Jessica Simpson makes a surprise appearance at the Nightly Concert on the Vault Concert Stage LP Field Thursday, June 5 in Downtown Nashville during the 2008 CMA Music Festival. Photographer: John Russell / CMA
Aug. 19, 2008 — Jessica Simpson hit the Top 20 with her first country single, "Come On Over," and now it’s getting even more exposure as a musical invitation to TV viewers in ABC’s on-air promotions for the special "CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock."
It’s a great tie-in for both the CMA and Jessica. The song’s title — particularly as it’s attached to the former pop singer — practically begs fans of other genres to sample country music. And the special, slated for Sept. 8, airs the night before Jessica’s first country album, Do You Know, is officially released.
"I’ve gone back to my roots and come on over to country music," Jessica says. "I just couldn’t be more thrilled for ‘Come On Over’ to be a part of this amazing night of country music."
Jessica won't be part of the special, but she did attend the CMA Fest, signing autographs one day and chatting briefly on the big stage at Nashville’s LP Field with GAC’s Storme Warren.
"I hope to be here next year," she told Storme, when asked if she might play the festival in 2009, "and the year after that, and the year after that, and the year after that."
"CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock" will be hosted by Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler and Julianne Hough, with performances by Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam, Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Keith Urban and Faith Hill, among others.