Sheryl Crow Opening Nashville’s Music City Center

Now that construction that began in January 2010 on Nashville’s $585 million convention center is nearly completed, it’s time to talk about the lineup for the grand opening celebration. Sheryl Crow is headlining the second of two days of festivities.

Music City Center, which includes 1.2 million square feet of public space, features the 6,000-capacity Grand Ballroom and a public art collection. Oh, and here’s an interesting tidbit – Sixth Avenue runs through the building. The convention center is environmentally friendly, outfitted with solar panels and a green roof, and on track to receive LEED Silver certification.

Photo: Andy Argyrakis / ConcertLivewire.com

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, Ill.

Following the last day of construction on Music City Center April 30, the venue will be equipped with furniture, fixtures and equipment in May.

You can check it out for yourself during the grand opening May 19-20, which includes a free open house for the community.

May 19’s itinerary includes live music throughout Music City Center and children’s activities in the exhibit hall. Mayor Karl Dean will give his annual State of Metro address the next morning and that night Sheryl Crow will headline a free outdoor show.

The roster also features Vince Gill’s The Time Jumpers, the Fisk Jubilee Singers and Mikky Ekko. The 6-9 p.m. outdoor show concludes with a fireworks display.

“I can’t think of a more fitting way to open the Music City Center than with a diverse lineup of great music representing the best of what Music City has to offer,” Dean said.