Friday morning, the Country Music Association announced the initial roster of artists set to play this year's CMA Fest, which will take over Lower Broadway and Nissan Stadium June 8-11 (surely to the consternation of some, the same weekend as Bonnaroo). As you might have guessed if you were paying attention in 2016 or 2015, there are few surprises — on the main stage at Nissan Stadium, or anywhere else. As contributor Chris Parton pointed out last year, those lineups, especially on the stadium stage, don't change much.
If you'll go, you'll see regulars like Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert. You'll also see respected performers with broader appeal, like Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Brandy Clark and Little Big Town, as well as legacy sets from Kenny Rogers and John Anderson. Go further afield, and you can catch Natalie Stovall, Maggie Rose, Lillie Mae Rische or the resplendently bearded Sundance Head, 2016 winner of NBC's The Voice under Shelton.
But who you won't see might raise an eyebrow.
Sturgill Simpson, whose A Sailor's Guide to Earth won the Grammy for Best Country Album, is nowhere to be found. Nor is Margo Price, who a couple weeks back was awarded the American Music Prize for her outstanding debut LP Midwest Farmer's Daughter, which also earned her Emerging Artist of the Year honors in 2016 from the Americana Music Association.
It's not like Simpson and Price are critical darlings who still remain unknown outside a niche audience — Simpson was all over late-night TV in 2016, and Price was even name-checked as an emblem of cool on Nashville. Whatever the reason (CMA hasn't been known to pay much attention to Simpson; Price plays her first Bonnaroo this year, so scheduling could be a consideration there), it's a missed opportunity to claim two phenomenal artists.
CMA's loss doesn't have to be yours. Simpson has a busy summer schedule, and while there aren't any Nashville dates on the books right now, nearby festival stops include Forecastle in Louisville and Sloss Music Fest in Birmingham. Following Bonnaroo, Price will be back in Nashville at Ascend Amphitheater with My Morning Jacket on July 7.
