Diehard Fans

by Richard McVey II

For serious fans, country isn’t just a style of music, it’s a way of life. It speaks to them. Its singers narrate stories of their lives, stories that depict their values, bring them joy, heal their broken hearts, and help them fall in love. Whether it’s playing on a Saturday night around a small town square or blaring from an apartment in the city, it’s the soundtrack of the American people.

Nowhere is this more evident than at the world’s biggest country music festival. The CMA Music Festival, formerly Fan Fair, scheduled June 10 to 13 in Nashville, Tenn., has become a pilgrimage, of sorts, for country music loyalists who want to see their beloved singers perform, get their autographs, shake their hands, and thank them for telling their stories.

"I met a lady who cried as she told me that my song, You Can't Hide Beautiful, changed her life," singer Aaron Lines says. "She said it gave her the strength to overcome her eating disorder—anorexia—and to get back on her feet. Little did she know that she changed my life by telling me that. That’s the greatest thing about music, being able to reach so many different people in so many different ways."

The music has reached out and done just that. A look around downtown Nashville is proof positive. The streets are filled with families, friends, moms and dads, teenagers and senior citizens. They’ve come from large cities such as Los Angeles and Denver, and smaller towns such as Benton, Ill. (pop. 6,880), Henderson, Ky. (pop. 27,373), and Grapevine, Texas (pop. 42,059). They display a sweet charm and delightful giddiness about being in Music City USA. Some arrive by bus and plane, while others drive more than a dozen hours.

One such attendee is Samara Counsell of Fall River, Mass., who journeyed nearly 19 hours with only a stack of CDs to keep her company. "I got to bed around 1 a.m.," says the 26-year-old, who wears her cowboy hat and sleeveless Western shirt with pride. "Then I got up at 6:30 this morning to go to Keith Urban’s fan club party and haven’t stopped since."

Counsell says it was the combination of heartbreak and country’s biggest star that pulled her into the fold. "Garth Brooks did it," she smiles. "My friend gave me his tape and that was the first time I discovered I liked country music. Then I really got into it when I had a relationship that didn’t work out too well. I drowned myself in the music and from there it snowballed."

"A lot of times I hear a country song and say, ‘Wow, that’s us," says police officer Kevin Medas, 43.

His wife, Kerri Medas, 31, agrees. "People like the music because they can relate to the lyrics. That’s why I’m such a huge country music fan." The couple, from Taunton, Mass., flew in for the four-day event with their sons, Ethan, 3, and Kyle, 5. "We’re trying to educate these two about the music," she says, "and they’re already big fans."

Concerts and autographs

The event draws more than 200 country music artists and provides 45 hours worth of concerts. To keep fans busy, the festival incorporates a host of activities, from day and nighttime concerts and a kids’ area, to booths where fans wait in line, sometimes for hours, to meet their favorite artists.

"Country fans are dedicated," says Michael Leeney, 39, of San Diego. "This is my third year. I’m an old-timer who likes Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Hank Jr., and George Strait." He points to his friends and family. "We’ve been going to the shows day and night. It was raining during last night’s show, but the music sounds the same whether it’s in the rain or on a beautiful night. We’re in line for next year’s tickets; although I’m in the Navy, so I don’t know if I’m going to be around next summer, I’m going to try."

Singer Jessica Andrews, who calls herself a fan, also looks forward to the event. "I love to meet all my fans. It’s my time to spend with them. That’s what it’s all about. Country fans are so loyal and honest."

The event, which started in 1972, draws a crowd of more than 124,000 from all 50 states and a dozen foreign territories, according to the event’s organizer, the Country Music Association (CMA). The ages are similarly wide ranging.

Noah King, a bright-eyed 5-year-old from Byrdstown, Tenn., attended last year’s festival with his mother, Emily King, 22. "I like Kenny Chesney," he says, grinning ear to ear. "My favorite song is Tractor Sexy," he adds, which in kid speak translates to Chesney’s chart topper She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy. Ask him who else he’d like to see at the event and answer is quick. "Well, I’d like to see Buzz Lightyear."

On the other end of the age spectrum is 82-year-old Ray Hutchens of Benton, Ill., who’s just finished dancing. "I’ve been dancing a lot," he says. "I’ve always wanted to come because country fans are just down-to-earth people. I grew up listening to Eddie Arnold and I got to talk to him yesterday."

"We love that there’s a place that allows us to come face to face with our fans," says Jay DeMarcus of the group Rascal Flatts. "We have fans that will drive all night to see our next show. Country music has the most loyal fan base."

Unexpected surprises

Over the last 32 years, the festival has held quite a few surprises. In 1995, Tammy Wynette and George Jones reunited for their first live performance together in 17 years. Then, in1996, Garth Brooks appeared unexpectedly and signed autographs for more than 23 consecutive hours. It’s an event where fans can spot up-and-coming singers such as Dierks Bentley or rub elbows with legends like Crystal Gayle.

"I know everything there is to know about country music," says Rachel Green, 18, of Lenoir, N.C.

"This is her graduation present," explains her mom Ann Bishop, 42. "We’ve made a lot of new friends."

Green adds, "No other genre of music does this. You can come here and meet the artists. That’s cool. There’s something about country stars, they’re friendlier and more down to earth."

"Alan Jackson played in the rain last night," Bishop adds. "We didn’t leave or give up. We’ve been getting up at 6 a.m. and going to bed after 1 in the morning."

"You don’t sleep," Green says with a laugh. "You can rest when you get home. I just love the music. I don’t listen to anything else."

Artists such as Chris Cagle also feel the excitement. "It’s special for me," he says. "I’m proud that we are the one genre of music that takes the time to give back what the fans give us. They’re dedicated and passionate."

Three such attendees are Nancy Blazek, Arlene Dickerson and Nancy Hall, who are on their fourth trip to the festival. They’re decked out in conspicuously matching outfits with Steve Holy T-shirts, blue jeans, and sun hats adorned with a bright yellow flower. The trio, all around 60 and hailing from Grapevine, Texas, have been friends since their kids started first grade together. "We drove 10 and a half hours," Hall says.

"We love it here," Dickerson adds. "These fans are so honest, loyal and down to earth. We’ve met fans from Japan to Canada. They let their hair down and just enjoy life."

"If you’re coming with your friends like this," Hall says, "we’ve learned to laugh at ourselves. You just relax and go home feeling 10 years younger."

Dickerson concludes, "During this event, you can go the clubs, the Coliseum, or sit in the hotel lobby and watch country artists come through. The whole thing has been a blast. We love country music."

In the end, whether it’s the simplicity of a song about small-town life (Montgomery Gentry’s Our Town) or classic tales of undying love (Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire), fans all around America come to the event for simple reasons—it’s their music, their artists and their stories.

Richard McVey II is an American Profile editor.

first appeared: 6/6/2004