NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It's the week country music fans everywhere have been waiting for. About 53,000 people are expected each day in downtown Nashville during the run of the 2009 CMA Music Festival.

The annual event starts Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Several stages are set up for concerts and autograph sessions for fans in downtown, affecting traffic.

The highly anticipated Bonnaroo festival will also be held this weekend.

Thousands of music lovers will head to Manchester in Coffee County on Thursday.

Festival officials said this year's event looks to be bigger than ever. Ticket sales are already ahead of last year.

Bruce Springsteen, the Beastie Boys, Phish and Nine Inch Nails are just a few of the stars expected to take the stage.

Related Links:

2009 CMA Music Festival

2009 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

MTA Detour Schedule For CMA Fest (pdf)