Rachel Whitney, Head of Editorial, Nashville at Spotify

Spotify has revealed more details ahead of its highly anticipated Spotify House takeover at Blake Shelton and Opry Entertainment Group’s Ole Red for CMA Fest. The festivities will take place June 8-11.

“We are thrilled to be returning to CMA Fest for a fourth year with our marquee four-day country music showcase, Spotify House! We are once again taking over Ole Red in downtown Nashville,” Head of Editorial, Nashville at Spotify, Rachel Whitney, shares with MusicRow. “This year’s lineup is a stellar mix of emerging artists, country stars and surprise special performances throughout the weekend. We are so grateful to the incredible artists who grace our stages and for the enthusiasm of the country fans who make Spotify House one of the top destinations at CMA Fest each year. ”

Previously announced performers for Spotify House include Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley, Hailey Whitters, Ingrid Andress, Jordan Davis, Luke Grimes, Mickey Guyton, Old Dominion, Lady A, Ruston Kelly, Alana Springsteen, Ashley Cooke, Avery Anna, Brett Young, Brian Kelley, Chase Rice, Chayce Beckham, Chris Young, Colbie Caillat, Conner Smith, Dalton Dover, Danielle Bradbery, Dylan Marlowe, Dylan Schneider, Ella Langley, Ian Munsick, Jon Pardi, Josh Ross, Kameron Marlowe, Kylie Morgan, Lily Rose, Mackenzie Carpenter, Mitchell Tenpenny, Restless Road, Riley Green, Sam Hunt, Tanner Adell, Tenille Arts, Warren Zeiders and 49 Winchester.

Spotify House will also treat fans who want to show off their latest country dance moves to several exclusive late night DJ sets including Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley and Cheat Codes + Friends.

Additionally, Spotify is bringing back the Fresh Finds Stage to the rooftop of Ole Red, presenting a nightly lineup of new and emerging country music artists that fans can also find on the Fresh Finds Country playlist.

Whitney shares, “We are bringing back the Fresh Finds Country Stage for a second year at Spotify House rooftop. We are dedicated to supporting emerging independent artists year-round and this lineup will give fans the opportunity to discover some of the incredible young talent we have our eye on. Spotify House will also treat fans to exclusive late night DJ sets, inspired by our Country Club playlist, including Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley and Cheat Codes + Friends, so there is sure to be something for every type of country music fan.”

Thursday’s Fresh Finds Stage will include sets from Mae Estes, Logan Crosby, Lauren Watkins, Sam Barber, Nolan Taylor and Wyatt Flores. Friday night will feature music from Graham Barham, Abbey Cone, Grant Gilbert, Halle Kearns, Harper Grace and Payton Smith. Saturday night will include Haley Mae Campbell, David Unlayao, Rodell Duff, Meg McRee, Griffen Palmer and Dipper. Sunday night’s lineup includes Matt Schuster, Shelby Darrall, Wyatt McCubbin, Angel White, Kasey Tyndall and Shaylen.

Whitney says that other surprise performances are bound to happen.

“We always like to treat fans to surprise performances during CMA Fest weekend and are delighted to be partnering with CMA this year to present four special surprise sets throughout the weekend at Ole Red to mark the 50th anniversary. It’s still a secret who the artists are but fans will not be disappointed and should stay tuned for our announcements later this week!”

Pictured (L-R): Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Elle King. Photo: Robby Klein for CMA/ABC

CMA Fest, the three-hour primetime concert special set to be filmed during CMA Fest’s milestone 50th anniversary in Nashville later this week, will air on July 19 on ABC.

Hosted by Dierks Bentley, Elle King and Lainey Wilson and airing at 7 p.m. CT, the special will feature never-before-seen performances and surprise collaborations from some of country’s hottest acts.

“I could not be more excited to welcome Dierks, Elle and Lainey as our CMA Fest hosts this year,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “As fans experienced last year, the energy Dierks and Elle bring to the stage is palpable and will only be amplified with the addition of Lainey this year. Each of these artists have a deep passion for CMA Fest and the country music fans from around the globe who travel to Nashville for the event. We are thrilled to have all three of them together to help us celebrate 50 years!”

Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer and Writer for CMA Fest, and Alan Carter is the Director. 2023 marks the 20th consecutive year CMA has produced a summer concert TV special.

Emily Ann Roberts

Emily Ann Roberts has been singing for as long as she can remember. Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, she recalls driving around with her father listening to bluegrass records and picking out the harmonies while in a carseat. Inspired by greats such as Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless and Dolly Parton, among others, Roberts mixes definitive country elements with her warm spirit to create a sweet and classic sound all her own.

From flaming tracks such as “He Set Her Off” to tunes about the simple life and adoring love songs like her latest release “Infinity,” out today (June 2), she covers the story-telling spectrum with the velvety twang of her vocals. Roberts recently visited MusicRow, accompanied by fiddle player Ivy Phillips, to share her work as well as her journey thus far.

Emily Ann Roberts with MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Courtesy of MusicRow

She had a gig at a local Mexican restaurant for three years before she began performing for people across the nation on season nine of NBC’s The Voice as a member of Blake Shelton‘s team in 2015. Still in high school, Roberts made it all the way to the finals and finished as the season’s runner-up. She notes how grateful she is for the experience and the knowledge she gained from it, as it was her first taste of the music business.

“I hadn’t had any vocal training before I went on The Voice, and there was a vocal coach [we worked with] on my season, so I learned a lot from her,” said Roberts. She continued, “All the songs I sang on the show were old country and Blake loved that.

“He [told] me ‘You’ve got to do what feels real to you, that’s the only thing people are going to believe.’ He was so encouraging and told me time and time again how much he believed in me. He’s so down-to-earth and that was good for me to see. If I ever have a bunch of hit songs on the radio, I hope I treat other people the way he treats them.”

During the season’s finale, Roberts got the chance to sing “Country Boy” with one of her musical influences Skaggs, who will make a special appearance on her forthcoming project along with country icon Vince Gill.

After the show wrapped, Roberts graduated and made her way to Music City in the summer of 2016. She signed with Starstruck Management and began writing. Roberts since has graced the Grand Ole Opry stage 16 times and recently expanded her team by signing with UTA. Working alongside co-writers and producer Trent Willmon, she is currently prepping to release her first full-length album.

The collection will feature previously released single “He Set Her Off,” a riotous tune about a scorned wife seeking revenge. Roberts is an honorary member of a volunteer fire department in Seymour, Tennessee and was able to actually burn a vacant house down as part of a training fire while filming the song’s music video.

Also included in the new project is “Whole Lotta Little,” which the artist co-wrote with Willmon and Jeremy Spillman. The catchy number centers around the joy of life’s little things, and talks about being happy with what you’ve got and where you are.

Following the October release of “Whole Lotta Little,” she shared an additional single set to appear on the record, “The Building”. As the music video takes place in the “Mother Church of Country Music,” the touching tune describes the personal impact Roberts’ hometown church has had on her and her family. She wrote the song with Michael Farren, who had similar relationship with his church growing up. Unbeknownst to Roberts at the time of writing, her church was set to celebrate its 100th anniversary the same year, and she was able to perform it for the congression during the celebration.

“If I had to pick a song that meant the most to me, [that] one would be up there [near the top],” she states.

Roberts has now unveiled another album track, “Infinity.” She wrote the soothing, devoted song with Stephanie Chapman about her high school sweetheart and husband Chris.

“This was the first time Stephanie and I were writing one on one. It was just us, and right away we started with girl talk. She asked me if I had a boyfriend. I said yes. She asked, ‘Well, is he the one?’ When I told her he was, she wanted to know how I knew. I said that forever doesn’t seem like long enough to love him. And from there, this song came to us. I sang it for my sister’s first dance at her wedding, then at mine, the string quartet played this for me to walk down the aisle. My husband is so humble, but he was definitely the inspiration. We met in Spanish class in high school and we’ve been together ever since. He is such a steady force in my life. He truly is my better half and my best friend. When you find your person, forever just doesn’t feel like long enough,” shares Roberts.

Additionally, the vibrant southern belle will kick off CMA Fest with a full-band performance at Station Inn on Wednesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. She’ll then take the Hard Rock Stage at the Hard Rock Cafe at 10:55 a.m. on Thursday, June 8 for a free outdoor show.