Mindy McCready kicks off CMA Festival

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Mindy McCready kicks off CMA Festival

Mindy McCready, linked in April to a decade-long relationship with baseball great Roger Clemens, kicked off the CMA Festival in Nashville on Thursday. McCready is one of dozens of country music stars expected for the four-day festival, formerly known as Fan Fair.

Mindy McCready perfoms Thursday at the opening of the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn. The troubled country star made headlines again in April when baseball pitching star Roger Clemens admitted to a decade-long relationship with her but denied it was an affair.

Carrie Underwood bows to the fans after her performance at the CMA Music Festival. The former 'American Idol' winner has evolved into an award-winning country music star.

Lady Antebellum performs at the CMA Music Festival. The group features Augusta pals Charles Kelley, left, and Dave Heywood, who teamed up with Hillary Scott.

Newnan native Alan Jackson, right, and his wife, Denise Jackson, prepare to sign autographs at the Alan Jackson booth in the Nashville Convention Center, during the CMA Music Festival. Alan Jackson has a new album out, and Denise Jackson, a new book. The couple recently returned to Newnan for an autograph session.

Author Denise Jackson and her country star husband Alan Jackson sign books and photos at the CMA Music Festival, which brought together country music stars and teir fans in Nashville, Tenn.

Jennifer Nettles of Surgarland rides atop the crowd in a human snow globe to open her group's show Thursday at the CMA Music Festival.

Country artists Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Surgarland perform their hit "Stay".

Artists Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Surgarland give a rousing performance.

Mindy McCready has been in the studio recently making an album she hopes will strengthen her comeback. Since August 2004, McCready has been arrested on drug and drunken driving charges, jailed for a probation violation and nearly beaten to death by a former boyfriend.

Country music fans watch artist Mindy McCready at the CMA Music Festival. The event formerly known as 'Fan Fair' helps fans get up close and personal with country music stars.

Rising country music star Miranda Lambert performs at the CMA Music Festival. She appeared recently at Lakewood Amphitheatre with Dierks Bentley.

Among other performers on opening day of the CMA Music Festival was rising country star Taylor Swift, who beat her own drums during one number.

Award-winning country artist and former 'American Idol' contestant Kellie Pickler also performed at the CMA Music Festival on Thursday. Pickler performed last month at Etowah High School in Cherokee County, whose students won a Kicks 101.5 text-messaging contest.

Jewel was another prominent artist taking the stage Thursday at the CMA Music Festival, sponsored by the Country Music Association. Earlier in the day, she received a plaque commemorating 18 million in U.S. record sales from the Recording Industry Association of America.

Jewel signs autographs for fans at the CMA Music Festival.

Nancy Fussell of Jacksonville, Fla., gets her photo taken with country music star Randy Travis.

Country artists Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry perform at the CMA Music Festival. The duo will be at Lakewood Amphitheatre in September.

Country artist Richie McDonald, left, poses with Brandi Ackoury of Baton Rouge, La., after he signed her guitar at the CMA Music Festival.

Country music artist James Otto, center, signs autographs for fans Kristen Schroeder, left, Krystin Elsass, Samanta Ruby, all of Dearfield Beach, Fla., and Ashley Ledbetter, right, of Pomano Beach Fla.

Kix Brooks, left, of the country music duo Brooks & Dunn, is suprised with a kiss from fan Molly Bachtel, right, of Mansfield, Ohio, as he signs a book for her at the Borders booth at the CMA Music Festival. In the background is Bachtel's granddaughter Lindsay McCoy.

Country artist Tracy Byrd, left, smiles with Robert Tyree, 12, of Chicago, as he met with fans a the CMA Music Festival.

Artist Phil Stacey of 'Amerian Idol' fame performs for the fans at CMA Music Festival,

Joe Don Rooney, the guitarist for Rascal Flatts performs.

Gary LeVox, lead singer of Rascal Flatts, belts out a tune.

Country artist Phil Stacey sings the National Anthem at the CMA Music Festival Thursday in Nashville, Tenn.

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Mindy McCready perfoms Thursday at the opening of the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn. The troubled country star made headlines again in April when baseball pitching star Roger Clemens admitted to a decade-long relationship with her but denied it was an affair.

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