Although soon-to-be daddy Keith Urban easily played for a crowd of 50,000 at the CMA Music Festival, he happily performed for a group of only 50 right afterwards.

The private show on June 7 was dubbed a "backyard barbeque." Fifty lucky contest winners were treated to an intimate show and meet-and-greet with the country superstar. Urban signed autographs, posed for photos and then performed a 45-minute set for his small audience.

"Meeting the contest winners today was great, because most of them came to a show we played last night," Urban told PEOPLE magazine. "There seems to be more sort of energy when people have just seen you play, and we all get to meet each other. . . That's the perfect crowd to play to."

The annual love fest between country artists and their fans wound to a close Sunday night, as this year's CMA Music Festival concluded with a star-studded show. Randy Travis, James Otto, Bucky Covington, Sara Evans, Billy Ray Cyrus, Phil Stacey, Chuck Wicks and Dwight Yoakam were among the performers at Nashville's LP Field.

The evening's highlights were many. Randy Travis held the crowd in the palm of his hand, serving up songs from his new album, as well as old favorites like 'DIggin' Up Bones,' 'Deeper Than the Holler,' 'Three Wooden Crosses' and 'Forever and Ever Amen.'

Wicks got the evening off to a great start with his current single 'All I Ever Wanted,' before introducing his breakthrough hit, 'Stealing Cinderella.' "I wrote this song two years ago and it has changed my life," said Wicks, as he thanked fans for calling radio stations to request it. He then pointed to the top of the stadium and told the crowd that last year, he was seated way up there. "Thanks for bringing me down here!" he said, before launching into his third number, 'She's Gonna Hurt Somebody.'

It seemed like Boys Night Out at the CMA Music Festival Saturday night, as Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, Craig Morgan, Rodney Atkins and Kenny Rogers were among the performers on the male-dominated line up at Nashville's LP Field.

Craig Morgan delivered a rousing set that got the crowd pumped up early in the evening, as he sang such audience favorites as 'International Havester' and 'Little Bit of Life.' Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman beautifully represented the fairer sex during the extravaganza, taking the stage with fellow LBT members Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet to preview their upcoming single, 'Fine Line.' The foursome also served up a blast from the past when they performed the Fleetwood Mac classic 'Go Your Own Way.' Jamey Johnson, Jason Michael Carroll and Darryl Worley shared special acoustic performances during the evening. Worley provided one of the night's emotional highlights with a riveting performance of his 9/11 inspired song, 'Have You Forgotten?'

Dwight Yoakam will take the stage at Nashville's LP Field Sunday night for his first CMA Music Festival performance in 20 years. So what's kept him away from the annual event for so long? He says it's because he hasn't been asked! But, the legendary crooner received a wholehearted invitation this year, directly from the CEO of the Country Music Association, Tammy Genovese.

Faith Hill is also making a Music Fest homecoming after a long absence. When the 'Mississippi Girl' performs at Friday night's big concert, it will be her first festival appearance in ten years. Hill blames her hectic schedule for preventing her from making it to the event over the past decade.

The 2008 CMA Music Festival runs through Sunday. Last year's attendance broke records, as more than 119,000 people descended upon Nashville for the four days of concerts, autograph signings, fan club parties and more.

"No other genre of music has a party like this," proclaimed Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, the surprise performers during Thursday night's CMA Music Festival show at Nashville's LP Field. "This is our way of saying 'thank you.' Without you, we wouldn't have jobs."

The Flatts boys weren't alone in thanking fans for their support during the first of four big stadium shows at the annual fan-friendly event. "You are the reason I get to sing on this stage tonight and I love you so much for that," gushed Taylor Swift, who rocked her biggest hits in the steamy Music City heat.

'American Idol' alum Phil Stacey helped get the show underway by delivering an impressive performance of the National Anthem, which was followed by four jets roaring over the stadium. Fellow newcomers Luke Bryan and Jennifer Hanson both delivered special acoustic sets. Hanson was accompanied by her husband, hit songwriter Mark Nesler. She introduced a brand-new song, 'Love Will Find a Way Around,' and also played the Wreckers' big hit, 'Leave the Pieces,' which she co-wrote.

Country music's biggest party has begun in Nashville. Check out photos from the 2008 CMA Music Festival concerts, autograph booths, exhibits and much more.

Marty Stuart brought together a few eclectic friends Wednesday night for his annual Late Night Jam. The famed singer-songwriter and his band, the Fabulous Superlatives, set the stage for the four-hour show by opening with 'Hey Bo Diddley,' in tribute to the rock icon who passed away on Monday. Stuart re-wrote a few lines of the song to fit the occasion – "here we are at the late night jam/and the Grand Ole Opry/with my friends in Nashville, Tennessee " -- much to the delight of the sold-out crowd at the Ryman Auditorium.

Calling the Ryman "ground zero" for country music, Marty welcomed a cross-section of musicians and singers to the stage. Charlie Daniels brought the house down with 'The Devil Went Down To Georgia' and 'The South's Gonna Do It Again,' receiving several standing ovations throughout his set. Daniels was joined by Stuart onstage for a jam session of 'Long Haired Country Boy.'

The CMA Music Festival has officially begun in Nashville. Each year, thousands of country music fans descend on Music City for the "largest country music party in the world," which boasts more than 100 hours of concerts, 30 hours of celebrity autograph signings, interactive exhibits, fan club gatherings and much more.

Jo Dee Messina and Phil Vassar are kicking off the four days of nonstop concerts with a show on the banks of the Cumberland River Thursday morning. More than 100 artists are expected to perform on the river's floating stage over the next four days. The nightly shows at the Tennessee Titans' LP field include performances by Sugarland, Josh Turner, Taylor Swift, Jewel, Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Trace Adkins, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Sara Evans, Billy Ray Cyrus and many more.

For a full schedule of events, visit the CMA Music Festival's official site: http://www.cmafest.com/2008.

Faith Hill is set to perform at the annual CMA Music Festival for the first time in ten years. The blond beauty is a recent addition to the star-studded lineup, along with Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson and Sugarland. Previously announced performers include Taylor Swift, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner, Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler, Lady Antebellum and Dwight Yoakam, who will make his first Music Fest appearance in 20 years.

The CMA Music Festival is an annual, four-day event in Nashville with daily and nightly concerts. Fans also get to meet their favorite stars up close and personal, as many artists have autograph booths.

This year's CMA Music Festival takes place June 5 - June 8. For more information, visit the official website.