Tag Archives: CMA Fest

“CMA FEST” BRINGS SUMMER’S HOTTEST HITMAKERS CENTERSTAGE WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3 AT 8/7c ON ABC 

The Music Event of Summer Unveils Set List of 30 Performances  
From Today’s Top Music Stars 

“CMA Fest” is Hosted by Dierks Bentley and Elle King 

Watch a Sneak Peek of “CMA Fest” HERE 

NASHVILLE— With just one week before “CMA Fest” airs on screens across America, the Country Music Association reveals the set list of top hits that will be performed during the Music Event of Summer
Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 8/7c on ABC and available next day on Hulu. The primetime network special features Dierks Bentley and Elle King as first-time hosts. Catch a sneak peek of “CMA Fest” HERE

The television special was filmed during the 49th CMA Fest in June at Nissan Stadium in Nashville and features 30 performances of well-known hits performed by the most recognized names in music – all in one night. Viewers can expect performances of the below songs on Aug. 3: 

Jason Aldean – “She’s Country” and “Trouble With A Heartbreak” 
Kelsea Ballerini – “HEARTFIRST” and “half of my hometown” 
Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane”  
Brothers Osborne – “Skeletons” 
Kane Brown – “Like I Love Country Music” and “One Mississippi”  
Luke Bryan - “Kick The Dust Up” 
Luke Combs – “Beer Never Broke My Heart” and “The Kind Of Love We Make” 
Billy Ray Cyrus and Dierks Bentley – “Achy Breaky Heart” 
Russell Dickerson – “Love You Like I Used To” 
Wynonna Judd with Carly Pearce - “Why Not Me” 
Elle King – “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” 
Elle King with Ashley McBryde – “Ex’s & Oh’s”  
Lady A – “Summer State Of Mind” 
Lady A featuring BRELAND – “Need You Now” 
Dustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie Porter - “Thinking ‘Bout You” 
Parker McCollum – “To Be Loved By You” 
Old Dominion - “No Hard Feelings” 
Thomas Rhett – “Slow Down Summer” and medley of “Get Me Some Of That,” “It Goes Like This” and “Vacation” 
Darius Rucker - “Wagon Wheel” 
Cole Swindell - “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” 
Cole Swindell with Lainey Wilson – “Never Say Never” 
Carrie Underwood – “Ghost Story” and “Good Girl” 
Zac Brown Band – “Out In The Middle” 
Zac Brown Band with Darius Rucker - “Chicken Fried”  

“CMA Fest” is executive produced by Robert Deaton.  

About CMA Fest  
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Now heading into its 50th year, the legendary festival has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts tens of thousands of fans from all 50 states and 39 international countries. CMA Fest is a one-of-a-kind festival with artists donating their time to perform so ticket proceeds can directly benefit high-quality music programs across the country through the CMA Foundation. 2022 marks the 19th consecutive year CMA has produced a summer music program to be broadcast as a network television special.  

About ABC Entertainment   
ABC Entertainment’s compelling programming includes “Grey’s Anatomy,” the longest-running medical drama in primetime television; ratings juggernaut “The Bachelor” franchise; riveting dramas “Big Sky,” “The Good Doctor,” “A Million Little Things,” “The Rookie” and “Station 19”; trailblazing comedies “Abbott Elementary,” “The Conners,” “The Goldbergs,” “Home Economics” and “The Wonder Years”; popular game shows, including “The $100,000 Pyramid,” “Celebrity Family Feud,” “The Chase,” “Press Your Luck” and “To Tell the Truth”; star-making sensation “American Idol”; “Judge Steve Harvey,” the network’s strongest unscripted series debut in a year; reality phenomenon “Shark Tank”; family favorites “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Holey Moley”; “General Hospital,” which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”; as well as the critically acclaimed, Emmy® Award-winning “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” specials. The network also boasts some of television’s most prestigious awards shows, including “The Oscars®,” “The CMA Awards” and the “American Music Awards.”  

ABC programming can also be viewed on Hulu

“CMA FEST” RETURNS WITH SUMMER’S MUST-SEE MUSIC PERFORMANCES WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3

“CMA FEST” RETURNS WITH SUMMER’S MUST-SEE MUSIC PERFORMANCES WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3 AT 8/7c ON ABC 

The Music Event of Summer Features 30 Can’t Miss Collaborations and Stellar Performances from Today’s Top Music Stars  

“CMA Fest” is Hosted by Dierks Bentley and Elle King 

Watch a Sneak Peek of “CMA Fest” HERE 

NASHVILLE— “CMA Fest,” the Music Event of Summer, celebrates its grand return, bringing the top music acts together on one stage for three full hours of can’t miss collaborations and unforgettable performances Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 8/7c on ABC and available next day on Hulu. The primetime special is led by first-time hosts Dierks Bentley and Elle King. Catch a sneak peek of “CMA Fest” HERE.  

“I think Elle brings so much to the table,” shared Bentley. “Onstage she’s just a riot and also super talented – a great combination of talent with comedic humor. A lot of spontaneous moments between the two of us and just a lot of laughs.” 

“I am co-hosting this whole shebang,” laughed King. “Not only do I get to do it with my buddy Dierks, I also get to see all these incredible performances and be a part of a big party!” 

“When Dierks and Elle first performed together at Fest in 2016, I knew they had something special,” said “CMA Fest” Executive Producer Robert Deaton. “The festival itself may be over, but thanks to these two, along with a solid slate of performances and special collaborations, the party continues in homes across America. It was a fun challenge to think differently with our setup these last two years, but it felt great to be back with a full house at the stadium.”   

Filmed from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN during the 49th CMA Fest in June, the television special features 30 performances from music’s hottest stars as they take the stage during the four-day festival. Fans will be talking for weeks about stellar collaborations including Bentley and Billy Ray CyrusWynonna Judd and Carly PearceDustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie PorterCole Swindell and Lainey Wilson, King and Ashley McBrydeLady A featuring BRELAND, and Zac Brown Band with Darius Rucker. Additional performers include Jason AldeanKelsea BalleriniBrothers OsborneKane BrownLuke BryanLuke CombsRussell DickersonParker McCollumOld DominionThomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood.   

About CMA Fest 
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Now celebrating its 49th year, the legendary festival has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts tens of thousands of fans from all 50 states and 39 international countries. CMA Fest is a one-of-a-kind festival with artists donating their time to perform so ticket proceeds can directly benefit high-quality music programs across the country through the CMA Foundation. This is the 19th consecutive year CMA has produced a summer music program to be broadcast as a network television special.

About ABC Entertainment   
ABC Entertainment’s compelling programming includes “Grey’s Anatomy,” the longest-running medical drama in primetime television; ratings juggernaut “The Bachelor” franchise; riveting dramas “Big Sky,” “The Good Doctor,” “A Million Little Things,” “The Rookie” and “Station 19”; trailblazing comedies “Abbott Elementary,” “The Conners,” “The Goldbergs,” “Home Economics” and “The Wonder Years”; popular game shows, including “The $100,000 Pyramid,” “Celebrity Family Feud,” “The Chase,” “Press Your Luck” and “To Tell the Truth”; star-making sensation “American Idol”; “Judge Steve Harvey,” the network’s strongest unscripted series debut in a year; reality phenomenon “Shark Tank”; family favorites “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Holey Moley”; “General Hospital,” which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”; as well as the critically acclaimed, Emmy® Award-winning “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” specials. The network also boasts some of television’s most prestigious awards shows, including “The Oscars®,” “The CMA Awards” and the “American Music Awards.”  

ABC programming can also be viewed on Hulu

CMA Fest: Lindsay Ell Performs at Riverfront & FCP! – Photo Gallery

Lindsay Ell has taken the Country Music world by storm. Hailing from Canada, she has earned the title of the hardest working artist in the industry. She’s always catching a plane or a bus to her next gig. Where does she find the energy? She also always finds time to interact with her fans. She has won Canadian Country Music Awards “Interactive Artist of the Year” three years in a row!

Lindsay Ell with Variety Beat founder Jencita Vargas and daughter Madison Emery.

Ell has earned two #1s at Canadian Country Music with “Criminal” and “Want Me Back” and one #1 at US radio with Brantley Gilbert for “What Happens in a Small Town.” She recently spent time being the host of Canada’s Got Talent.

She’s also a great dog mom!!
Variety Beat was happy to catch up with Lindsay Ell at CMA Fest this year! She played at the epic Riverfront Stage and also hosted her 6th annual Fan Club Party. It was there she performed snippets of new songs and revealed some happy news to her fans. Don’t worry, we won’t spoil the announcement, we’ll let Lindsay share it on her own time!

Check out the photo galleries below and be sure to keep an eye out on more new music coming soon! In the meantime, check out her current single “Right On Time.”

LINDSAY ELL PERFORMS AT HER 6TH ANNUAL FAN CLUB PARTY

LINDSAY ELL PERFORMS AT THE RIVERFRONT STAGE

Interview: Johnny Dailey Talks Inspiration Behind His Music Video, Favorite Beer, and His Secret Talent – Watch

Originally hailing from Alabama, before finding a home in North Carolina, Johnny Dailey and his family moved to Nashville, TN several years back to give country music all he’s got. He has a passion for telling stories through his songs and is inspired by what he knows.

With CMA Fest finally back for the first time in three years, Dailey had the opportunity to play the CMA Spotlight Stage inside fan fair hall. Getting to introduce his music at the biggest country music festival was definitely a highlight.

Variety Beat sat down with Daily to talk about his current single “Beers in It” along with the inspiration behind the music video. His family is very involved in providing feedback for his music and they get to be his first audience. His down-to-earth nature makes him immediately lovable. Be sure to check out the interview below along with his official music video. We also chatted about his favorite beer and a secret talent fans might not know about him!

WATCH- INTERVIEW WITH JOHNNY DAILEY AT CMA FEST

WATCH- “BEERS IN IT” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

About Johnny Dailey

Johnny Dailey discovered his love for country music as a kid riding around in his cousin’s truck listening to songs. When his dad gave him his first acoustic guitar at the age of 12, his destiny was all but set in stone. Following high school, the Trussville, AL, native moved to Charleston, SC, where he honed his performance chops playing original songs up and down the city’s infamous King Street. Nashville quickly took notice and, in the summer of 2018, he, wife Michelle and son Cooper began the next chapter of their lives in Music City.

“I grew up loving country music,” says Johnny. “I’ve always had a desire to tell my story through song and have it connect with people in some way. Songs have always been a source of comfort for me and I’ve always wanted to sing songs that provide that comfort for other people. It’s a good feeling when you know someone else has been in your shoes.”

The rising country star, with his anthemic, feel-good brand of Country music, signed his first major publishing deal in 2019 and is now signed to a global publishing deal with Endurance Music Group. Johnny is currently focused on his songwriting and honing in on his sound. When he’s not writing and performing in Nashville, Johnny enjoys spending time on his family’s farm, making furniture, taking trips to Charleston and surfing.

Thompson Square Performs at CMA Fest – Photo Gallery!

With a new single at country radio, Thompson Square let everyone who attended CMA Fest 2022 know that they truly have country in their soul! The GRAMMY nominated duo performed at the kickoff event Tuesday, June 7th, followed by their official CMA Fest performance at the Dr Pepper Amp stage. They performed hits like “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” and new songs “Are You Gonna Dance” along with their current single “Country in My Soul.”

LISTEN TO “COUNTRY IN MY SOUL”

Thompson Square is signed with a new record label, Quartz Hill and has released several songs since their last album Masterpiece. Expect to hear more new music from the duo as the continue to tour and promote their new single, which was the number 2 most added song the week of release!

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY FROM CMA FEST

About Thompson Square:

Known for romantically charged #1 hits like “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and “If I Didn’t Have You,” GRAMMY® Award-nominated duo Thompson Square has celebrated several successes in their 10+ year career, including multiple award nominations and wins, top 10 tunes like “I Got You” and “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About,” and multi-platinum status. With the release of a new radio single – upbeat, country rock ode to their rural upbringings, “Country In My Soul” – Thompson Square reaffirms their penchant for rollicking anthems and wistful, uplifting balladry that fans have come to know and love.

To learn more about Thompson Square, visit ThompsonSquare.com, and follow Thompson Square on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.