RODNEY ATKINS TO HOST SEVENTH-‐ANNUAL MUSIC CITY GIVES BACK CONCERT
Rodney Atkins is set to host the Music City Gives Back concert for the seventh year in a row in 2017. The event takes place on June 6, unofficially launching CMA Music Festival week in Nashville.
The event benefits the W.O. Smith Music School, which offers music education to children in low-‐income families. Performers announced so far include Kip Moore, Granger Smith, Cole Taylor and RISERS act Brett Young.
“Nashville is a special place in the way that people in this community truly support one another and this is another great example of Nashville and the music industry coming together to support the kids and future of our community,” Atkins says in a press release. “As an artist, I’m blessed to be able to call Nashville home and grateful for the opportunity to give back through music with this event every year.” The concert takes place in downtown Music City and is free and open to the public.
CMA Fest kicks off Thursday, June 8, and continues through the weekend before closing out on Sunday, June 11. Several of country music's biggest stars have signed on to participate, including Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Sam Hunt and Kelsea Ballerini. These are just some of the names taking the main stage at Nissan Stadium. Granger Smith, Runaway June, Jamie Lynn Spears, Brooke Eden and The Bachelorette's Luke Pell and many more will perform throughout the week on several other stages that will be set up across downtown Nashville.
The 2017 CMT Awards serve as the inaugural kickoff to the week, airing live from Nashville's Music City Center on June 7.