A Story Written About CMA Fest

By Kinsey Haynes

At CMA Fest, it is not all about the bands at who play LP Field.

There are bands that play the smaller stages too, and they play a big role in getting these big names to their final destination.

Everyone knows Florida-Georgia Line's "Cruise", The Band Perry's "Done", and Lady Antebellum's "Better Off Now That You're Gone." All of these bands played over the course of four days at LP Field, but what about those who played throughout downtown in the day?

What do Chase Rice, John & Jacob, and Will Hoge all have in common? They all have written songs for these main stage artists.

Asheville, North Carolina singer, Chase Rice played the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage at 1:30 on Friday. Rice is best known for writing Florida-Georgia Line's No. 1 single "Cruise" which has gone platinum six times over in just the U.S. However, his place on the main stage remains to be seen. "Cruise" is currently the best selling Country song of all time and it was written by someone who played a smaller stage.

Birmingham, Alabama duo, John & Jacob, played the CMA Close-Up stage on Sunday at 1:45. They first made a name for themselves by co-writing The Band Perry's hit single "Done".

"We went to Europe with them," said John. "We had such a good time that Neil and Reed [Perry] asked if we wanted to write with them. That was the first song that we wrote."

"When Kimberly [Perry] got a hold of it, she just killed it," said Jacob. "We are thankful that they did it. It's very surreal."

"Done" has been certified gold in the U.S. and has been No. 1 on numerous country charts in the last year.

In 2013, Nashville native, Will Hoge received a phone call from Lady Antebellum with an interesting request: to ask if they could use of his song, "Better Off Now That You're Gone" for their then upcoming album, Golden.

At the Bud Light stage on Friday, Will stated, “This next song is one of mine that I recorded and was picked up by a band you may have heard of called Lady Antebellum." The song is on Hoge's 2003 release Blackbird on a Lonely Wire.

"We called him up and asked if we could do the song. He was more than happy to let us do it," said Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum. "We love Will and he is extremely talented."

Hillary Scott, singer for Lady Antebellum had a similar response when asked about Hoge.

"I love Will and his music," Scott said. "I love the way the song turned out and I love his version as well. I expect big things from him."

Maybe one day these three "small stage" acts will gain their rightful recognition and have their LP Field moment.