CMA Fest Day 1: Fans Flock To Downtown For CMA Fest 2025 Kick Off

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Megan Moroney performs at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

CMA Fest 2025 officially kicked off yesterday (June 5), showcasing rising and in-demand talent all around downtown.

MŌRIAH kicked things off yesterday with the national anthem performance at Chevy Riverfront Stage, before Megan Moroney, Josh Ross, Drew Baldridge, Austin Snell, Dasha, Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Ashley Cooke and Randall King all took the stage for their own sets.

Kane Brown and Marshmello perform onstage during Spotify House at CMA Fest 2025 – Day 1 at Ole Red on June 05, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for Spotify)

Over at the Chevy Vibes Stage, fans were treated to performances from Shenandoah, Lauren Watkins, Dillon Carmichael, Dylan Schneider, Tiera Kennedy, Pam Tillis, Craig Campbell and Mark Wills. The Dr. Pepper Amp Stage was taken over by Josh Gracin, Iam Tongi, Ty Herndon, Danielle Bradbery, Lakeview, Kylie Morgan, Kaylee Rose and Owen Riegling.

Melanie Dyer, Preston Cooper, Mae Estes, Lanie Gardner, The Jack Wharff Band, Bryce Leatherwood, Matt Lang, Austin Williams and Will Mosley all lit up the Good Molecules Reverb Stage infront of Bridgestone Arena, while Liam St. John, Kevin Smiley, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Christian Hayes, Crowe Boys, Luke Borchelt, Troubadour Blue, O.N.E. The Duo, CeCe, Reid Haughton, Alli Walker, Leah Turner, RVSHVD, Brian Fuller, Frank Ray and Colt Graves all sang on the Hard Rock Stage.

Lauren Watkins performs at the Chevy Vibes Stage on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

In other places around the area, Ole Red brought back the famous Spotify House, with performances from Keith Urban, Thelma & James, Hudson Westbrook, Vincent Mason, Dylan Gossett, Noah Cyrus, Gavin Adcock, Sam Barber, Bailey Zimmerman, Zac Brown Band, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Eric Church and Marshmallow. Just above the main stage was the Fresh Finds Rooftop, where fans discovered rising artists Dylan Davidson, Gabriella Rose, Lanie Gardner, Dalton Davis, Julie Williams and Scott Wolverton.

Over at Chief’s SiriusXM’s The Highway hosted its Music Row Happy Hour: CMA Fest Edition. Appearances included Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Dasha, Bailey Zimmerman, Megan Moroney, Mitchell Tenpenny, Colbie Caillat, Katlin Butts and Josh Ross, among others.

Dylan Schneider performs at the Chevy Vibes Stage on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Warner Music Nashville took over Barstool Nashville with performances from Gavin Adcock, Gabby Barrett, Hudson Westbrook, Ian Munsick, Ingrid Andress, William Beckmann and Austin Snell with its annual Heatwave House.

Taking over Ryman Auditorium’s plaza stage was BMI’s annual BMI Block Party. Performers included Josh Weathers, Grace Tyler, Wynn Williams and Tyler Braden.

As the sun went down, Whiskey Jam took over Ascend Amphitheater for a large-scale Whiskey Jam show with Graham Barham, Vincent Mason, Edwin McCain, Lakeview, Ian Munsick, Colbie Caillat, Gabby Barrett and Randy Houser.

Buzz Brainard and Dasha attend SiriusXM The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour: CMA Fest Edition At Chief’s In Nashville at Chief’s on June 05, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Pictures (L-R): Mike Dupree (SVP Creative Director, Warner Music Nashville), Tom Martens (VP Radio Accounts, Warner Music Nashville), Clark Tedesco (VP Marketing, Warner Music Nashville), Ian Munsick, Stephanie Davenport (VP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Melissa McGreevy (Director Digital Marketing, Warner Music Nashville), Brooke Hardesty (VP Digital Marketing, Warner Music Nashville), Caroline Munsick (Not A Public Figure Management)

Tyler Braden headlines Day 1 of the Ryman and BMI Block Party on the PNC Plaza stage during CMA Fest. Photo Credit Erika Goldring for BMI

Thelma & James perform onstage at Spotify House at CMA Fest 2025 – Day 1 at Ole Red on June 05, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Spotify)

Preston Cooper performs at the Good Molecules Reverb Stage on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Colbie Caillat performs at Ascend Amphitheater on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Madison Hahnen
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