CMA Fest is finally here, and while the stadium shows and big-name headliners get plenty of attention, some of the most exciting performances happen on the free stages scattered across downtown Nashville. If you love discovering the next wave of country music stars, especially those keeping traditional country alive, this is your moment. These 18 emerging artists are bringing grit, heart, and honky-tonk soul to the festival. Many of them lean toward traditional country and have been featured on our Artists to Watch list. Whether you’re attending in person or following from afar, this list is your guide to who’s next in country music.
Additionally, if you’re a fan of classic hits and timeless voices, don’t miss the country stars you know and love lighting up the free stages this year. CMA Fest is bringing back some of your favorite names from the 2000s and beyond, including Rodney Atkins, Jerrod Niemann, and Thompson Square. You’ll also catch legends like Pam Tillis (yes, “Maybe It Was Memphis” Pam Tillis) alongside beloved acts like Lorrie Morgan, Shenandoah, Darryl Worley, and Jamie O’Neal. Whether you grew up with these songs or just discovered them, these performances are your chance to sing along to some of country’s most memorable hits, without spending a dime.
Rising Artists at CMA Fest
1. Jake Worthington
Saturday, Jun 7, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Fan Fair X
Saturday, Jun 7, 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Dr Pepper Amp Stage
2. Emily Ann Roberts
Thursday, Jun 5 , 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
CMA Close Up Stage
Saturday, Jun 7, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Fan Fair X
Saturday, Jun 7, 3:25 PM – 3:55 PM
Dr Pepper Amp Stage
3. Scotty Hasting
Thursday, Jun 5 , 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
Spotlight Stage
Thursday, Jun 5 , 11:50 AM – 12:20 PM
Spotlight Stage
Thursday, Jun 5 , 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Fan Fair X
Saturday, Jun 7, 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Fan Fair X
4. Gavin Adcock
Thursday, Jun 5 , 3:10 PM – 3:40 PM
Chevy Riverfront Stage
5. Drew Baldridge
Thursday, Jun 5 , 12:40 PM – 1:10 PM
Chevy Riverfront Stage
Thursday, Jun 5 , 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
CMA Close Up Stage
Sunday, Jun 8, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Fan Fair X
6. Randall King
Thursday, Jun 5 , 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Fan Fair X
Thursday, Jun 5 , 5:40 PM – 6:10 PM
Chevy Riverfront Stage
7. Midland
Friday, Jun 6, 4:50 PM – 5:20 PM
Chevy Riverfront Stage
8. Braxton Keith
Sunday, Jun 8, 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Dr Pepper Amp Stage
Sunday, Jun 8, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Fan Fair X
9. Dillon Carmichael
Thursday, Jun 5 , 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Fan Fair X
Thursday, Jun 5 , 1:10 PM – 1:40 PM
Chevy Vibes Stage
10. Ashland Craft
Sunday, Jun 8, 5:20 PM – 5:50 PM
Chevy Vibes Stage
11. Jade Eagleson
Saturday, Jun 7, 1:10 PM – 1:40 PM
Chevy Vibes Stage
Saturday, Jun 7, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Fan Fair X
12. Drake Milligan
Sunday, Jun 8, 3:40 PM – 4:10 PM
Chevy Vibes Stage
13. Willow Avalon
Sunday, Jun 8, 12:30 PM – 12:55 PM
Good Molecules Reverb Stage
14. Preston Cooper
Thursday, Jun 5 , 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM
Good Molecules Reverb Stage
15. Mae Estes
Thursday, Jun 5 , 12:30 PM – 12:55 PM
Good Molecules Reverb Stage
Thursday, Jun 5 , 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Fan Fair X
Friday, Jun 6, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Fan Fair X
Friday, Jun 6, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
The Listening Room Presents: The Stories Behind the Songs with Chris Blair
CMA Close Up Stage
16. Carter Faith
Friday, Jun 6, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Fan Fair X
Friday, Jun 6, 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM
Good Molecules Reverb Stage
Friday, Jun 6, 7:00 PM – 10:40 PM
Jake Owen and Friends
Ascend Amphitheater
Saturday, Jun 7, 9:40 PM – 9:50 PM
*Nissan Stadium Platform Stage
17. Bryce Leatherwood
Thursday, Jun 5 , 2:45 PM – 3:10 PM
Good Molecules Reverb Stage
Thursday, Jun 5 , 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Fan Fair X
18. Walker Montgomery
Friday, Jun 6, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Fan Fair X
Friday, Jun 6, 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
Fan Fair X
Saturday, Jun 7, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Fan Fair X
Saturday, Jun 7, 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM
Good Molecules Reverb Stage
Check out the Playlist 🎧
To make it even easier to explore these artists, we’ve put together a Spotify playlist featuring standout tracks from each of them. It’s the perfect soundtrack for your road trip to Nashville or for daydreaming about CMA Fest from wherever you are. Hit play, turn it up loud, and discover your new favorite, before everyone else does. Additionally, we’ve included a ton of other artists on the list, some of which you may know and love!
The beauty of CMA Fest isn’t just in the star-studded lineups, it’s in the discovery, the stories, and the energy that up-and-coming artists bring to the stage. These 18 performers are proving that the future of country music is bright, bold, and deeply rooted in tradition. If you catch one of their sets (or fall in love with their songs on the playlist), tag us on social — we’d love to hear who stood out to you. And if you want more curated recommendations like this, follow along here at Country Evolution for artist spotlights, festival coverage, and real country music content all year long.
