Ronnie Dunn Fans Show What CMA Music Festival Is All About

Margie Pate uses the music of Ronnie Dunn to help survive an abusive relationship. Pamela Atkins turned to music to help her cope with the death of his teenage son. Shirley Wilson was so committed to see Dunn concert that risked further damage to his surgically reconstructed forearm.



For an overview of why the CMA Music Festival is able to draw fans from all states and at least two dozen foreign countries, look no further than a couple of clubs Ronnie Dunn fans.

Dunn fans feel connected to their music in ways that extend beyond the letter of the song, just melodies and guitar riffs. Think about the passion of a European football fan combined with the devotion of a "Game of Thrones” and viewer loyalty vaguely audible Chicago Cubs, all in one.




Two clubs fans of Ronnie Dunn Facebook , The Posse and Dunn Team, have joined forces this week to organize a series of events in Nashville to honor his favorite country singer . There will be a party Thursday at Rippy of, plus a search of treasure, a balloon release, a video shoot and a picnic fan, highlighted by a replica cake artisan guitar Dunn. And all this despite the fact Dunn will not be able to attend because he is on a two week trip to Africa.

It's that kind of fervor and special connection between artists and fans driving to Nashville more than 80,000 each year for CMA Fest, a festival of four days long with 11 stages and hundreds of musical acts in the country. Pate, who founded the fan club on Facebook The Posse said this week festivities are to thank for Dunn concert surprise “ambush " played for their fans at the festival last year. The timing also coincides with the birthday of Dunn, who was last week.

"I hope to accomplish many things all at the same time," said Pate. " ( We hope ) to people who do not know they can come together for the same goal , which is to honor Ronnie and real country music, and expose the reality that fans of an artist and fans are the most important product and more reliable an artist has . "

Pate, who lives in Clarksville, said Dunn’s music was the soundtrack as she got herself out of a physically abusive relationship. That's why he started The Posse fan page, to "pay”.

"He saved me," said Pate. “That’s why I do what I do. It's the least I can do, because if not for him, I cannot even be alive today. The odds were not in my favor. I'm not a victim of abuse, but a survivor with a way to help Ronnie everything I can. "

Special connection

other members of the fan club Dunn shared similar stories about their intimate connection with their music. Son Pamela Atkins ‘, Travis was a senior in high school, when he died in a vehicle accident four wheels. She said Dunn’s song "Believe" brought his assurance that heaven is real.

"All these things led me to a thorough search of what happens when you die on earth, so the next step is," Atkins said. “And as Ronnie Dunn sings, 'No ends in a slow ride in a hearse.”

Shirley Wilson said Dunn music pulled her through a difficult divorce. When Brooks & Dunn had a show in 2010, she promised to attend even though he had just had reconstructive surgery of the forearm at the age of 63. She attended the show, despite aggravating the injury.

"Two weeks later, I had to have another surgery on the arm (because) the bone was dead," Wilson said. “They replaced with a bone from a cadaver. Tried to use too much blame at the concert, but I'd do it all again. "