After a two-year absence, CMA Fest took over Nashville this weekend, with tons of events and music happening all over Music City, including an A-list lineup of stars who headlined Nissan Stadium.
One of the biggest highlights of the weekend came during Carly Pearce's set Friday night when she surprised the crowd with guest Wynonna Judd. “CMA Fest, we lost one of our absolute pillars in country music earlier this year: Miss Naomi Judd,” Carly shared before introducing Wy. “As a girl growing up in Kentucky, I idolized the Judds and wanted to be like them. My first concert was to see Wynonna. And I've always loved all of the music that the Judds made and feel like it is such a representation of the best of country music.” The pair then teamed for a performance of The Judds' 1984 hit "Why Not Me” and Wy also performed The Judds’ classic “Love Can Build A Bridge.”
Other highlights from the weekend include:
- In addition to his own set, which included such hits as “Alright,” “Come Back Song,” “Homegrown Honey,” “This,” and “Beers And Sunshine,” as well as Hootie and the Blowfish tunes, Darius Rucker came out during Zac Brown Band’s set to join them on the classic “Chicken Fried.”
- Zac Brown also brought out King Calaway, who performed “When I Get Home,” and Marcus King to perform a song they co-wrote, “Stubborn Pride.”
- n addition to his many hits, Jason Aldean did perform his number one song “If I Didn’t Love You,” but despite Carrie Underwood performing at CMA Fest later in the weekend, she was only there via video.
- Kelsea Ballerini ran through her hits, including a touching acoustic version of “homecoming queen,” with the audience lighting up the stadium with their phones.
- Lainey Wilson made her first CMA Fest performance, joining Cole Swindell for their hit duet “Never Say Never.”
- Thomas Rhett’s Friday night set featured a variety of hits, including “Slow Down Summer” and “Country Again,” but he also got the crowd revved up with the lesser known 2016 track “Vacation.”
- In addition to hits such as “Good as You,” “One Mississippi,” “One Thing Right,” and “What Ifs,” Kane Brown treated the crowd to two new songs, his latest single “Like I Love Country Music,” as well as “Riot.”
- Luke Combs proved his Entertainer of the Year status by wowing the crowd with hits like “When It Rains It Pours,” “Cold as You,” “Hurricane” and previewed the new song “The Kind of Love We Make,” featured on his new album “Growin’ Up,” which comes out Friday.
- Luke Bryan kept the party going with such hits as “Huntin,’ Fishin,’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and more.
- Carrie Underwood wrapped Saturday night with hits like “Church Bells,” “Good Girl, and “Before He Cheats,” along with her latest single “Ghost Story” and more.
Source: USA Today