Christian and Gospel Music Makes a Deliberate Move Inside CMA Fest

The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music, Gaither Music and the Gospel Music Association partnered for a 2026 CMA Fest program combining live performances, artist interactions and museum access in downtown Nashville.

The placement matters. Gospel has always fed American country, soul and pop, but industry events often separate the markets after the music has already crossed the line. A visible presence at CMA Fest puts that relationship in front of the audience instead of leaving it in the liner notes.

A café concert and jam session with Jimmy Fortune, T. Graham Brown and Mike Rogers anchored the program, with a livestream extending the event beyond Nashville.