CMA Music Festival Looks to Volunteer Assistance

Volunteers received a t-shirt keepsake

More than sixty-thousand country music fans are expected to jam downtown Nashville each of the next four days for the CMA Music Festival. Hundreds of volunteers will be helping with crowd control and manning information booths.

For the past three years, the Country Music Association has reduced its paid staff at the festival and shifted some responsibilities to volunteers.

CMA recruits the free labor by offering two free tickets to Sunday night’s finale. High school student, Megan Broadbent, says it’s worth her time.

“We have other stuff to do. We’re choosing to do this so we can get tickets. We could be hanging out at the pool right now.”

Jeff Neilson with his son, Kyle, during Wednesday’s kick-off events

But for some, the freebies aren’t the only motivation for enjoying the celebration. Jeff Neilson is a teacher from Christiana.

“For someone like me, you know, you think of a small town and you come here and you just meet everyone from around the world. That’s what I get a joy out of: just talking to the people.”

Neilson says he will be giving his tickets for Sunday’s show to his daughter.

For maps of Festival events, parking areas, and a restaurant guide, click HERE.