CMA Fest Night 1: Post Malone, Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde & More Bring The Thrills

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Post Malone and Blake Shelton perform at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 6 during CMA Fest 2024 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

CMA Fest 2024 is officially here. At Thursday night’s (June 6) opening show at Nissan Stadium, the four-night run kicked off with a loud bang, with sets from Thomas Rhett, Ashley McBryde, Jordan Davis, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more, with plenty of surprise guests.

To get things started, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern welcomed everyone to the 51st annual festival, reminding the crowd that proceeds from CMA Fest benefit music education via the CMA Foundation. After Reyna Roberts sang the National Anthem, the race was on.

Craig Morgan performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 6 during CMA Fest 2024 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

Craig Morgan was the first to hit the stage. He kicked off his set with one of CMA Fest-attendees favorite things, nostalgia, singing his 2005 hits “Redneck Yacht Club” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday.” Nissan Stadium was fully engaged by the time he played “Almost Home.”

Morgan spent a lot of his set recognizing members of the military and first responders. The army veteran, who reenlisted into the army reserve earlier this year, spoke about the sacrifice and brotherhood of those who serve, and roused the crowd with his cover of Gavin DeGraw’s “Soldier.”

“This one’s for the farmers!” Morgan exclaimed before closing his set with “International Harvester.” He left the crowd excited and ready for more.

Jordan Davis performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 6 during CMA Fest 2024 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

Next up was Jordan Davis, who came out swinging with “Take It From Me.” Transitioning quickly into his first-ever No. 1 “Singles You Up,” Davis immediately took advantage of the stadium-sized stage’s real estate, running from end to end and down near the crowd.

Davis glided through his set with ease, grinning at fans through “Tucson Too Late” and “Slow Dance In A Parking Lot.”

“I moved to town in 2012 to write songs. It’s a dream to be here in front of you guys. But the real dream is being a father to three beautiful girls and a husband to my beautiful wife,” he said before playing his award-winning “Next Thing You Know.”

Chapel Hart performs at the platform stage at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 6 during CMA Fest 2024 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

It was then and when he played the 2022 CMA Song of the Year “Buy Dirt” that became a highlight of the night. Fans were swaying, hugging each other and singing every word to both of the meaningful songs.

Davis closed his up with a electrifying performance of “What My World Spins Around,” making for a great, well-rounded set.

Soon after, fans turned towards the back of the stadium to tune into the Platform Stage. Country trio Chapel Hart were first to have the slot. They charmed fans, as they always do, with “This Girl Likes Fords” and “You Can Have Him Jolene.”

Ashley McBryde and Gretchen Wilson perform at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 6 during CMA Fest 2024 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

Turning back to the main stage, it was time for Ashley McBryde, who was serving double duty on Thursday night as she is also co-hosting the CMA Fest television special alongside Jelly Roll.

She set the stage ablaze with “Blackout Betty” before thrilling fans with her “One Night Standards.” McBryde gazed out at the crowd with a grateful smile on her face, and appeared to be having the time of her life.

“We wrote this next song with hopes that one day I’d get to play the Grand Ole Opry. Tonight I’m hosting CMA Fest with my friend Jelly Roll and I’m a member of the Grand Ole Opry,” she said before playing “Girl Going Nowhere.” By that point, the crowd was in the palm of her hand.

Dylan Gossett performs at the VIP stage at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 6 during CMA Fest 2024 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

She continued to impress with “Women Ain’t Whiskey” and “Light On In The Kitchen” before surprising fans by inviting Gretchen Wilson to join her. The two rocked out on “Redneck Woman,” creating a special moment for the two female trailblazers.

McBryde kept the rocking vibes rolling with “Martha Divine” and “The Devil I Know” before exiting the stage, leaving Nissan Stadium thoroughly entertained.

Next up, fans turned their attention once again to the Platform Stage where Dylan Gossett appeared. He sang his viral hit “Coal,” which got everybody singing along, as well as “If I Had a Lover.”

Speaking of viral hits, before the music resumed on the main stage, buzzy newcomer Shaboozey appeared on a small stage in the middle of the floor. He got the whole stadium on their feet with his smash hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

Shaboozey performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 6 during CMA Fest 2024 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

Building on the dance-floor energy, next up was Thomas Rhett. He came out hot with “Look What God Gave Her” and his 20th No. 1 hit “Half of Me.”

Rhett took the chance to try out some new music, opting for a song called “Gone Country” from his recently-announced upcoming album About A Woman. He then got back to the hits, blazing through “Make Me Wanna,” rising single “Beautiful As You,” Moran Wallen-duet “Mamaw’s House” and fan-favorite “Crash and Burn.”

Fans were dancing in the aisles during “What’s Your Country Song” and sang at the top of the lungs to the eight-times Platinum “Die a Happy Man.”

Thomas Rhett performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 6 during CMA Fest 2024 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

The surprise of the night came next, when Post Malone appeared on the small stage in the middle of the floor. If fans were sitting down, they sprang to their feet when the superstar’s name was announced. Everyone in Nissan Stadium was trying to get a better look.

He sang his history-making debut country single, “I Had Some Help,” before enlisting another star to help with his next song, Blake Shelton. The two had a ball singing their new collaboration “Somebody Pour Me a Drink.”

To close out the next, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage for a rowdy and exciting performance. The house stayed pretty packed for their set, which started around 11:30.

Lynyrd Skynyrd performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 6 during CMA Fest 2024 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

The legendary band rocked out on “What’s Your Name,” “That Smell” and “The Ballad of Curtis Loew.” Everyone soaked in the moment for their performance of the iconic “Simple Man,” and after “Gimme Three Steps,” the fans were thrilled with another surprise with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons joined Skynyrd for “Call me the Breeze.”

Closing up CMA Fest night one was an incredible double-whammy of “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird.” Needless to say, fans left Nissan Stadium thoroughly entertained.

LB Cantrell
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