Latest news with #CMAFest
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2 days ago
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Jason Aldean and Travis Tritt bring 'It's A Great Day To Be Alive' to CMA Fest 2025 ABC special
For the past year, Georgia-native country hitmaker Jason Aldean has chased cementing his status as a 30-time chart-topping performer. He arrived at CMA Fest to celebrate his latest hit "Whiskey Drink," achieving that success. As well, he metaphorically tipped his ever-present cowboy hat to one of his childhood musical heroes, the Grand Ole Opry member and "Class of '89" favorite Travis Tritt. The two country singers performed a rendition of "It's A Great Day To Be Alive" at CMA Fest 2025 in Nashville on June 5, the festival's opening night. The performance will be part of the ABC CMA Fest TV special on June 26. 'This next song's not one of mine, but it's by one of my musical heroes growing up in Georgia,' Aldean said before the performance. 'This guy was from Georgia, and 25 years ago, he had a hit song… so we're going to play this one for you.' CMA Fest 2025 on ABC: How to watch, stream special hosted by Ashley McBryde and Cody Johnson Aldean began singing Tritt's 2000 hit, belting out: "I got rice cooking in the microwave / Got a three day beard I don't plan to shave / And it's a goofy thing but I just gotta say, hey / I'ma doing alright." Mid-way through the song, Aldean invited Tritt to join him onstage. As the duo strummed guitars, they sang the tune's feel-good chorus alongside lively fiddle. "And it's a great day to be alive / I know the sun's still shining / When I close my eyes." The song originally appeared on Darrell Scott's record "Aloha from Nashville" in 1997, which Scott wrote after recovering from a back injury. When Scott was finally able to care for himself again after being bedridden for a week, the tune of gratitude poured out of him. Tritt released his version of the track on his album "Down the Road I Go," with the single reaching number two on Billboard's Hot Country Chart. Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@ Marcus K. Dowling is The Tennessean's Nashville Country Music Reporter. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest 2025: Jason Aldean brings out Travis Tritt to cover 2000 hit
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2 days ago
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CMA Fest raises $2.5 million for music education
Before eager country music fans packed the Riverfront Stage and the big stage at Nissan Stadium lit up for the opening night of the CMA Fest, a local high school marching band turned heads in downtown Nashville. The Ravenwood High School marching band, known as The Rhythmic Ravens, lined up outside Music City Center before marching into the Fan Fair X space on June 5. Police vehicles moved out of the way to clear the view. Friends, family and perfect strangers gathered to watch as the band played. And Tiffany Kerns, the executive director of the CMA Foundation, said she got teary-eyed as she watched it all unfold. "I just can't help but have a sense of pride for them," Kerns said. "Everyone's proud. Everyone has their phones out. Everyone's taking video. It's like, 'Oh, we're all parents right now.'" This year, the festival brought in $2.5 million that will help power music education for kids like the Rhythmic Ravens in Tennessee and nationwide, Kerns said. A lesser-known fact about the annual CMA Fest is that artists donate their time to the festival and ticket proceeds go to the CMA Foundation. The nonprofit arm of the County Music Association was established in 2011 to partner with schools and music educators, provide grants and build equity in music education programs. Ticket sales aren't the only thing that benefit the foundation during CMA Fest, Kerns said. Some artists sell merchandise that also goes toward the cause. Country music star Carly Pearce took a step further by cleaning out her closet and selling her clothes during a special "Carly's Closet" pop-up on Saturday. Eager fans lined up to get some swag and catch a performance by the "Hummingbird" singer. Organizers said the event brought in $25,000 this year, making it the largest one to date. The Rhythmic Ravens were the first of several performances that featured students during this year's festival, which drew tens of thousands to Nashville. Other students on the lineup included New Orleans musicians from nonprofit Roots of Music, the Riverdale High School marching band, the Stratford High School marching band, Nashville School of the Arts student and songwriter Kingston Kharif, a rock band from Percy Priest Elementary and others. Opinion: My music students will play at CMA Fest. More kids need this opportunity Kerns hopes the experience the kids have at CMA Fest sticks with them for years to come. "Seeing the way that it brings joy to young people is a real gift," Kerns said. Learn more about the CMA Foundation and its work at This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest 2025: $2.5 million raised for music education
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2 days ago
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Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Zach Top among Sunday's unforgettable moments at CMA Fest
Bailey Zimmerman's heart-on-his-sleeve passion. Luke Bryan's earnest, aw-shucks appeal. Dierks Bentley and Ashley McBryde showcasing stellar song catalogues and band leadership. With all of this and a lot more along the way Sunday evening, the 52nd CMA Fest closed its 2025 edition with a slate of established and rising country artists shining brightly as ever. Some say country music is about faith, family and fun. For others, the genre boils down to three chords and the truth. But it's the power in how superstars deliver those values that has kept the genre's fans coming back to Music City's Nissan Stadium year after year. And yes, even multi-platinum-selling rapper BigXThaPlug joined the festivities for his Zimmerman duet "All The Way," showing that when it hits just right, country music's appeal is stunningly broad and undeniable. Here are the night's most memorable moments: Co-signs from Alan Jackson and Dierks Bentley are among the reasons why Zach Top's 2024-released debut album "Cold Beer and Country Music" emerged as one of last year's must-listen smashes. His Sunday evening set at the 52nd CMA Fest ushered in the next chapter of showcasing his uncanny ability to blend top-tier musicianship with deceptively simple songwriting into a hit-making blend. Top's performance of "Sounds Like The Radio" swept the crowd into an almost immediate two-stepping frenzy. More than ever, his sound feels comfortably flexible in filling floors on dancehall nights, appealing to a crowd at the Ryman Auditorium, or in any of the larger arenas, amphitheaters, or stadiums that have dotted his tour schedule for the past few years. Songs like "Bad Luck," recent radio chart-topper "I Never Lie" and cheating anthem "Use Me" showcase the emotional range of his work. The latter's use of the pedal steel guitar adds an appreciable whiskey-woozy vibe to the waltz-time tempo. Top also debuted his self-described "hopefully next great summer country anthem," 'Good Times & Tan Lines' during the set. Time will tell if his assertion is correct, but the fawning approval of 50,000 country fans to its honky-tonk twang on a perfect Nashville Sunday night feels like it's off to a great start. Back-to-back years' CMA Fest co-host Ashley McBryde brought her swagger to the Nissan Stadium stage. As expected, the tattooed and leather pant-clad rocker performed a rousing blend of rootsy and authentically heartfelt sounds. The CMA award winner's scintillating "Rattlesnake Preacher" kicked off her set, followed by "Made For This," the 2023 ode to her hard-touring lifestyle and "Devil I Know" album track. McBryde performing a cover of Don Henley's "Boys of Summer" was unexpected. But the performer and her band are skilled in whipping up excitable crowd, even when it means defying genre expectations. Her rendition was a sing-along moment. There's something about songs like "Ain't Enough Water In The River" and "One Night Standards" that makes them feel like well-worn A-sides and B-sides of long-treasured records. "The thing I love about country music is that sad songs keep us happy and cheating songs keep us faithful," McBryde said before playing the "cheating song" "Tired Of Being Happy." McBryde closed her set by welcoming the New Orleans Roots of Music band to the stage. The group that promotes the Crescent City's musical heritage through music education and mentorship received a round of applause. Twenty-one year-old Avery Anna achieved her biggest dreams of country stardom via her performance on CMA Fest's platform stage in the center of the crowd at Nissan Stadium. Briefly overwhelmed by the opportunity, she played a vulnerable rendition of "Indigo," her grief-stricken duet with Sam Barber, which currently rising through the ranks of the country radio charts. She stopped at the end of her chorus, eyes welling with tears. 'I can't sing the last line,' she said, smiling. Another underground-to-mainstream success story, Big Loud-signed Alabama native Kashus Culpepper performed "After Me?" and "Pour Me Out," two of his growing collection of earnestly sung and well-regarded material, on Nissan Stadium's platform stage. "Blows my mind," the blues, folk, gospel and soul-rooted rising star offered to an impressed crowd. Dierks Bentley, the "Burning Man" himself, brought the crowd to their feet the second the first guitar strum lit the stage afire. "This is the greatest weekend of our lives, we call it the 'Country Music singers' Thanksgiving,'" Bentley told the crowd. Audience cutaways showed fans swaying their hands and lip syncing, "I've been gone, I've been gone, I've been sittin' on the couch watching TV all day long." Bentley's gravel-edge rasp flowed like a smooth river. He injected energy into Nissan Stadium his toe-tapping singles, "Burnin' Man," "Gone" and "Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)." Bentley is set to release his album, "Broken Branches," on June 13. He offered a taste with his final song, "She Hates Me." "This is the all-star fans, the greatest of the greats," Bentley bragged to the audience of country music's No. 1 fans. "Such an honor to be here." The father of three brought Zach Top back to the stage for a hip-swaying, knee-slapping rendition of Alabama's classic "Mountain Music." Before letting Top go, Bentley put his arm around the 27-year-old in a fatherly way, "Let me tell you something about this guy… This is the future of country music right here, Zach Top. Now get your ass out of here." Bentley jumped into "What Was I Thinking?" and then took a literal meaning to the song title, telling the crowd that it was his last song and walking off. Before he escaped the spotlight, he paused and counted his fingers. He then had an "aha moment," turned around and said he had one more song, his mega hit, "Drunk on a Plane." Luke Bryan, 30 No. 1 hits (and counting), closed CMA Fest with a set primarily comprised of instantly recognizable country radio anthems, including his most recent "Mind of A Country Boy" album hit, "Love You, Miss You, Mean It." Appropriately, the "American Idol" co-host opened with "I Don't Want This Night to End" and "Kick The Dust Up," a pair of still-beloved, decade-old hits. Strapping on an electric guitar and leading his band headlong into "What Makes You Country," Bryan flashed a youthful smile. The opportunity to close CMA Fest motivated Bryan to push his vocal and instrumental abilities to the limit. Did that include sitting at a piano to perform the crowd favorite power ballad "Strip It Down?" It sure did. Before a still eager Sunday evening crowd, his hip-shimmying cheekiness showcased during "Knockin' Boots" and "That's My Kind of Night" and the most commonplace of rural ideals, say, like, "hunting, fishing and loving every day," translated to ear-warming choruses. As the night wore into Monday morning, Bryan unleashed "Country Girl Shake It For Me," arguably his career-defining hit. The type of frenzy the banjo-driven down-home rocker whips fans into hit a new level as CMA Fest closed. During the celebration, a Nissan Stadium security guard and "Rodney," a Resistol hat and American flag overall-clad fan, were invited onstage to dance alongside the country superstar. "We love you Nashville," offered Bryan as his band played into the night. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest: Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Zach Top among the best moments
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2 days ago
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How long has CMA Fest been going on? When festival takes place and what to know for 2026
Country Music Association's "CMA Fest presented by SoFi" is set to air on the night of June 26 for those who weren't able to make it, or see their favorite musician, earlier in June. The televised event brings some of the top performances from CMA Fest 2025 to the comfort of your living room and the distinct lack of crowds that descend upon Music City each year — an estimated 95,000 fans in 2025. People will get a chance to see performances from top artists including Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Riley Green, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Darius Rucker, Shaboozey, Blake Shelton, Zach Top, Lainey Wilson and many more. Here's a closer look at the special and CMA Fest 2025. CMA Fest is held in the heart of Nashville in Tennessee. Each year, country music's best and the up and up-and-coming musicians take to stages across downtown for multiple days of performances. CMA Fest 2025 marked the 52nd year for the country music festival. The 2025 festival already occurred on June 5-8. Typically, the four-day festival occurs the first full weekend in June. You can watch some of the top performances of 2025 on ABC at 7 p.m. CT. It's also available the next day on Hulu. Here's who's performing and what they will be singing: Trace Adkins – 'Honky Tonk Badonkadonk' Jason Aldean – 'Whiskey Drink' Jason Aldean and Travis Tritt – 'It's A Great Day To Be Alive' Kelsea Ballerini – 'Baggage' Dierks Bentley – 'She Hates Me' Dierks Bentley and Zach Top – 'Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)' and 'Mountain Music' Medley Brooks & Dunn and Lainey Wilson – 'Play Something Country' Brooks & Dunn and Marcus King – 'Rock My World (Little Country Girl)' Luke Bryan – 'Country Song Came On' Jordan Davis – 'Bar None' Riley Green – 'Worst Way' Cody Johnson – 'The Fall' Cody Johnson and Carín León – 'She Hurts Like Tequila' Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll – 'Hard Fought Hallelujah' Ella Langley – 'weren't for the wind' Ashley McBryde – 'Rattlesnake Preacher' Parker McCollum – 'What Kinda Man' Scotty McCreery – 'Five More Minutes' Megan Moroney – 'Am I Okay?' Rascal Flatts – 'Life Is A Highway' Rascal Flatts and Carly Pearce – 'My Wish' The Red Clay Strays – 'No One Else Like Me' Darius Rucker – 'Wagon Wheel' Dylan Scott – 'Country Till I Die' Shaboozey and Jelly Roll – 'Amen' Blake Shelton – 'Stay Country or Die Tryin'' Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins – 'Hillbilly Bone' Zach Top – 'I Never Lie' Keith Urban – 'Straight Line' Bailey Zimmerman and BigXthaPlug – 'All The Way' Yes! The countdown to CMA Fest 2026 has already begun and four-night stadium passes are on sale. You can find tickets at CMA Fest 2026 is June 4-7, 2026. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When was CMA Fest? Can I get tickets for 2026? What to know
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2 days ago
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Where is CMA Fest held? Nashville music festival drew 95K country fans in 2025, here's what to know
The countdown to CMA Fest is on — the world's biggest celebration of country music is 342 days away. The 2026 event will once again showcase four jam-packed days of live performances and interactive fan experiences, bringing the country music community together for the ultimate celebration. The 2025 event attracted an estimated 95,000 fans from around the globe to Downtown Nashville, where more than 300 performances lit up stages across the city. From surprise stadium performances to exclusive fan experiences and must-see sets, the weekend delivered standout shows and powerful fan-artist connections. Tickets to the event are now on sale and will be available for purchase through June 7, 2026. In the meantime, fans can relive all the show stopping performances from the comfort of home with the "CMA Fest presented by SoFi" concert television special, airing June 26 on ABC at 7 p.m. CT. The three-hour program, hosted by country artists Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde, will feature multiple country superstars including Kelsea Ballerini, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Darius Rucker, Shaboozey, and Lainey Wilson. The special be available to stream the following day on HULU. Still can't get enough country music? Here's what to know about CMA Fest 2026. The 53rd CMA Fest will take place from June 4-7, 2026. The festival takes over downtown Nashville each year, featuring a variety of free outdoor stages along Lower Broadway including the Good Molecules Reverb Stage at Bridgestone Plaza, the Chevy Vibes Stage at Walk of Fame Park, the Hard Rock Stage in front of the Hard Rock Cafe at First and Broadway, the Riverfront Stage, and the Dr Pepper Amp Stage at Ascend Amphitheater. Throughout the day, fans can enjoy artist meet-and-greets, shop for exclusive festival merchandise and explore indoor activities at Fan Fair X inside Music City Center. Each night wraps up at Nissan Stadium, where the event's headliners take the stage. Tickets to the four-day event are now available for purchase at Ticketmaster. Prices vary, as multiple packages are available. While the lineup for the 2026 event has yet to be announced, fans can sign up for CMA's Country Connection emails and visit for information and updates. The 2025 festival featured some of the biggest names in country music, including Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, and Rascal Flatts. Here's a closer look at the lineup: Abbey Cone Alana Springsteen Alex Lambert Alli Walker Angel White Angie K Ashland Craft Ashley Anne Ashley Cooke Ashley McBryde Austin Snell BODHI Bailey Zimmerman Billy Dean Blake Shelton Blanco Brown Blessing Offor BoomTown Saints Brandon Lake Braxton Keith Brendan Walter Brian Fuller Britnee Kellogg CECE Carson Wallace Casey Barnes Chandler Walters Charlie Worsham Chris Lane Christian Hayes Clayton Mullen Cody Johnson Colbie Caillat Colin Stough Colt Graves Conner Smith Cooper Alan Craig Campbell Crowe Boys Dailey & Vincent Danielle Bradbery Darius Rucker Darryl Worley Dasha David Nail Dillon Carmichael Drake Milligan Drew Baldridge Dylan Marlowe Dylan Schneider Eddie and The Getaway Edwin McCain Ella Langley (listed twice) Emily Ann Roberts Erin Kinsey Exile Filmore Frankie Ballard Gabby Barrett Gavin Adcock George Birge Giovannie and The Hired Guns Graham Barham Greylan James Harper O'Neill Hayden Blount Hayden Coffman Hudson Westbrook Hueston Iam Tongi Ian Munsick Jackson Dean Jade Eagleson Jake Worthington Jamie O' Neal Jason Scott & The High Heat Jay Webb Jerrod Niemann John Morgan Jordan Davis Josh Gracin Josh Ross Kameron Marlowe Karley Scott Collins Kashus Culpepper Kaylee Rose Keith Urban Kelsey Hart Kevin Smiley Kylie Morgan LECADE Lakeview Lauren Watkins Leah Turner Liam St. John Lorrie Morgan Luke Borchelt MŌRIAH MaRynn Taylor Mackenzie Carpenter Maddie & Tae Madeline Merlo Marcus King Mark Wills Mason Ramsey Matt Schuster Max McNown Megan Morone Megan Moroney Meghan Patrick Mickey Guyton Midland O.N.E The Duo Owen Riegling Palmer Anthony Pam Tillis Parker McCollum Payton Smith Peytan Porter Pistol Pearl and the Western Band Preston James RVSHVD RaeLynn Randall King Red Clay Strays Redferrin Reid Haughton Reyna Roberts Riley Green Rita Wilson Rodney Atkins SKEEZ Sacha Sam Barber Sam Williams Shaboozey Shaylen Shenandoah Sister Hazel Solon Holt Sophia Scott Sterling Elza T Graham Brown Tanner Adell Tayler Holder The Heels The War And Treaty Thelma and James Thompson Square Tiera Kennedy Tigirlily Gold Trey Lewis Troubadour Blue Tucker Wetmore Ty Herndon Tyler Braden Tyler Farr Tyler Joe Miller US Navy Band Country Current Vincent Mason Waylon Wyatt Wesko Willie Jones Zach Top Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Where is CMA Fest located? What to know about Nashville festival
