After forcing to postponement for two years due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the 2022 CMA Music Festival returned to Downtown Nashville for four sun-soaked days and nights back in June.
With more than 80,000 fans from all 50 states and a record-breaking 39 foreign countries in attendance, CMA Fest was definitely one for the books as it featured sold-out shows, surprise collaborations and new music discovery.
Artists like Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Alan Jackson, Old Dominion, Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, Billy Ray Cyrus, Elle King, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett, Kelsea Ballerini, Parker McCollum, Darius Rucker, Zac Brown Band, Marcus King, King Calaway, Dustin Lynch, MacKenzie Porter, Wynonna Judd, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell, Lainey Wilson, Ashley McBryde, and Sara Evans were among the staggering list of top-tier performers that brought their greatest hits to multiple stages across the city — and thanks to CMA — fans in attendance (plus those who couldn’t make it to Nashville) could experience it all with a CMA Fest TV special tonight (August 3) on ABC.
The three-hour primetime concert special, bringing Country Music’s Ultimate Fan Experience to a national television audience, will be hosted by first-time emcees Dierks Bentley and Elle King.
“When Dierks and Elle first performed together at Fest in 2016, I knew they had something special,” said “CMA Fest” Executive Producer Robert Deaton in a press statement. “The festival itself may be over, but thanks to these two, along with a solid slate of performances and special collaborations, the party continues in homes across America. It was a fun challenge to think differently with our setup these last two years, but it felt great to be back with a full house at the stadium.”
“I think Elle brings so much to the table,” added Bentley. “Onstage she’s just a riot and also super talented – a great combination of talent with comedic humor. A lot of spontaneous moments between the two of us and just a lot of laughs.”
Tonight, viewers will get to see Dierks perform his iconic hit “Drunk On A Plane,” along with a special collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus to sing “Achy Breaky Heart.”
When speaking with Celeb Secrets reporter Ilana Epstein in a media session, Dierks said connecting and performing with Billy Ray was his favorite moment of not only this year’s fest, but of any CMA Fest he’s ever played throughout his career.
“Just being onstage with [Billy Ray] was definitely my favorite moment [of CMA Fest],” he shared. “It was a full-circle life moment for me because I was always such a huge fan of his. He’s got so many great songs besides the big ones you know about and I’ve always loved his vibe.”
Detailing what show day was like, Bentley recalled, “He drove himself down with his old van and his dogs in the back [on show day]. [Billy Ray] has had all this success… he can be this total LA Hollywood-type person with all his TV success, but he’s still just this guy from Kentucky.”
“Getting a chance to sing that song with him on that stage in front of that audience was a big deal for me and the band. It was definitely a highlight of the whole CMA Fest, of any CMA Fest we’ve ever played.”
It’s been a busy summer for Dierks, as the 47-year-old just released his new single “Gold” on Friday (July 29), which can be heard on his upcoming tenth studio album of the same name. It follows his 21st consecutive No. 1 on Country Radio, “Beers On Me,” which features newcomers HARDY and BRELAND.
Currently, the country music star is on the road with his BEERS ON ME TOUR with special guests Ashley McBryde and Travis Denning, as the 31-city trek also includes Charlie Worsham in Bentley’s band. Additionally, Bentley’s SEVEN PEAKS MUSIC FESTIVAL will officially take place for a third time, this Labor Day Weekend, September 2-4, in a new scenic setting of San Luis Valley in Villa Grove, CO and you can read more about it here.
For more on Dierks Bentley, make sure to watch our full interview with him below, and don’t forget to catch CMA Fest TONIGHT, August 3rd @ 8/7c on ABC, plus streaming on Hulu the following day.
For more coverage from CMA Fest, click here. For more Country news, visit CelebSecretsCountry.com.
With reporting by Ilana Epstein.
