Keith Urban performs at Nissan Stadium on Friday, June 6, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Fans packed Nissan Stadium on Friday night (June 6) for the second night of the 52nd CMA Fest, eager for a star-studded lineup despite earlier weather delays.

Multi-hyphenate artist Rita Wilson kicked off the evening with an energetic performance of her pop anthem “The Spark.” She followed it up with “W.O.W. (Wild Ol’ Woman),” rallying fans of all ages to dance along. “You can be 18, 21, 25, 55, or 65—you can all be a wild ol’ woman!” she declared to roaring applause.

Jelly Roll performs with Shaboozey at Nissan Stadium on Friday, June 6, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Next up was Shaboozey, riding the high of a breakout year that saw “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” go multi-Platinum and earn five Grammy nominations. Dressed in plaid-stitched jeans, he opened with lead single “Good News” before surprising the crowd by bringing out Jelly Roll for a live rendition of their collaboration, “Amen.” He closed his set with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” with the entire stadium singing along.

Over on the platform stage, Kameron Marlowe kept the energy high with performances of “Seventeen” and “Tennessee Don’t Mind,” as crews prepped the main stage for the next act.

Parker McCollum followed, opening with “What Kinda Man” and satisfying fans with a string of hits including “Handle On You,” “Pretty Heart” and new song “Big Sky.”

Cody Johnson performs at Nissan Stadium on Friday, June 6, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Back on the satellite stage, newcomer Sam Barber delivered a raw, emotionally-charged version of “Straight and Narrow,” marked by gravelly vocals and a worn-in guitar that added grit to the performance.

Wearing his signature white cowboy hat, Cody Johnson took the main stage with a powerful performance of “The Fall,” followed by his 2025 ACM Song of the Year winner, “Dirt Cheap.” He then welcomed Carín León for a duet on “Hurts Like Tequila,” and wrapped up with his five-times Platinum hit, “‘Til You Can’t,” thanking fans for their unwavering support of country music.

A surprise moment followed at midfield, where Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll performed “Hard Fought Hallelujah” surrounded by a full choir, while drones lit up the sky to form a glowing cross. “God is here tonight, Nashville!” Jelly Roll shouted, igniting a spiritual surge through the stadium.

Noah Kahan performs with Kelsea Ballerini at Nissan Stadium on Friday, June 6, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Kelsea Ballerini took the stage in an aquamarine-striped jumpsuit, performing “Blindsided” and “Baggage” before inviting Noah Kahan to join her for their collaboration, “Cowboys Cry Too.” The crowd went wild—and even more so when Kahan stayed onstage to play his viral hit “Stick Season,” joking, “If you haven’t heard the words, you haven’t been in a Target in the last four years.”

Closing out the night was country powerhouse Keith Urban, delivering the most electric set of the evening. He kicked things off with “Long Hot Summer,” complete with a fiery guitar solo, then rolled into “Straight Line,” “Somewhere in My Car,” “Love Somebody Like You” and “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” ending the rain-soaked night on a triumphant high.

Brooks & Dunn performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

The 52nd CMA Fest kicked off on Thursday (June 5) with a packed night of performances at Nissan Stadium, as fans from around the globe gathered for country music’s biggest party.

Singer K. Michelle opened the evening with a powerful rendition of the national anthem, setting the tone for an emotional and celebratory night.

Jason Aldean performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Charles Esten was first to take the stage. The singer-songwriter and Nashville TV star welcomed former castmates Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio to join him for a nostalgic reunion, including a performance of “Down the Road.”

Buzzy newcomer Ella Langley followed, holding her own with stadium-ready vocals on “Paint The Town Blue,” “Girl You’re Taking Home” and “Weren’t For The Wind.” She amped up the energy by inviting Riley Green out for their chart-topping, ACM Award-winning duet “You Look Like You Love Me.”

Green kept the momentum going with a well-received set that included fan favorites “Different ’Round Here,” “There Was This Girl” and “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” He brought a hush over the crowd with “Jesus Saves,” a solo write inspired by “a guy sitting on the side of the road here in Nashville, Tennessee.” Langley returned to join him on another duet, “Don’t Mind If I Do,” and Green closed with the swoon-worthy “Worst Way,” earning cheers from the women shown on the big screen.

Riley Green performs with Ella Langley at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Throughout the night, fans were treated to additional performances on a satellite stage in the stadium. Sister duo Tigirlily Gold energized with “Shoot Tequila” and “Forever From Here,” while Max McNown shared his country-folk style on “A Lot More Free” and “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes).”

Scotty McCreery also took to a special stage in the middle of the stadium floor, delivering beloved hits “Five More Minutes” and “Damn Strait.”

Darius Rucker kept things warm and nostalgic with “When Was the Last Time,” “Come Back Song,” “Alright,” and “Beers and Sunshine.” He thrilled fans with the Hootie classic “Only Wanna Be With You,” and closed with his Diamond-certified smash “Wagon Wheel,” turning the stadium into a full-on singalong.

The energy climbed even higher when Country Music Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn hit the stage. They opened with “Play Something Country” and a surprise appearance from Lainey Wilson. Their run of timeless hits—including “Red Dirt Road,” “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You,” “Neon Moon” and “My Maria”—was full of playful moments, from the lingering last note of “Neon Moon” to the soaring falsettos of “My Maria.” In another standout moment, they brought out country-rocker Marcus King for a fiery take on “Rock My World (Little Country Girl).”

Darius Rucker performs at Nissan Stadium on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville.

Just after midnight, Jason Aldean took the stage to close the night with a jolt of energy. He powered through hits like “Hicktown,” “Dirt Road Anthem,” “My Kinda Party,” and his new chart-topper “Whiskey Drink,” which became his 30th No. 1 just last week. He capped his set by inviting fellow Georgia native Travis Tritt to join him for a rousing rendition of “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive.”

The music continues tonight, as CMA Fest rolls on with another full day and night of unforgettable moments.

The latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly captures a flurry of major industry news, spotlighting significant executive shifts and landmark signings. Click here to see the full edition.

At Music Corporation of America (MCA), Rob Femia has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer, adding the title to his existing role as Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs. Femia now oversees operations across the label group’s roster, which includes EMI Records Nashville, Lucille Records, Mercury Nashville, and MCA Nashville.

On the radio front, Big Loud Records has made a notable addition with the hiring of veteran broadcaster Lauren “LT” Thomas as Senior Vice President, Radio Promotion. She joins recently promoted SVP Tyler Waugh and will report directly to EVP Stacy Blythe.

WME is also making strategic moves, announcing that industry veteran Leslie Cohea will join as Partner and Music Touring Executive. Cohea officially starts on July 14.

Taylor Swift revealed that she has bought back her master recording catalog from Shamrock Capital, securing ownership of her six original studio albums. In a letter posted to her website, Swift described the acquisition as a deeply personal victory in her fight for artist control and ownership.

Country star Kane Brown is branching out into film with his feature debut in the upcoming romantic comedy The Token Groomsman. Starring alongside Taylor Lautner, Brown will play Neil, the loyal and humorous best friend who guides Lautner’s character through a chaotic weekend pursuit of money and love.

Celebrated singer-songwriter Lori McKenna has renewed her long-standing relationship with Creative Nation, extending her publishing, management, and record deals with the independent company.

Hudson Westbrook has signed a record deal with River House Artists in partnership with Warner Music Nashville, while Cole Goodwin has signed a record deal with Big Machine Records.

Leadership Music has announced its incoming Class of 2026, welcoming 46 new members to its prestigious program. Beginning in October, participants will engage in an eight-month journey to gain comprehensive insight into the music industry, fostering cross-functional knowledge and deep networking opportunities.

Post Malone is stepping further into Nashville’s cultural landscape with plans to open a massive new entertainment venue at 305 Broadway. In partnership with TC Restaurant Group, the 26,000-square-foot space will boast six bars, three stages, a full-service restaurant, and a rooftop. The site is under renovation with a focus on preserving its historic architecture, and once complete, it will feature the largest ground-floor footprint on Broadway.

On the publishing side, Micah Wilshire has inked an exclusive, global deal with Universal Music Publishing Group, while Sony Music Publishing has secured two new signees: Joe Reeves and country artist Frank Ray, who joins under a worldwide agreement. Presley Barker has also joined Universal Music Publishing Nashville with an exclusive publishing deal.

Riser House Entertainment is expanding its internal team, adding three new members across key departments. Alex Heimerman has been named Vice President, Streaming & Strategic Partnerships. Hayley Irvine comes on board as Product Manager, and Eliza Charette joins as Project and Label Relations Coordinator.

In agency news, Jayson Entertainment Group has announced the creation of a new agency division, to be led by Matt Malcolm. His leadership will guide the company’s efforts to expand its footprint in artist representation and booking.

One of the more unique partnerships this week comes from Spirit Music Group, which has launched a joint publishing venture with NFL star DeAndre Hopkins and music exec Erik Belz. The new venture, LASA Music, will be led creatively by Belz, and has announced its flagship signing: Lecade. The deal includes select catalog songs and future works, marking a bold crossover between sports and music.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Morgan Wallen takes the No. 1 spot with “Just In Case.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.