chapel. From song 1 to song 13.

It warmed Jelly’s heart to see some of his favorites show up to help him on this album. Pals like Miranda Lambert and Ashley McBryde were just a few of the names mentioned.

Sutton asked how it felt being back at the juvenile detention from his past.

There was a brief pause before Jelly said that giving back is the least he can do. The only thing that matters is Music and philanthropy. He wants to write music that resonates and give back.

Sutton followed up the question with, ‘You just started singing. It’s amazing that you have not been singing like this before.” He added that he has always done karaoke but was never good at it from his POV. It was when a gentleman by the name Bob Seger that encouraged him to pursue singing. That’s how that ball rolling got rolling.

He randomly broke out in song. That song was ‘Old Time Rock & Roll.’

In that moment, the crowd finished off the song in unison.

The hosts then asked rapid fire questions:

Dream collab: Garth Brooks.

Strangest place he signed an autograph: (*long pause) next question.

Dream venue to play: Madison Square Garden

Kelly Sutton shared a story of the time Jelly Roll noticed a fan in crowd whom he sensed was going through it. Turns out, she was grieving the loss of a loved one. He asked his team that she be brought backstage. That is just one story of many showing the type of guy DeFord genuinely is.

This lines up with the kind of person I’ve often been told by acquaintances of his character. After all, he is an OG Nashville bred.

The rest of the conversation came with plenty of his notorious one liners.

He closed out the live podcast by encouraging the audience to go out and buy his album.

Whitsett Chapel is out now!

As I wrapped up the last of my scheduled points, I could not help but get a little giddy. I love that my day consisted of both Reba McEntire and Jelly Roll.

CMA Fest is in full swing.

Tune in tomorrow for Saturday’s festivities.