LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
Local country music performer Beth Marie Anderson has been selected to be one of the emerging artist exhibitors in one of the biggest fan festivals in the world happening in Nashville this June.
Anderson submitted, among thousands of others around the world, to exhibit and perform at the Country Music Association’s Fan Fair X, and was recently given the good news.
“For me it’s going to open a door into the music industry that I haven’t had access to and its also going to open up a door to a bunch of fans that I wouldn’t have had access to except if I was to try and go touring.”
Anderson had to prove her fanbase on Facebook and Twitter, give links to her website and iTunes and write a proposal, outlining what she will do to engage fans while at the event. She will bring her hand made earrings and flower pens, she will bring a portable camera for autographed photos, she’ll offer to make handmade picture frames and will also have all her merchandise available at the event. She’ll also do music trivia with prizes.
Anderson said she hopes people see all the effort she put into her items, and appreciate that she’s not just there with cheap merchandise from china trying to make a buck.
“I’m trying to put my heart into my brand so that when people come up to my booth they will see all these hand crafted things and know if they are my fan I will pay just as much attention to them as I do my music.”
The Fan Fair Festival will feature stars like Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood as well as hundreds of other performers on multiple music stages around the festival.
Thousands of fans attend the four day event that runs June 6 to 9 this year and which raises money for music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools and other programs through CMA's Keep the Music Playing Program.
For more information visit www.cmaworld.com.
Anderson will be having an Earring Party on Friday, selling some of her handmade products and giving an exclusive preview of her new album. The party will be at her home 1341 Lundine Lane in Qualicum Beach from 7 to 9 p.m.