Summer Festivals in Tennessee

With Memphis and Nashville dominating the western and central parts of the state, it is no surprise that music is the central theme of summer festivals in Tennessee. If you love music, get to Tennessee this summer for one of the many music themed events.

The Beale Street Music Festival is held May 4 - 6, 2007 in Tom Lee Park in downtown Memphis, right off of the legendary Beale Street. Additional information is available at http://memphisinmay.org/home.html

This three day festival overlooking the Mississippi River has four stages with everything from the blues to rock to alternative to soul. Drawing over one hundred thousand music lovers from all over the country, this festival celebrates the music that put Memphis on the map. Do not forget to try some Memphis barbeque while you are in town. And a trip to Memphis would not be complete without a stop at Elvis' Graceland.

The Whiskey Stock Music Fest in Cookeville, TN, which is about an hour east from Nashville, takes place over Labor Day Weekend, August 31 - September 3. Featuring local and national performers, Whiskey Stock has continuous music on two stages, as well as hundreds of vendors and food options. Find out more at http://www.whiskeystockmusicfest.com/home.htm

One of Chattanooga's biggest festivals, the nine-day Riverbend Festival, which takes place June 8 - 16, 2007 at Ross's Landing on the Tennessee River, has six stages and over a hundred performers, including such recognizable names as Daughtry, Earth Wind & Fire, Jars of Clay, and Blake Shelton. Besides nationally known musical acts, the Riverbend Festival offers other great activities, such as a block party that they dub "the biggest and best... in the Southeast". More information can be found at http://www.riverbendfestival.com/

Proving Tennessee's ability to draw big name talent, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, an outdoor music fest that takes place June 14 - 17 in Manchester, Tennessee consistently brings in some of the biggest names in the music industry. This year, Bonnaroo will host performances by The Police, The White Stripes, Wilco, Kings of Leon, Fountains of Wayne, and Ziggy Marely, as well as Lewis Black in the comedy tent. Get more information, or buy tickets, at http://www.bonnaroo.com/

If you think it can't get any bigger than Bonnaroo, think again. What was once Fan Fair is now the CMA Music Festival. Featuring artist booths, autograph signings, over two hundred country music artists, and seventy hours of live music, the CMA Music Festival is the only festival of its kind. Over a hundred and twenty-five thousand fans converge on downtown Nashville in June to listen to live music and meet their favorite artists. There are also a slew of fan club parties around the city for each individual artist's fan club. And the biggest fan club party of all is Chely Wright's, which is open to everyone with fan club members getting priority seating. It takes place at the Wildhorse Saloon.

This year, the CMA Music Festival takes place June 7 - 10. Concerts and signings are all within walking distance of each other, and take place at many different locations all over downtown. Find out more at http://www.cmafest.com/2007/

Proving that Nashville is not the only music city in Tennessee, there are music festivals in all of the major cities in the state. Whatever your musical tastes, you can find it in Tennessee this summer.