Why are CMA Fest's LP Field Lineups so Stagnant?

The CMA Music Festival is upon us, and that means four nights of the "freshest" stars in country music entertaining a crowd numbering more than 50,000 at LP Field — at least that's what fans are told.

Let's take a look at some of this year's big names: Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban ... there are 21 in all.

Now let's think back to last year and further still to 2013: Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban. Hmm.

There are only seven artists booked for LP this year who did not play last year, and only four who will make their main-stage debut: Sam Hunt, Cole Swindell, Brett Eldredge and ... Neal McCoy.

So what gives? Are there only a handful of country artists capable of the job?

In short: kind of.

Ever since the nightly stadium shows hit network television in 2004 as CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock, the CMA stadium gigs have become awards shows with no awards. A lot of it comes down to predictable TV ratings.

Think about it: When's the last time you saw a truly unexpected artist get big-time coverage on a country awards show (who wasn't there as some hair-brained attempt to attract "crossover viewers")? The best you'll come up with is Brandy Clark on a side stage, or a legacy act like Loretta Lynn.

Even this barely works on the LP Field stage. Sure, Alan Jackson will be there this year, and he'll probably make the telecast for a minute or two, but anyone who was there will never forget the time Dwight Yoakam was invited to close the festival in 2008.

It was his first time back in 20 years, and as soon as fans heard his name announced as the next performer, the stadium cleared out. How embarrassing.

The fans in the stands are the same fans in front of the tube, and if they'll walk out of the concert, they'll flip the channel, too.