News

‘Epic week’: Hockey, country music collide in Nashville

9 years ago in Sports

FILE -- In this June 5, 2017 file photo, people watch a pre-game concert as they wait to watch the broadcast of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Broadway in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators host Game 6 on Sunday evening at the same time that the annual CMA Music Festival holds its concert headlined by Keith Urban and Brad Paisley in nearby Nissan Stadium, the home of the Tennessee Titans. The honky-tonk lined blocks in between the two venues are expected to packed with even more fans, and city officials expect a total of 100,000 people to throng the downtown streets. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) Photo: Associated Press

ERIK SCHELZIG, Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music is always a big draw in Nashville, but the convergence of a major sports championship with one of the city’s biggest music events is reaching its crescendo this weekend in Tennessee’s capital city.

The Nashville Predators host Game 6 of the NHL Finals on Sunday evening at the same time that the annual CMA Music Festival holds its closing concert headlined by Keith Urban and Brad Paisley.

The honky-tonk lined blocks in between the two venues are expected to be packed with even more fans, and city officials expect 100,000 people to throng the downtown streets.

With enthusiasm for both country and hockey amping up to volumes never before seen in Nashville, the dividing line between the two has become all but indistinguishable.

Recent Headlines

16 hours ago in Sports, Trending

March Madness tournaments will expand to 76 teams each starting next season

The NCAA announced Thursday that it will expand its two March Madness tournaments by eight teams each next season, a long-expected move that will drop more games into the first week of the highly popular and lucrative showcase without substantially changing its overall form.

23 hours ago in Sports

Joel Embiid misses Game 2 and the 76ers miss their big man in the 4th quarter of their loss

The Philadelphia 76ers put up a good fight without Joel Embiid, though could have used their man in the middle when they struggled to score in the final minutes of Game 2 on Wednesday night.

23 hours ago in Sports

Wembanyama and Spurs rebound to hand Timberwolves largest postseason defeat, 133-95, to even series

Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs handed Minnesota its worst postseason loss in franchise history, beating the Timberwolves 133-95 on Wednesday night to even their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.

3 days ago in Sports

Knicks crush the 76ers 137-98 to start the second round and keep up a historic postseason roll

Jalen Brunson scored 27 of his 35 points in the first half and the New York Knicks emphatically added to a historic postseason roll by overwhelming the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 on Monday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

3 days ago in Sports

Lakers’ Doncic, Thunder’s Williams ruled out for Game 1 of West semifinals with hamstring injuries

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Jalen Williams have been ruled out of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Tuesday night with left hamstring injuries.