Luke Bryan to Host ‘CMA Best of Fest’ TV Special

Nashville’s popular CMA Fest was forced to cancel this year, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but thankfully, country music fans can still relive some of the best performances of the year. The Country Music Association just announced CMA Best of Fest, a three-hour special airing on July 13 (changed from the original date of July 9), hosted by Luke Bryan, looking back on some of the most memorable moments from the past 16 years.

More than 25 performances will air during the broadcast, by numerous artists including Trace Adkins,
Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dan + Shay, Lzzy Hale, Sam Hunt, Joan Jett, Lady A, Miranda Lambert, Lil Nas X, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakam and Zac Brown Band.

In addition, Bobby Bones, Jim Gaffigan, Kirk Herbstreit, Peyton Manning, Lionel Richie, Rob Riggle, Gwen Stefani, Michael Strahan and Rita Wilson will also appear. Luke and Darius will perform a new song as well.

A little more than a week before CMA Best of Fest, Jimmie Allen and Lindsay Ell will host CMA Summer Stay-Cay presented by Budweiser Nitro Gold, a brand new, multi-hour live stream variety event. The event, which will include more than 50 country artists performing together, while socially-distanced, as well as unique Q&A sessions, games and more, will stream live on both CMA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

The Country Music Association announced in March that the annual CMA Fest would not take place this year, because of COVID-19.

“After careful deliberation, and in following the latest guidance from national, state and local authorities, we are sad to announce that CMA Fest will not take place in 2020,” the CMA announced. “Whether you planned to attend CMA Fest for the first time, or you have attended many times throughout the last 48 years, we know how special this festival is for country music fans around the globe and that many will be disappointed by this decision. As the world is still greatly affected by the spread of COVID-19, we cannot in good conscience risk the health and well-being of our fans, artists, staff and country music community.”

CMA Best of Fest will air beginning at 7:00 PM CT on ABC.