pickKeeping up with the latest news in country music, “The Pickup” hosts its 3rd Annual CMA Fest Episode bringing you all things CMA Fest. Prior to the official Thursday kickoff for CMA Fest, the busy week was already underway at the Ryman.

pick 15Darius Rucker hosted the 8th Annual Darius and Friends benefit concert which included Michael Ray, Dan + Shay, and Luke Combs. Rucker shares his thoughts with “The Pickup” on the event that has raised over $1 million for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital so far.

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The following day, charity was still taking place with Craig Campbell hosting his 5th Annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge. Joining him this year was Thompson Square and Jerrod Neiman. Campbell’s Cornhole Challenge raised money for a cause very near to the singer’s heart, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and he tells “The Pickup” exactly why it means so much to him.

pick 12One of the great things about CMA Fest is the chance for fans to meet their favorite artists by attending their fan club parties. “The Pickup” was invited to the one for The Charlie Daniels Band, where Daniels discusses just how appropriate the title of the event is.

pick11Joe Diffie talks to “The Pickup” about seeing the up-and-comers at the fest that he inspired over the years.

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“The Pickup” got to tag along with the Bellamy Brothers as they let their love flow at the Budweiser Forever Country Stage, and after that, did what Fan Fair has been about since 1972 – getting up close and personal with their fans.

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“The Pickup” was on hand at the Durango Music Spot and got the chance to talk to T. Graham Brown, Sylvia and Wade Hayes about the changes CMA Fest and Fan Fair have seen over the years.

TyAs CMA Fest was in full swing, Wildhorse Saloon hosted for the first time the star-studded 3rd Annual Ty Herndon Concert for Love and Acceptance where The Pickup was on hand to talk with Herndon. This year the event raised money for the Oasis Center.

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The 27th City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game took place on CMA Fest Saturday, and started with a powerful national anthem by Reba McEntire. Players included Kellie Pickler, Craig Campbell and The Property Brothers and commentary by Jeannie Seely, Lee Greenwood and Tim Rushlow. This year’s game broke an all-time attendance record, and “The Pickup” was there to catch it all.

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Also breaking attendance records this year was the actual CMA Fest. Visitors came from all 50 states and 18 different countries. Kristian Bush and Neal McCoy took a moment to chat with “The Pickup” about their thoughts on the experience of it all.

Pick 1The festivities ended on Sunday with a great big feud. Family Feud: Country Stars vs. Reality Stars that is. Contestants included Jeannie Seely, Ray Stevens, Craig Campbell, Darryl Worley, and Parmalee as they faced off against stars from shows like “Survivor” and “Big Brother.”

Watch the latest episode of “The Pickup” here.

About THE PICKUP  Launched in early 2015, The Pickup, a syndicated country video news series produced by The Hot Seat, highlights today’s stars and classic country artists making the news today. New episodes are posted are the 1st and 15th of each month. The Pickup, hosted and produced by Adam Wurtzel can be seen on the websites of over 190 broadcasters across the country (Nash Icon, Midwest Communications, Zimmer Communications, etc.), online media blogs, the U.K.’s SKY Television and Heartland Network.

countryPress Releasebellamy brothers,Celebrity Softball,craig campbell,Joe Diffie,Lee Greenwood,Neal McCoy,reba mcentire,Sylvia,the Pickup,tKristian Bush,Ty Herndon
Keeping up with the latest news in country music, “The Pickup” hosts its 3rd Annual CMA Fest Episode bringing you all things CMA Fest. Prior to the official Thursday kickoff for CMA Fest, the busy week was already underway at the Ryman.Darius Rucker hosted the 8th Annual Darius and...