You'll catch plenty of contemporary country music when the CMA Music Festival kicks off Thursday. And you'll hear some too, at Marty Stuart's sixth annual Late Night Jam tonight, since contemporary country big-dog John Rich is on the bill, as is deep-voiced country crooner Eric Church and pretty young thing Ashley Monroe.

But veteran performer Stuart's kept as much of a focus on breadth with these Late Night Ryman Jams as he has with his own career, so you'll hear a lot more than standard contemporary country.

"Musically, I want this to be more than the 'product' we get whacked over the head with for the rest of the week," Stuart told The Tennessean last year about the annual Jam.

And it is, certainly. Among the crop of folks joining Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives are Country Music Hall of Famers Porter Wagoner and Charley Pride, established country voice Pam Tillis and country guy John Stone. Mekons/Waco Brothers man Jon Langford will be on-hand with exceptional local Americana singer Paul Burch and his band The WPA Ballclub too, and rounding out the bill is gifted singer Neko Case, whose gorgeous torrent of a voice, coupled with the venue's gorgeous natural reverb, certainly threatens to be a highlight.

By Nicole Keiper