LIL NAS X, BILLY RAY CYRUS AND KEITH URBAN BRING SURPRISE PERFORMANCE OF “OLD TOWN ROAD” TO CMA FEST ON DAY THREE
The surprises continued on day three of CMA Fest, as Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus and reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban took the Nissan Stadium stage to perform the No. 1 song in the country, “Old Town Road.” The packed stadium erupted with excitement, bringing the audience to their feet, dancing and singing along to every word.
Tim McGraw headlined Nissan Stadium, including a surprise appearance by Luke Combs to perform “Real Good Man.” Miranda Lambert performed her new song “Locomotive,” while Dierks Bentley welcomed Tenille Townes to the stage, celebrating women in Country with cover performances of Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s in Love with a Boy” and Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine.” Current CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients Kassi Ashton, Travis Denning and Jameson Rogers made their debut performances at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest, while Runaway June performed the National Anthem.
Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson presented Cyrus with a 2019 MNPD coin backstage at Nissan Stadium. The coin, which commemorates Metro Nashville’s new headquarters building and remembers the sacrifices made by their officers, bears Cyrus’ song “All Gave Some, Some Gave All.”
The Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater once again sold out last night, with performances presented by Warner Music Nashville. During his co-headlining set, Cody Johnson recognized military and law enforcement in the audience, asking them to stand while thanking them for their service. Chris Young was featured as the Artist of the Day on the CMA Close Up Stage yesterday, participating in a discussion with Country Countdown USA host Lon Helton about his music as well as the CMA Foundation, followed by the audience singing him an early “Happy Birthday.” Kelsea Ballerini was participating in a surprise meet-and-greet at Xfinity Fan Fair X when she received word her single “Miss Me More” just hit No. 1 at Country radio.
Chrissy Metz participated in a Q&A panel “Meet the Stars Behind the ‘Breakthrough’ Movie Soundtrack” at the CMA Close Up Stage at Xfinity Fan Fair X with guests DeVon Franklin, Mickey Guyton and Diane Warren, while Kiefer Sutherland played to a packed crowd at the Budweiser Forever Country stage. The Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage hit capacity during The Wandering Hearts, while Blanco Brown jumped into the crowd at the Radio Disney Country Stage and had fans on their feet dancing before bringing his niece on stage for a remixed version of the National Anthem.
CMA Fest is the longest-running Country Music festival in the world with a portion of ticket proceeds directly benefiting high-quality music education initiatives across the United States through the CMA Foundation, thanks to all the artists performing at CMA Fest donating their time.
Kelsea Ballerini participates in a surprise meet-and-greet with fans at Xfinity Fan Fair X inside Music City Center and receives the news that her single “Miss Me More” hit No. 1 at Country radio.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Whiting/CMA
Runaway June performs the National Anthem at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
Billy Ray Cyrus opens Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
Tim McGraw closes out night three at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Donn Jones/CMA
Tim McGraw and Luke Combs surprise fans with a special collaboration of “Real Good Man” during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Donn Jones/CMA
Kassi Ashton, one of the CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients, performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Donn Jones/CMA
Travis Denning, one of the CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients, performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Natasha Moustache/CMA
Jameson Rodgers, one of the CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients, performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Natasha Moustache/CMA
Brett Young performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Nick Zimmer/CMA
Miranda Lambert performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Donn Jones/CMA
Miranda Lambert performs with Pistol Annies at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
Luke Combs performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Caitlin Harris/CMA
Dierks Bentley performs at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Donn Jones/CMA
Dierks Bentley brings Tenille Townes out on stage at Nissan Stadium to perform covers of Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s in Love with a Boy” and Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
Hunter Hayes co-headlines the Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by Warner Music Nashville with Cody Johnson during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Hunter Berry/CMA
Cody Johnson co-headlines the Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by Warner Music Nashville with Hunter Hayes during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Hunter Berry/CMA
Russell Dickerson performs at the Chevy Riverfront Stage during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen/CMA
Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence featured special guests T Graham Brown, Tim Rushlow, Adam Sanders and Jeannie Seely at the Forever Country Stage during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
Kiefer Sutherland performs at the Budweiser Forever Country Stage during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
King Calaway performs at the Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Bridgestone Plaza during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Nathan Zimmer/CMA
Lauren Jenkins performs at the Maui Jim Broadway Stage at Bridgestone Plaza during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Claire Barnett/CMA
Chris Young performs on the CMA Close Up Stage for the Artist of the Day session at Xfinity Fan Fair X during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Hunter Berry/CMA
Chrissy Metz participates in a Q&A panel “Meet the Stars Behind the ‘Breakthrough’ Movie Soundtrack” at the CMA Close Up Stage at Xfinity Fan Fair X inside Music City Center with guests DeVon Franklin, Mickey Guyton and Diane Warren.
Photo Credit: Caitlin Harris/CMA
Robert Counts performs at the Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Nathan Zimmer/CMA
The Wandering Hearts perform at the Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8, with the stage hitting capacity for their set.
Photo Credit: Claire Barnett/CMA
Eric Paslay performs at the HGTV ‘A Very Brady’ Lodge during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Jamie Schramm/CMA
Filmore performs at the Chevy Breakout Stage at Walk of Fame Park during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Claire Barnett/CMA
Tegan Marie performs at the Radio Disney Country Stage during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen/CMA
Blanco Brown performs at the Radio Disney Country Stage during CMA Fest Saturday, June 8.
Photo Credit: Nathan Zucker/CMA
