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Women in CMA Fest lineup 'not quite equal' but 'getting there'

pilgrimagefestival.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  Two of Middle Tennessee’s largest music festivals are out with their 2019 lineups.

Topping the CMA Fest bill this year will be Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Pistol Annies, Dierks Bentley, Maren Morris and Little Big Town. The festival begins June 6th.

The Pilgrimage Festival also out with its lineup. Top billing at the Franklin show goes to The Foo Fighters, The Killers, and Keith Urban. Pilgrimage gets underway September 21st.

Nashville Scene Music Editor Stephen Trageser notes a promising change in the CMA lineup. He says the roster shows a marked improvement in the number of female performers.

“The percentage of women on the main stage is up to about 33 percent from about 23 percent last year. So not quite equal, but it’s getting there and that’s a good move.”

Trageser also notes that CMA Fest and Bonnaroo do not fall on the same weekend this year. He says that’s likely to be a plus for what he calls “cross pollination” – fans who want to attend both events.

As for Pilgrimage, Trageser says the top billing is world class.

“You’ve got the Foo Fighers and The Killers who are two of the most established Rock acts in the country and maybe the world. Then you’ve also got a top-tier Country star who is a major guitar shredder.”

Trageser notes Foo Fighters and The Killers more commonly play arena  sized venues. He says it will be interesting to see how the two groups approach a festival performance.

Bad weather caused major problems at Pilgrimage last fall. Franklin officials say they’ll be better prepared this year.

Would you like to check out Stephen Traegesar's articles on these shows?