CMA Fest Night Three: Rascal Flatts, Jordan Davis, Megan Moroney, More Fill Nissan With Emotion & Nostalgia

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Carly Pearce performs with Rascal Flatts at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Night three of CMA Fest was a masterclass in what makes country music special. As the sun dipped behind downtown Nashville, the energy inside the stadium surged with anticipation, and by the end of the night, fans had experienced a lineup that honored legends, introduced breakout stars and left no emotion untouched.

Jordan Davis performs at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Deana Carter opened the night with a wave of ’90s nostalgia. Her set began with “How Do I Get There,” pulling the crowd into a time when country radio was ruled by female voices. She followed with “If This Is Love” and the cheeky “Did I Shave My Legs for This?,” which brought applause throughout the stadium. With “Count Me In” and the joyful “We Danced Anyway,” Carter reminded everyone of the feel-good country that defined an era. She closed out with her timeless “Strawberry Wine,” with a sea of voices joining her, proving that some songs never lose their magic.

The tone shifted as The Red Clay Strays brought their gritty Southern rock edge to the stage. Opening with the moody “Wondering Why” and the haunting “Drowning,” the band immediately captivated fans unfamiliar with their sound. “I’m Still Fine” showcased lead singer Brandon Coleman’s soulful vocals, while “Wanna Be Loved” and “Stone’s Throw” revealed the group’s versatility, blending bluesy swagger with heartfelt lyricism. They closed with “No One Else Like Me,” earning a roar of approval from the crowd and solidifying their place as one of the festival’s breakout acts.

Megan Moroney performs at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Over on the platform stage, Tiera Kennedy delivered a powerful performance. Both her tunes “Keep Your Promises” and “Somebody Like You” displayed her confident vocals and contemporary songwriting style.

The stadium lights dimmed and fans erupted as Blake Shelton made his entrance, launching into the anthemic “Texas.” With his unmistakable charisma, Shelton kept the energy high through “Stay Country or Die Trying,” before slowing things down for his classic ballad “Austin,” which was met with thunderous applause and heartfelt singalongs. Then came the surprise of the night, as country veteran Trace Adkins strode out solo for a booming performance of “Honkytonk Badonkadonk,” bringing the party atmosphere to a whole new level. The two longtime friends then joined forces on “Hell Right” and “Hillbilly Bone,” turning the stage into a southern-style throwdown.

As fans caught their breath, Carter Faith took to the platform stage and delivered a quiet storm of emotion. “Grudge” has the crowd humming along, and “Sails” added a touch of poetic introspection to the night.

Carter Faith performs at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Back on the main stage, Megan Moroney lit it up with a bold, emotionally honest set. She opened with the dreamy “Man on the Moon,” followed by “Indifferent,” revealing the strength behind her voice. Her performance of “No Caller ID” resonated deeply with fans, while “Tennessee Orange” brought the house down with one of the night’s loudest singalongs. She closed with “Am I Okay?,” which Moroney revealed is officially now her second No. 1 single on country radio.

Then it was time for hitmaker Jordan Davis, who wasted no time launching into “I Ain’t Sayin’,” setting the tone for a set packed with crowd-pleasers. “Take It From Me” and “Singles You Up” turned Nissan Stadium into a dance floor, while “Next Thing You Know” pulled the audience into the beauty of life. He kept the hits coming with “Bar None” and “Buy Dirt,” the latter earning a full-stadium singalong. He ended with “What My World Spins Around,” a perfect closer that summed up his ability to balance energy, emotion and melody.

The night reached its peak as Rascal Flatts returned to the CMA Fest stage in a long-awaited reunion. They launched into “Yours If You Want It” and “Fast Cars & Freedom,” showcasing the harmonies and charisma that made them one of the biggest country groups of the 2000s. In one of the most touching moments of the night, they invited Carly Pearce onstage for a duet of “My Wish.” They continued with “I Dare You” and a powerful rendition of “What Hurts the Most.” To close their unforgettable set, they turned up the volume with “Life Is a Highway,” sending the stadium into a final frenzy of cheers and dancing.

Trace Adkins performs with Blake Shelton at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Tiera Kennedy performs at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

The Red Clay Strays performs at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Deana Carter performs at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 7, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Madison Hahnen
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