CMA Fest might be history, but the music lives on, especially in an upcoming TV special, CMA Fest Presented by SoFi. The three-hour show includes performances from numerous artists throughout the four-day event. Keep reading to find out everything there is to know about the CMA Fest TV special.
When ‘CMA Fest Presented by SoFi’ Will Air
CMA Fest Presented by SoFi will air on Thursday, June 25, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC. It will stream the next day on Hulu.
Who Is Hosting the CMA Fest TV Special
Riley Green and Good Morning America host Lara Spencer are serving as the show’s co-hosts.
“Performing at the CMA Fest is such a big deal,” Green says. “Obviously, getting to play at Nissan. It’s something you grow up dreaming about doing. I don’t think I ever grew up dreaming about hosting. I think that’s something that’s – I hope I didn’t bite off more than I can chew. But I’m excited about being able to have a part in the festival, and being able to interview some other artists I’m friends with, and fans of. It will be a good time.”
Who Is Performing For the CMA Fest TV Special
Several of country music’s biggest stars will perform for CMA Fest Presented by SoFi. See a complete list of performers below.
Bailey Zimmerman
Blake Shelton
The Band Perry
Brothers Osborne
Carly Pearce
Cody Johnson
Deana Carter, Ella Langley
Fetty Wap
Florida Georgia Line
Gretchen Wilson
HARDY
Jason Aldean
Jelly Roll
Jordan Davis
Keith Urban
Lainey Wilson
Luke Bryan
Michael McDonald
Molly Tuttle
The Red Clay Strays
Ricky Skaggs
Riley Green
Russell Dickerson
Shaboozey
Shay Morgan
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Tim McGraw
Tucker Wetmore
Zach Top
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What Some of the Artists Say About Performing at CMA Fest
For many artists, performing at CMA Fest is a highlight of the year, especially if they are able to perform at Nissan Stadium.
“I want it to be a fun time,” Lainey Wilson says of her performance. “People come from all over the world to be here at CMA Fest, and people want to feel like it’s a celebration, so that’s what it’s going to be.”
“What makes CMA Fest different for me is, it’s just really fun to honor the hardcore country music fans,” Luke Bryan says. “It’s all about honoring them, honoring what they’ve done for my career, and it’s all about watching the new artists go establish their relationship with all these fans that come into town. It’s a real special night for me.”
“The stadium is obviously the centerpiece of it all,” says Blake Shelton. “And the fact that I got invited again this year; every time I get the invite, it’s like, ‘Oh wow, okay. I get another year to do this, because my first appearance at CMA Fest was 2001, and 25 years later, to still be doing this, is like, I know how lucky I am, and how rare this is, so I’m taking it in, enjoying it, and just having fun with it. I’m trying not to overthink it.”
“What the families do in supporting everybody that goes out in this crazy circus, from town to town and city to city, they sacrifice a lot as well,” Keith Urban notes. “So having a night when all the family can come like that, and everyone brings everybody, it’s a really, really nice night to honor everyone and celebrate them.”
Photo Credit: CMA / Natasha Moustache