Many fans are disappointed that CMA Fest 2020 has been canceled, but The Country Music Association announced two events that fans can watch from the comfort of their homes. The first event kicks off with “CMA Summer Stay-Cay presented by Budweiser Nitro Gold,” a live stream variety event hosted by chart-topping Country Artists Jimmie Allen and Lindsay Ell, broadcasting on CMA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page on July 1.
If you miss the good ol’ days of CMA Fest, you’ll especially love the second event. The Country Music Association is giving you a chance to relive the best CMA Fest moments of all time in a three-hour special airing on Thursday, July 13 on ABC.
CMA Summer Stay-Cay
More than 60 artists will participate in unique Q&As, performances, games and more. Here’s a sneak peek at just some of what you’ll see:
- “Women of Summer” performance featuring Lauren Alaina, Lindsay Ell and Cassadee Pope
- “Say It With A Song” Game with Lauren Alaina, Devin Dawson and HARDY
- Jason Aldean Video Premiere Party featuring the World Premiere of New Music Video “Got What I Got,” special Q&A, Tyler Farr hosting the game “Is This Something Aldean Sings?” with fans, and a special Aldean cover performance by 2020 CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipient Angie K
- Radio Disney Country “Disney Trivia” Challenge with Jimmie Allen and Lindsay Ell, hosted by Abby Anderson
- More than 30 one-of-a-kind new performances from artists including Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Travis Denning, Brett Eldredge, Chris Janson, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Scotty McCreery, Carly Pearce, Jameson Rodgers, Mitchell Tenpenny, Tenille Townes, Rita Wilson, and Brett Young, with special collaborations between Jimmie Allen and LANCO, Kassi Ashton and Jordan Davis, and Lee Brice and Carly Pearce
- Quick Chat with Gabby Barrett hosted by Radio Disney Country
- “Super Easy Trivia” with Bobby Bones featuring Blanco Brown, Kristian Bush, Jordan Davis, Gone West’s Colbie Caillat and Nelly Joy, Caylee Hammack, Scotty McCreery, Carly Pearce and Rita Wilson
- Brothers Osborne full band performance of “All Night” and fan Q&A
- CMA Fest Flashback with Eric Church remembering his epic mega-medley performance during CMA Fest 2019, with the never-before-seen full 27-minute acoustic performance available on CMA’s YouTube channel during the live stream
- “’90s Country Cover Challenge” with Russell Dickerson & Friends featuring Dustin Lynch and Carly Pearce
- Cocktails + Coffee, a worldly conversation with Morgan Evans and Friends
- The Bud Nitro Room pre-show performances with 2020 CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients Everette and Kylie Morgan
- “Who’s Next?” — a really random chat with Brantley Gilbert and surprise guests
- “Country Couples Challenge” with Jillian Jacqueline, Charlie Worsham and their spouses
- King Calaway hosts a special edition of “Nashville’s House Band Series” with special guest Darius Rucker
- Lady A special appearance and performance of “What If I Never Get Over You”
- Chris Lane has “Big, Big Plans” to congratulate two fans on their engagement
- Catching Up with Tracy Lawrence and Taste of Country’s Clay Moden
- Tour Buddy Challenge with Maddie & Tae hosted by CMT After MidNite’s Cody Alan
- Maddie & Tae performing their single “Bathroom Floor,” presented by Music Choice
- “An Old Fashioned Summer” Summer Cocktail Mixing with Ashley McBryde and Lainey Wilson
- “It’s Worth A Shot” Summer Cocktail Mixing with Midland
- Amazon Music hosts Jon Pardi’s performance of his Amazon Original, reimagined version of “Ain’t Always The Cowboy”
- Quick Chat with Rascal Flatts about their 20 years as a group
- “Honkytonk Tuesday…on a Wednesday!” with Michael Ray featuring special guest Craig Morgan
- Quick Chat with Granger Smith hosted by Elaina Smith of Westwood One Nashville’s Nights with Elaina
- Cole Swindell surprises a Bachelorette Party and performs two of his hit songs
- “Who Knows Their Bandmate Best?” with The Reklaws and The Shires
- Quick Chat with Tenille Townes
- Stay tuned for additional segments to be announced soon!
CMA Fest App: Get More Content
The CMA Fest app has been updated for “CMA Summer Stay-Cay presented by Budweiser Nitro Gold” and features the live stream lineup, merchandise, playlists, donations for the CMA Foundation and more. Users will even be able to watch the live stream in the app by selecting “Watch” in the menu.
Win a Trip to CMA Fest 2020
CMA Fan Access is also now available for Country fans to register for a chance to win a trip to CMA Fest in 2021, including front row seats for the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium, airfare, hotel and more. Once registered, fans can participate in activities for even more chances to win by watching “CMA Summer Stay-Cay presented by Budweiser Nitro Gold” to discover clue words. Prizes include merchandise packs, an autographed guitar with more than 50 signatures and an additional trip for two to next year’s CMA Fest.
CMA’s Country Summer Nights Playlist
July 13: “Best of Fest” on ABC (New Date)
Country Music superstar Luke Bryan hosts “CMA Best of Fest,” a three-hour retrospective airing Thursday, July 13 at 8/7c on the ABC Television Network.
Editor’s note: the date was previously July 9, but has moved to July 13.
The live concert experience features more than 25 unforgettable performances having aired on television over the last 16 years of “CMA Fest,” plus a brand new, not-to-be-missed performance with Bryan and special guest Darius Rucker.
Artists appearing in the TV special include:
- Trace Adkins
- Lauren Alaina
- Jason Aldean
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Dierks Bentley
- Garth Brooks
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Kane Brown
- Luke Bryan
- Kenny Chesney
- Eric Church
- Luke Combs
- Billy Ray Cyrus
- Dan + Shay
- Lzzy Hale
- Sam Hunt
- Joan Jett
- Lady A
- Miranda Lambert
- Lil Nas X
- Little Big Town
- Tim McGraw
- Maren Morris
- Brad Paisley
- Rascal Flatts
- Thomas Rhett
- Darius Rucker
- Blake Shelton
- Carrie Underwood
- Keith Urban
- Dwight Yoakam
- Zac Brown Band
Special Appearances By:
- Bobby Bones
- Jim Gaffigan
- Kirk Herbstreit
- Peyton Manning
- Lionel Richie
- Rob Riggle
- Gwen Stefani
- Michael Strahan
- Rita Wilson
Both events celebrate the legacy of CMA Fest, the world’s longest-running Country Music festival taking place in Nashville annually since 1972, which was postponed this year due to safety concerns amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. CMA Fest will return to downtown Nashville June 10-13, 2021.
-The Country Music Association