CMA Best of Fest airs Monday on Ch. 9: What you need to know about country music’s biggest stars

On Monday, we can all be a little bit country.

CMA’s Best of Fest kicks off at 8 p.m. Monday on Channel 9, bringing with it a who’s-who of country icons to bring three hours of music and fun.

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The show will be hosted by Luke Bryan. Ahead of the big show, here are 9 things you may not have known about country music, and some of its biggest stars.

1. The show wouldn’t be possible without Jimmie Rodgers, who is known as the “Father of Country Music.” He is credited for selling the first million-selling single titled “Blue Yodel #1.” His catalog of songs that were recorded between 1927 and 1933 helped establish him as the first major voice in country music.

2. Did you know that host Luke Bryan has a tattoo of his wife’s name? It’s actually on his butt.

3. Trace Adkins, one of the stars of the show, has quite the resume. He won “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2013.

4. Lady A will perform. They previously changed their name from Lady Antebellum after some backlash.

Read: Lady A, band, sues Lady A singer over name use

5. Musician Garth Brooks’ music is out of this world -- literally. Space shuttle mission specialist Col. Bill McArthur brought along a copy of his album “The Hits” when he traveled 3.4 million miles aboard the Russian Mir space station in orbit back in 1995.

6. She may be the Queen of Rock, but Joan Jett is among the lineup of performers for this country music fest.

7. Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X will both perform. Will they reunite to sing their hit “Old Town Road?”

8. The band Rascal Flatts actually didn’t name themselves; it came from a friend who had a band of the same name back in the ’60s.

9. The show will feature special appearances by Bobby Bones, Jim Gaffigan, Kirk Herbstreit, Payton Manning, Lionel Richie, Rob Riggle, Gwen Stefani, Michael Strahan and Rita Wilson.

Watch CMA’s Best of Fest Monday at 8 p.m. on Ch. 9

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