Latest news with #CMAFest2025
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
How to watch CMA Fest 2025 online, on TV and stream Shaboozey, Keith Urban and more from anywhere
Festival season is in full swing and you can catch all the highlights from the biggest weekend in country music. With performances from some fo the genres biggest stars, here's how to watch CMA Fest 2025 from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for FREE. U.S. date and time: CMA Fest 2025 airs Thursday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. It'll stream on Hulu the following day.• U.S. — ABC (via Sling TV) and Hulu• CA — CTV (FREE)• UK — BBC iPlayer (from July 3)• AU — Stan• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk-free The 2025 edition of CMA Fest took place over five days at the start of June, taking over Nashville, Tennessee and packing out the Nissan Stadium with the venue hosting two stages, in addition to the legends and rising stars taking to the stage over at the Ascend Amphitheater. The three-hour primetime special, hosted by Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde, will feature select performances from the main venue, including songs from the likes of Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Shaboozey and Jelly Roll, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins and more. Johnson and McBryde are also set to perform. It's set to be an unmissable show for country music fans with epic performances and one-off collaborations, and we've got all the info on how to watch CMA Fest 2025 online and from anywhere. CMA Fest 2025 airs on Thursday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC in the U.S. ABC is a broadcast network that can be accessed with one of the best TV antennas, a cable TV package or a live TV streaming platform like Sling TV, Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV. If you're not planning to watch live, you can also catch the special the following day on Hulu, which costs $9.99 per month basic or $18.99 per month ad-free. You can also subscribe to each tier annually and receive two months free. You can also get Hulu via the Disney Bundle though, which gets you that streamer and Disney Plus for $10.99 each month. You can pay more for ad-free options and sports fans can also opt-in to have ESPN Plus added on top, which creates some great bundle savings. Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching CMA Fest 2025 on your usual streaming service? You can still watch the dating show thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for TV fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's one of the best VPNs on the market, and you can find out why in our NordVPN review. NordVPN deal: FREE $50 / £50 Amazon gift card Boasting lightning fast speeds, great features, streaming power, and class-leading security, NordVPN is our #1 VPN. ✅ FREE Amazon gift card worth up to $50/£50✅ 4 months extra FREE!✅ 76% off usual price Use Nord to unblock your usual streaming service and watch CMA Fest live online with our exclusive deal. As in the U.S., CMA Fest goes out on Thursday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Canadians can watch on CTV or stream for free on the CTV streaming service and the CTV app after transmission. Canadians traveling abroad can unblock CTV from anywhere with a NordVPN subscription. Country music fans in the U.K. might have to wait a little longer for CMA Fest 2025. Last year, BBC iPlayer broadcast the show in early August, but we have had no such announcement this year. If any updates arrive we'll tell you about them right here. Don't forget: U.S. and Canadian fans visiting the U.K. can still access their usual streaming services with the help of NordVPN. Aussies will be able to watch CMA Fest 2025 on Stan, with the special set to drop at 10 a.m. AEST on Friday, June 27. Stan prices start from AU$12 per month and head up to AU$22. With NordVPN, Aussies abroad can can gain access to their usual streaming services from anywhere on the planet. While CMA Fest 2025 took place from Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8, the best performances from across the weekend have been collected into this primetime special which is set to land on Thursday, June 26 in the U.S. and Canada, and Friday, June 27 in Australia. Here's a full list of the performances and songs you can expect to see in the CMA Fest 2025 primetime special: The CMA Fest 2025 special is being hosted by country music icons Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Dierks Bentley's New Album Suffers A Disappointing Start On The Charts
Dierks Bentley's Broken Branches misses the Billboard 200, marking the first time a major label ... More album of his has failed to chart on the main tally. NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 08: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Dierks Bentley performs during CMA Fest 2025 at the main stage at Nissan Stadium on June 08, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) For years, Dierks Bentley was regarded as one of the biggest names in country music. For well over a decade, every time he released a new full-length, it rocketed straight into the top 10 on many of Billboard's albums charts, and every project became a bestseller. The singer-songwriter reached a new low with his previous album in 2023, but it's his latest set that truly disappoints, as it arrives — or more accurately, misses — important rankings. Dierks Bentley Misses the Billboard 200 Bentley released his new album Broken Branches on June 13. Now that its first full tracking frame has passed, the project debuts on a handful of Billboard lists. Sadly, it completely misses the Billboard 200, the main ranking of the most consumed full-lengths and EPs in the U.S. Luminate reports that the last title on the Billboard 200 this week, the Moana soundtrack, shifted 8,500 equivalent units. That means Bentley's latest project didn't quite move that many copies in its first week of availability, as its opening sum was not shared by the data company. A Career First: Dierks Bentley Misses the Main Chart Bentley has never seen one of his major label albums fail to crack the Billboard 200. His debut full-length Don't Leave Me in Love, which dropped in 2001 on an independent label, never charted. His 2003 self-titled follow-up — his first for Capitol Nashville — rose to No. 26 and was eventually certified platinum. The singer-songwriter's next eight projects all reached the Billboard 200's top 10, with Black bringing him to the runner-up space, his all-time peak. Gravel & Gold, which arrived in February 2023, missed the mark as it peaked at No. 73. That still stands as his career-low point on the Billboard 200, as his latest doesn't even make it onto the tally. Broken Branches Finds Some Success Broken Branches does manage to debut on both the Top Album Sales and Top Country Albums charts. On those rankings, Bentley's latest opens at Nos. 27 and 41, respectively. Luminate reports that the country artist's new set sold a little more than 3,800 copies in its first seven days of availability, which places it almost perfectly in the middle of the 50-spot Top Album Sales roster.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Godfather of Country Fest.' Dierks Bentley returns to annual event in Stark County
LAWRENCE TWP. ‑ Aaron Green and Joel Beichler were scrambling to start a country music festival from the ground up in 2010 and needed a big act to get them started. After weeks of waiting, confirmation finally came in with a phone call to their living room-turned-makeshift-office. And it was a bona fide country music star: Dierks Bentley. Green and Beichler lost their minds in celebration before reality sunk in. And pressure mounted because they realized if they didn't pull off their first try at Country Fest it would be the last. "I remember being really excited, and then that only lasted a minute because neither one of us had a clue and didn't know what we were doing," Green said with laughter. "And we didn't know what we were doing or knew how we were going to make it happen." Fast forward to this week when Bentley returns as a headliner during the four-day festival. He's considered Country Fest royalty. "Dierks is an all-time favorite of ours, and he really was the first act we ever confirmed on any date," Green said. "And we always jokingly called him the godfather of Country Fest. "He was the first act that kind of gave us a shot, and his show put us on the map that first year 16 years ago," Green added. "It's always great to have him back. He's an awesome dude." Green said Bentley's return is also affirmation that Country Fest remains a well-run, top-tier event. Bentley will be tied with Thomas Rhett for having played Country Fest the most times, he noted. With a sprawling song catalog that includes "Burnin' Man," "Gone" and "Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)," Bentley will headline the event June 13. Bentley, who will release his new album, "Broken Branches" the day he performs, will be the fourth act of the day, which begins with Stark County native and Nashville-based country music artist Karissa Ella taking the stage at 4 p.m. Country Fest also has one of the newest country stars in 27-year-old Zach Top, who performs the same day as Bentley. Another hot draw is Bailey Zimmerman, who headlines June 12. Other headliners are Warren Zieders on June 11 and Hardy June 14. Supporting artists include Niko Moon, Dylan Marlowe, Cameron Marlowe, Chase Rice, Tyler Braden and Ashely Cooke. For anyone doubting Bentley's enduring star status, look no further than his June 8 performance at CMA Fest 2025 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, where he performed before 50,000 fans on the main stage in a lineup that also included Luke Bryan and Ashley McBryde, along with Top and Zimmerman. Top joined the 49-year-old Bentley on stage at CMA Fest for a rendition of Alabama's classic, "Mountain Magic." During the televised performance, he wrapped his arm around the 27-year-old Top and said, "Let me tell you something about this guy… This is the future of country music right here, Zach Top." Dierks Bentley and Zach Top CMA Fest 2025 Sunday Night Nissan Stadium Shows: 5 Top Moments Country Fest clearly hasn't lost its mojo and ability to mine prime country talent. And for opening acts like Ella, it remains a plum gig and career highlight. "It means the world to me," she said. "Just to give other people perspective, every artist in Nashville knows what Country Fest is − that's how big of a deal it is. And any artist, any big artist, everyone knows Country Fest in Ohio." Green said it's clearly easier to book big acts at Country Fest compared to those early days. "We have systems in place − all the difficult things that have taken years to build, to get things honed in just right, to make sure the show goes easiest," he said. But that doesn't mean it's a breeze by any stretch. "There's maybe only 18 really strong headliners we can consider, and it's always changing because sometimes acts will take off a week or take a month off or not work Father's Day weekend this year," Green said. "So, it's really a narrow group of artists we can book." But could Country Fest get the biggest acts in country if they wanted? The answer is yes ... and no. "We could book Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan and Jelly Roll and all the biggest names out there, but it would be way too expensive and out of the norm for us (regarding ticket prices)," Green explained. "So, we have to find a good middle, and I think that's what we're good at." Strategy also comes into play, Green said. Especially since talent is booked up to 16 months in advance. Sometimes that means forecasting whether a Nashville prospect could be a future star. Look at Top, who graduated from the platform stage in 2024 at CMA Fest to the main stage at the June 8 edition. Propelling his popularity has been his 2024 hit album, "Cold Beer and Country Music," which features the songs, "Sounds Like The Radio" and "I Never Lie." Top also announced a new album, "Ain't In It For My Health," which is set for release later this summer. And he performed his new single, "Good Times & Tan Lines." Zimmerman also has been on the ascent, charting the 2022 singles, "Fall in Love" and "Rock and a Hard Place." He's remained hot, performing at the recent CMA Fest, including the rap-country fusion hit, "All The Way," featuring BigXthaPlug. Country Fest also has hit the jackpot with rising acts in past years like Kane Brown, who gained a large online following before breaking through commercially. Last year's big get was Lainey Wilson, 33, who was already established but got red hot by the time she arrived at Clay's Resort. "Headliners are headliners for that reason," Green said. "They're a lot of money. They have proven track records, but kind of our favorite thing to do is really to research artists and follow them on social media and get a good vibe for them. "It's kind of our magic sauce is to have really strong headliners but pick out these undercards that are maybe currently undervalued but in the long run, (concertgoers are) going to remember we had them ... when they're at the next level and come up." Country Fest has come a long way since Florida Georgia Line performed on what Green described as a "little hay wagon thing" in the parking lot. That was the inaugural festival. Green had to clear the laughter from his throat before he could continue the story. "Most people didn't even know they were here, but they were here," Green said of Florida Georgia Line. "They played like at 2 p.m.," he recalled. "There were probably 25 people there, and then they blew up (and became famous)." Green hopes Country Fest can boost the profile of Ella, the former North Canton resident who said the music festival was on her bucket list. "It's really cool for us from the festival side," he said of Ella's first Country Fest appearance. "Having this opportunity is really special. I'm really hoping that a lot of people come out and support her and we have a really big crowd. I think that would be really neat to see." Reputation alone, however, isn't enough to pull off another year of Country Fest, Green said. Challenges persist in a highly competitive industry while striving to keep ticket prices as low as possible amid inflationary pressures, he said. For example, concert production has increased in rental cost from around $100,000 to $200,000, Green said. That includes a stage and roof and audio, lighting and sound equipment. "It's a very expensive rig," he said. "It's about eight tractor-trailers of gear." "We can pretty much accommodate any tour in the world essentially now," Green said. "They would have to scale down their production to fit us right now. It's just hard because every act is bringing more and more gear, and that makes it a better show for the fans, but when they bring more gear, they bring more trucks, so we're starting to run out of room, (and) we're going to have to plan how we're going to make some more room back there (in the loading dock area)." What: The Country Fest Where: Clay's Resort Jellystone Park, 12951 Patterson Road NW in Lawrence Township. What: Country musical festival, featuring headliners Warren Zeiders, Bailey Zimmerman, Dierks Bentley and Hardy, as well as Zach Top and Stark County native Karissa Ella. When: June 11-14. Ella, a 2014 Hoover High School grad, performs at 4 p.m. June 13. Tickets: Single day admission costs $84.99 Wednesday, and $129.99 daily Thursday through Saturday. Two-day commuter tickets cost $217.88; three-day commuter, $238.87; and four-day, $259.87. Commuter passes include admission to Clay's Resort Adventure Waterpark. To purchase tickets and for information about camping, go to More details: Reach Ed at ebalint@ Follow on X @ebalintREP and TikTok @edwardbalint. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Dierks Bentley and Zach Top lead hot lineup at Ohio's Country Fest
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lainey Wilson Performs With Country Legend, 61, at CMA Fest
Lainey Wilson Performs With Country Legend, 61, at CMA Fest originally appeared on Parade. A duo country music fans deserve! Lainey Wilson took the stage at CMA Fest 2025 on Saturday, June 7, and was joined by none other than Wynonna Judd. Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild also performed with the powerhouse pair at the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, Tennessee. Of course, this isn't the first time Wilson, 33, and Judd, 61, have collaborated. In June 2024, they teamed up to record a powerful cover of Tom Petty's 'Refugee.' Wilson and Judd later made their on-stage debut to perform the track in Nashville as part of Wilson's 'Country's Cool Again' tour. Ultimately, Wilson has never been shy about her admiration of Judd. 'They were The Judds. I mean, they were the soundtrack of my childhood,' Wilson told Us Weekly in a 2023 interview referring to Wilson's musical duo with her mother, Naomi Judd. 'I remember going to my [grandmother 's] house. She'd pick me and my sister up to go eat, and we would crank up the Judds.' 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 As for recording music with Judd, Wilson will never forget it! 'That was one of the coolest experiences of my life. My gosh, every time I tried to use that growl in my voice, I was trying to channel my inner Wynonna. Everybody wants an inner Wynonna,' the 'Hang Tight Honey' artist said in a separate interview with American Songwriter. 'Getting to have that experience with her, in her studio, in her house, with her husband Cactus, it was wild,' Wilson recalled. 'We went in to cut the vocals at the exact same time. We were just separated by a thin wall, and we just got to riff off of each other. It was pure magic." Lainey Wilson Performs With Country Legend, 61, at CMA Fest first appeared on Parade on Jun 8, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Country Darling Lainey Wilson Reveals Unexpected Wedding Detail
Country Darling Lainey Wilson Reveals Unexpected Wedding Detail originally appeared on Parade. is knee-deep in wedding planning. The country crooner, who shared her engagement to former Pittsburgh Steelers player in February, recently turned heads by revealing she was aiming for a different vibe for their upcoming nuptials. While the guest list for the upcoming celebration will likely include plenty of major country artists, the couple is opting for jazz music for their entertainment. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Speaking to Taste of Country Nights, the "Watermelon Moonshine" singer noted they want to hire a jazz band or two for the occasion. Though they haven't set a wedding date yet, Wilson also revealed that she believes her fiancé will be the first to shed a tear during their big day. As for her dad, she joked, "I ain't seen that man cry once in my whole life." Wilson most recently took the stage at CMA Fest 2025, where she surprised the crowd by bringing out country legend to the stage, along with Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild. And we have no doubt her wedding dress will be nothing short of spectacular, as the 33-year-old continues to wow fans with her trendy fashion, most recently earning praise for a leather outfit fit for a cowgirl at the CMA Darling Lainey Wilson Reveals Unexpected Wedding Detail first appeared on Parade on Jun 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
