Excitement wafted through the air as country music was back! For the first time in three years, Country music fans flooded the streets of Nashville to celebrate the stars and up-and-comers of the genre.
The sweltering Tennessee heat wasn’t going to stop country music’s biggest party. Three years of waiting was worth it as newcomers had the opportunity to show fans what to expect while established stars reconnected.
From the high flying performance of Big Machine’s Conner Smith to a slew of first timers to the stadium show including BBR’s Lainey Wilson, the future of country music is in safe hands. Wilson proved to have a break out festival capping it off with a brilliant performance at Spotify’s pop up ‘Spotify House’ after performances at both Chevy’s Riverfront Stage and Nissan Stadium. While newer artists hoped to leave an impression on fans, the familiar names hoped to get back to the tradition they’d grown accustomed. Mainstays, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, turned in dazzling performances. Underwood, who released her latest album the night prior, gave fans everything and then some including performing new songs off of Denim & Rhinestones — her ninth studio album. Urban showed fans why he is always in the talks for (and won) entertainer of the year. Asking for all of the lights in Nissan to be shut off before jumping his way back to full spectacle with fans lighting him with their phones, in the meantime.
The most poignant moment was Wynonna Judd, of The Judds, came out to sing ‘Why Not Me’ with fellow Kentuckian, Carly Pearce, in tribute to her mother and duo partner, Naomi Judd. Pearce and Judd naturally traded lines and notes before Judd looked up into the stadium for a moment to take it in.
Other collaborations included Dierks Bentley and Elle King, previewing a new song that will be out later this summer; Lady A and Breland, Elle King and Ashley McBryde, as well as Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson.
Catch all of these performances and more later this summer on ABC.
Photos by: Kaylee Steffel
