Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
CMA Fest 2025 kicked off with a bang on Night 1 (Thursday, June 5th) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, featuring powerhouse performances from country music giants and rising stars alike.
Highlights of the evening included:
- Jason Aldean: The 30-time chart-topper celebrated his latest hit “Whiskey Drink” and delivered a fan-favorite performance, even bringing out country icon Travis Tritt for a duet of “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive.” Aldean’s signature sledgehammer sound kept the crowd engaged with hits like “Dirt Road Anthem” and “My Kinda Party.”
- Brooks & Dunn: The Country Music Hall of Famers, celebrating their 35th year as a duo, showcased their enduring talent. They were joined by Lainey Wilson for a performance of “Play Something Country” and Southern rocker Marcus King for “Rock My World (Little Country Girl),” demonstrating their continued influence and collaborative spirit.
- Riley Green: A newer fan favorite, Riley Green energized the stadium with his set, including the hit “Worst Way.” He also shared the stage with Ella Langley for their popular duet “You Look Like You Love Me,” which had the 50,000-strong crowd singing along.
- Ella Langley: Beyond her duet with Riley Green, Langley also had her own moments to shine, showcasing why she’s a rapidly rising star in country music.
- Megan Moroney: The 2024 CMA Best New Artist kicked off the festival with a nine-song set, proving why she’s a force to be reckoned with in the current country music scene.
Other notable artists who performed on Night 1 at Nissan Stadium included Darius Rucker and Scotty McCreery.
CMA Fest 2025 runs from Thursday, June 5th, to Sunday, June 8th, promising four days and nights of live music across various stages in downtown Nashville.
Video