As the events at the Chevy Sports Zone and the Dr. Pepper Fun Zone began to draw to a close, festival attendees were left with only a limited number of options leading up to the final lineup at the Vault Concert State at L.P. Field. Some migrated back to the Fan Fair Hall to catch a glimpse of the final few stars and celebrities signing, which include artists Jimmy Wayne and Danielle Peck, as well as CMT TV personalities and hosts Lance Smith and Katie Cook. Others took in the daytime stage performances at the Hard Rock Café by Gloriana, Two Timers, Brother Trouble, and Brittini Black, as well as the final string of performers at the Acoustic Corner at the Convention Center, which featured Todd O'Neill, Cash Creek, and Miko Marks.

Chuck Wicks kicked off the final evening at L.P. Field with a less than motivating set. Other than his current smash single, “Stealing Cinderella,” as well as his devastating good looks making the college-aged female part of the audience swoon, his set was less than ordinary, and was forgotten soon after he left the stage. The Music Mafia’s newest member, James Otto woke the drowsy crowd up instantaneously as he sprinted onto the stage and screamed into the microphone, “Welcome to the Otto Show Nashville!”, before breaking into “Ain’t Gonna Stop,” the first track off his sophomore album, ‘Sunset Man.’ His live rendition of his #1 hit “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” was slightly more upbeat, taking the intended mood of the song to the backburner, but nonetheless was the highlight of his 20 minute set.

Following less than stellar sets by American Idol finalist Bucky Covington and country music legend Randy Travis, 2006 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Sara Evans took the stage to an overwhelming ovation, the loudest and most intense of the entire evening. Evans’ incredibly uplifting set included astonishingly brilliant performances of her greatest hits, including “Suds in the Bucket,” “Born to Fly,” “As If,” and “Real Fine Place.” Before singing her latest single off her ‘Greatest Hits’ album, “Love You With All My Heart," Sara introduced her fiancée (now husband as of June 14) to the audience. The former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker was greeted by a slew of boos from the Tennessee crowd, but soon they deflated as his platinum selling beauty girlfriend broke into her latest hit, mesmerizing the audience with her relentless vocal range.

The final two performances of the evening, and of the 2008 CMA Music Festival, drew less than impressive audience reactions.  Billy Ray Cyrus, while an advocate performer, simply didn’t have the music to support his late position on the lineup.  The 25,000 plus who had stayed in the stadium seem disinterested in his performance, and Billy was only able to bring them to their feet during his lone smash single, “Achy Breaky Heart.”  Unfortunately for Cyrus, the loudest ovation he received was in reaction to remarks such as, “So I’m on this TV Show.  Has anyone ever heard of Hannah Montana?”  Following an extensive set that seemed much longer than it actually was, Cyrus strutted off the stage, finally dismissing rumors that had been swirling all week about a surprise duet between him and his daughter, Miley.  

As for Dwight Yoakam, the festival’s closing act, it seems as though the genre has simply passed by him.  While his live versions of “I Sang Dixie,” “A Thousand Miles From Nowhere,” and “Fast As You” were good, they just didn’t have the same appeal as the other artists of the weekend.  While it was a true honor witnessing a country star who has been a vital part of the industry for decades, it appeared to be the feeling by the majority of the remaining fans that the 2008 edition of the CMA Music Festival should probably be the last for Dwight Yoakam. 

The CMA Music Festival hit an all-time high attendance record in 2008 with a 9.4 percent increase over 2007 during the four-day Festival, Thursday through Sunday, in Downtown Nashville.  With the fastest-selling first day of ticket sales, it seems the Fan Fair Festival’s popularity is at an all time high.  The folks at CMA treated the tens of thousands of fans who traveled from all areas of the world to a once in a lifetime experience; that is, until next year’s festival.  As the last sunburned, heat exhausted attendee exited L.P. Field, it was obvious that the CMA had once again done its job in 2008:  providing music’s greatest fans with the greatest 4 day party imaginable, full with incredible performances, constant artist-fan interaction, and access to country music’s most talented up-and-coming musicians.  Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland said it best just hours before taking the Vault Stage:  “In what other genre would it be possible to have an event like this?  This is all about giving back to the greatest fans in the world.  Country’s the best!”