Fan Fair, CountryFest Are History

06/24/1998 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Lisa Zhito

(6/24/98) - The International Country Music Fan Fair, Nashville's weeklong confab of fans and country stars, has concluded, but for the first time in years, the jury is still out regarding the event's relative success.

While previous Fan Fairs have sold out months in advance, this year event organizers the Country Music Association and the Grand Ole Opry declared a sellout of 24,000 just two weeks before its June 15 start date. Worse yet, some insiders are saying the event wasn't a sellout at all, noting walk-up tickets were still available throughout the week. Even scalpers reportedly had difficulty unloading tickets at half-price.

Everything from the closing of Opryland Theme Park to country music's lagging popularity has been cited for this year's tough sell. However, a few positive trends were also noted: traditionally a draw with the blue-hair set, this year's Fan Fair drew its youngest audience ever. Organizers attribute the younger demographic in part to decreased block sales to tour group operators.

Meanwhile, the future of Nashville's first CountryFest appears murky as well. The roving mega-concert/ television special landed in Nashville on Saturday to take advantage of the large number of superstar names already in town for Fan Fair. Performers included Neal McCoy, Reba McEntire, Wynonna, the Kinleys and Chris LeDoux, plus surprise special guests such as Alabama, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Leon Russell.

The post-Fan Fair bash included a seven-hour concert at the Nashville Arena, plus a downtown block party. The concert will be broadcast on CBS on August 5. While organizers finally declared the concert a sellout the day of the event, those in attendance said the arena had plenty of empty seats, even during headlining performances by Wynonna and McEntire. A highly-anticipated Judds reunion that was to take place during Wynonna's set was also a no-go, with mama Naomi canceling a day before the concert due to fatigue.

The block party was equally disappointing, with thin crowds noted throughout the afternoon and evening.

CountryFest producer Warner-Avalon and sponsor Fruit Of The Loom had originally touted Nashville as the permanent home for CountryFest. Now, however, that appears to be in jeopardy, with Fruit Of The Loom officials telling local press that there is "no guarantee" the event will be held in Nashville next year. Past CountryFests have been held in Dallas-Ft. Worth and Atlanta.

-- Lisa Zhito, Nashville