CMA Fest 2023 updates: Miranda Lambert, Avril Lavigne rock 'Sk8er Boi'

Jan 11, 2024

CMA Fest is back and the streets of downtown Nashville will be filled with thousands of fans and country music for the next four days.

For the locals who want to be reminded where all the road closures are, we've got you. For the fans who want to keep up with the artists they missed, we're also here for you.

Miss Day 1? Here are the highlights:Lainey Wilson and 8 other can't miss acts to see on Day One

Follow along here for the Tennessean's live coverage of the artists, weather, fashion and other highlights from the festival.

Jelly Roll's redemptive journey from Nashville's social fringes and incarceration to the city's pinnacle stages reached CMA Fest, with announced appearance inside the NFL stadium where, for years, he was relegated to the cheap seats.

The rapper-turned-country star made his CMA Fest debut, performing his 2023 No. 1 hit "Son of A Sinner" and new radio single "I Need A Favor" on an elevated spot-lit stage on Nissan Stadium's 50-yard-line.

Thirty-four years after attending his first Fan Fair and 14 years after being released from prison, Jason DeFord sang country songs he wrote in front of over 50,000 people.

"It actually means a lot to me that the kids in the juvenile jail in Parking Lot A are gonna hear this," he told The Tennessean before his surprise appearance.

Of the 40-plus times he's been in jail over 38 years of life, many have been in the corrections facility located next to the juvenile court located adjacent to Nissan Stadium.

"[My success] just keeps on going. I wake up every day with a dream, and before I'm out of bed, it's happening," he said of his impressive surge in national renown.

Instead of Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert had other ideas for a collaborative partner on the rendition of her 2014 single "Something Bad" she just performed at Nissan Stadium.

Canadian pop superstar Avril Lavigne.

The "Sk8er Boi" singer at a country festival?

It's not that far-fetched.

During 2022's ACM Honors, Shania Twain was celebrated by Lavigne and Kelsea Ballerini making guest appearances.

As far as the previously-mentioned "Sk8er Boi?" Instead of another Lambert hit, Lavigne sang a 90-second snippet of her two-decade-old mega-hit.

Alongside Leon Bridges performing his new Lambert collaboration "If You Were Mine" with the ten-time chart-topper surprises continue to stun the capacity crowd in attendance at Nissan Stadium.

Cody Johnson, the rodeo outlaw-turned-CMA-award-winning superstar, likely surprised many of the tens of thousands in attendance at Nissan Stadium.

However, those well cognizant of (and also having lived) the Western-to-country tradition -- like his special guest Reba McEntire -- were in no way surprised that emerging star Johnson didn't make his CMA Fest debut on Lower Broadway, but rather a boat ride across the Cumberland River away.

Yes, Reba McEntire sang her 1986 classic "Whoever's In New England" with Johnson at Nissan Stadium. Her unannounced appearance on the CMA Fest stage drew a collective, piercing shriek from a genuinely shocked crowd. As one would expect, the crescendo build from Johnson's mournful drawl to McEntire's soulful shot made it a dynamic performance worthy of a jet-engine roar of a standing ovation.

Tanya Tucker's re-emergence as a country superstar has arrived at Nissan Stadium, igniting the filling home of the Tennessee Titans with honky-tonk energy.

She's both played an early evening set highlighted by tracks from her just-released album "Sweet Western Sound," plus classic songs like her 50-year-old smash "Delta Dawn." Moreover, she joined both Lainey Wilson and Elle King to sing a version of her 1978 hit "Texas ('Til I Die)."

Wearing two different all-white outfits while performing, her style and flair proved timelessly entertaining.

While not the same concept as riding a horse down Lower Broadway or at the Grand Ole Opry, she's still swept into yet another iconic Nashville locale.

And at the end of a stirring version of Delta Dawn, the crowd treated Tucker to a lengthy ovation as loud as those usually reserved for the night's headlining act.

It's been a quiet day at the medical tent next to Riverfront Stage. Few heat-related incidents, a few skinned knees and a couple of medical transports due to cardiac issues.

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center spokesperson said they are treating fewer guests compared to previous years.

Madeline Edwards

Madeline Edwards brought the funk to the Riverfront stage kicking off her set with a keytar in hand.

Playing to a hefty crowd, Edwards called out to all the lovers and ex-lovers in the crowd with her hits "Playground" and "Heart you can't break."

Edwards showed off her band's range with Childish Gambino's "Redbone," before returning to her repertoire.

"This is a song I wrote when I decided I didn't care about anyone's damn opinion of me besides mom, Dolly and Jesus," Edwards said before launching into her song "Mama, Dolly, Jesus."

From Riverfront to Fan Fair X, fans are sporting classic western wear looks – fringe, cuttoff denim, ditsy floral tops and dresses, and turquoise and silver accessories – and many are adding a glam twist.

"Bling, bling, bling – rhinestones, burned hats, and boots," boutique business owner Millinean Lawrence told The Tennessean, of how she’d sum up this year's CMA Fest fashion trends. "That's what we’ve seen across the board, but of course, here more than ever."

Ain't no party like a Chapel Hart party, and this trio certainly worked the room.

The Mississippi-born band took the Vibes Stage at CMA Fest belting some of their songs while working in their versions of classics.

Sisters Danica and Devynn Hart and cousin Trea Swindle strutted across the stage singing their hit "The Girls are Back in Town," paying tribute to the greats of country music before them.

"We’re just out here representing for the dreamers," Danica said thanking the fans for getting them as far as they’ve come.

Five up-and-coming women artists performed a showcase and conversation at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at midday Friday, as part of CMT's Next Women of Country franchise.

Hosted by CMT executive Leslie Fram, artists Kimberly Kelly, Catie Offerman, MaRynn Taylor, Kasey Tyndall, and Julie Williams shared their origin stories and paths to success, as well as some new music.

"Do y’all know how fun it is to be backstage with a bunch of girls with guitars?" Fram said, welcoming the group to the stage.

Lainey Wilson's growth from a hitch-trailer dwelling hopeful to a country music superstar is a well-known tale. However, her growth from country music superstar to an artist with a devoted fan club of thousands of die-hard, bell-bottom-clad fans is a tale that's emerging and worth telling.

Before playing her "Bell Bottom Country" album single "Hillbilly Hippie" to kick off a brief acoustic set with her bandmates, she told howMcBryde's support was invaluable at a critical career juncture. Noting that once she had the opportunity, via Tractor Supply and Opry Entertainment Group's support, to pay it forward -- she did.

Mother, daughter team O.N.E the Duo took the Spotlight stage at Fan Fair X exuding love for each other and their music.

"She didn't want to do this," Prana Supreme Diggs said chuckling as she talked about how the duo came to be.

Music runs in their veins, and unexpectedly it's country. Prana is the daughter of Tekitha, a vocalist and solo artist, and Wu-Tang's RZA.

This is the second year the pair have been on the stage at CMA Fest. They sang songs from their debut album "Blood Harmony." Their song "Til you called my name" reflects on the bonds between a mother and daughter.

The two will release their debut album "Blood Harmony" on August 11, with 12 tracks serving as a chapter reflecting the duo's spirit, life and vision.

Gates are closed as the Amp Stage reaches capacity ahead of Uncle Kracker's set at 12:30.

As Day Two of the Country Music Festival kicked off, a standing-room only crowd filled out the CMA Close Up Stage inside the Music City Center on Friday morning to see country music legend Reba McEntire.

McEntire shared stories from her forthcoming lifestyle book, "Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots," which is set to release in October.

Riverfront Stage reached capacity Friday as Parmalee heads to the stage to play a set at CMA Fest.

The modern country band blends contemporary sounds with classic country ingredients.

The lawn in front of Riverfront Stage was full Friday morning as Priscilla Block strutted the stage in a highlighter green bedazzled shirt and safety vest.

"I’m very, very happy to be a part of CMA Fest at the riverfront stage," Block said to applause from the audience.

Block got sentimental with the crowd.

"I’ve gotten to write with a lot of incredible songwriters in Nashville, but there is something, for me, just writing my diary with my guitar," she said.

Launching into her "Me Pt. 2," Block got raucous support from the audience.

Bring your sunscreen for CMA Fest Day 2.

The National Weather Service Nashville forecasts a high of 85 degrees with sunny skies throughout the day.

Lows will sink throughout the night, dropping to around 79 degrees at 8 p.m. By 10 p.m. temperatures will drop to 71. A light breeze up to 5 mph will come from the northeast.

Outside of Chris Stapleton's trademark tenor, reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs has the type of voice that inspires rapt listening and a desire to learn his lyrics for peak screaming back to him on stadium stages.

Kick that into his cover of Tracy Chapman's classic "Fast Car" (a favorite since the 33-year-old performer was four and in his father's backseat) and two things are clear. First, Combs is a superstar. Second, he will likely remain as such for decades to come.

The crowd also erupted in joy when Darius Rucker popped up in the middle of Nissan Stadium's field-level crowd on an elevated platform stage with a guitar. Supported by a sparse, fiddle-led group, they led a sing-along favorites like "Fires Don't Start Themselves" and his cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel."

In the midst of a set that featured his current country and mainstream radio hit cover of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," and country radio chart-topper "The Kind Of Love We Make," the legitimacy of Luke Combs' talent as an interpreter, player, singer and writer of songs is unmistakable.

The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year introduced Vince Gill for a surprise duet on "One More Last Chance." While playing the song released almost 30 years ago, Combs felt like a doppelganger for the 2005 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In an interview before taking the stage, Gill noted that Combs was a longtime fan who sneaked into one of his concerts (Combs' first ever) when he was nine years old.

"Luke still owes me $40," joked Gill.

35-year-old Shreveport, Louisiana native Davis, on standby for the birth of his third child, took to the stage making his debut full-set appearance at Nissan Stadium as a CMA Fest. The crowd responded emphatically.

The multiple-time country radio chart-topper kicked things off with his 2022-released single "That's What My World Spins Around." Davis' underdog success story of "Buy Dirt," his anthemic song of love built around buying land, building a home and starting a family leading to his CMA Song of the Year victory has led to increased fandom, noted by the eruption of applause that occurred when he took to the stage.

"I moved to Nashville 12 years ago and the next thing you know, I'm standing in the endzone of Nissan Stadium at CMA Fest," stated Davis as playing his current top-ten hit "Next Thing You Know" yielded a smattering of cell phone lights in the venue's crowd.

Before closing with "Buy Dirt," he saluted his faith in Jesus Christ, his life as a father and husband, and being the best friend he could be.

Highlighting the previously-mentioned Luke Bryan collaboration he wrote with his brother Jacob, plus fellow brothers Josh and Matt Jenkins caused a grin to break out on his heavily-bearded face.

"This was the most memorable show I ever played," said Davis.

Closing out the Riverfront Stage on Thursday was 23-year-old breakout artist Bailey Zimmerman, who rocketed to fame with two top charting singles last year.

"My name is Bailey Zimmerman and I sing about heartbreak, 24-7," he said. "I’ve written a few love songs, but found out that really wasn't my thing."

Zimmerman tossed his hat to a fan before closing out with with "Rock and a Hard Place." As the crowd sang along, he took off his shoes, one at a time, throwing them into the crowd—and even teased throwing his shirt into the crowd.

Riverfront Stage reached capacity as hundreds gathered to watch Bailey Zimmerman take the stage at 5:30 p.m.

At the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage, fans enjoyed a more relaxed atmosphere, spreading out in front of the stage on the grass and Adirondack chairs to sip on cold cans of strawberries and cream Dr. Pepper and enjoy the acts.

After overcoming some sound system difficulties, Oklahoma-based band Ricochet performed some of their most popular numbers from their heyday.

"We’re gonna do some of our hits from the 90s—when most of you young ladies were in pull ups," lead vocalist Heath Wright said to the primarily young crowd.

Wright also surprised viewers with a new song from the band's first album in more than a decade, "Sweet Tea."

Marcy and Jim Lindemann spoke with The Tennessean as they stood in the Music City Center, consulting a number of festival maps Thursday afternoon. The Fort Lauderdale couple have attended every CMA festival for the past ten years, and expressed their excitement to be here for the 50th anniversary.

"WE are having so much fun!" Marcy said, while Jim nodded in agreement. "We're really excited about having four nights of concerts."

Over at the Reverb stage, crowds gathered to listen to Pillbox Patti, the vivacious Nashville-based singer-songwriter with a provocative stage presence as she rocked through her biggest hits. Among her hit songs, the Florida native sang her newest single "Low life" to an exuberant crowd.

The medical tents, staffed by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Events Team, have had minimal visits four hours into the festival.

As temperatures increase in the coming days, heat related illnesses are sure to increase. For now though, staff plan to revel in the slow day.

The biggest medical need so far? Band-Aids.

Blisters will be the downfall of anyone wearing "their fancy new cowboy boots," staff said.

"We've given out so, so many Band-Aids for that," staff said.

Appalachian folk band 49 Winchester's lead singer Isaac Gibson heralded two kinds of music — that which is traditionally and authentically country and Western — were to reign supreme during CMA Fest's early afternoon offerings at Ole Red's Spotify House.

Perhaps spurred by being in Nashville, the Americana Music Association Group of the Year-nominated act kicked off their set with "Damn Darlin'," a tale of heartbreak told with the "Rock Block"'s EXIT/IN as the backdrop. "Russell County Line," another single, is a heart-warming hometown tale highlighting how closely the band straddles the intersections of country, rock and roots music.

The band's inclusion on the CMA Fest lineup at Spotify House is a tremendous showcase of the real-time interplay between a band that fans are discovering on streaming services (co-signs from ERNEST and Luke Combs aid that) and a group whose performance skills are so strong that they'll also gain fans from just providing a fantastic live experience.

Employees at the official alcohol stations say that the alcohol sales just at Riverfront stage are "innumerable," making at least a thousand drinks sold by noon, with many thousands more expected by this evening.

Artist Lauren Alaina took the stage at Riverfront Park to enthusiastic fans who sang alond to some of her biggest hits.

After leading the crowd in unison for her song "Road Less Traveled," the fervor ramped up as Alaina reminded attendees of her newest album, "Unlocked," dropping tomorrow, June 9.

Camden Keene stood on the lawn of Riverfront Park, overlooking the massive crowd gathered for artists like Lainey Wilson, Elvie Shane and Alaina. Keene, along with her family, traveled from North Carolina after planning this trip for over a year.

"We're so excited to finally be here," she said. "We've enjoyed every artist we've seen so far, especially Lauren Alaina. And there's more weekend to go!"

Gillian Barnett traveled with family from Toronto, Ontario for her first trip to CMA Fest. She's most looking forward to seeing Luke Combs at Nissan Stadium tonight.

Riverfront Stage's capacity will be managed throughout the day with gates closing and reopening as necessary, according to the festival's Twitter account.

Lines queues on Broadway between 1st and 2nd Avenues, then up 2nd Avenue North.

CMA Fest 2023 kicked off with a Grammy-winning marching band from Tennessee State University playing brass renditions of hip-hop classics, followed by Country Music Association Female Artist of the Year Lainey Wilson opening the proceedings.

If you are wondering what the vibe is of the next four days on Lower Broadway, the Baskin, Louisiana native mentioned country music, Western culture, love, "Watermelon Moonshine" (her current radio single) and coffee-spiked whiskey within the first ten minutes of hitting the stage.

The jam-packed Riverfront Stage is already well acquainted with the two albums and four No. 1 singles of material Wilson has released in the past three years. She followed it, as she often does now in concert, with a solo version of her HARDY collaboration "wait in the truck" and another hit, "Heart Like A Truck."

The crowd appeared excited, yet mesmerized as the temperature, with humidity, feels as if it was raised 20 degrees in the half-hour in which she appeared onstage.

The gates at Riverfront Stage are temporarily closed as capacity for the venue has been reached, according to the festival.

Gates will open as soon as possible. Check with the https://cmafest.com/app/ for other free stages.

From the Grammy stage to the Riverfront Stage of CMA Fest, the Tennessee Marching Band, better known as the Aristocrat of Bands, get the Thursday morning crowd ready for a day of entertainment.

CMA Fest does require clear bags for entry. According to their website, security will allow one clear bag no larger than 12-by-12-by-6 inches per person.

Festivalgoers are allowed to bring in one refillable water bottle and will have access to several water refill stations. Locations for those can be found at cmafest.com or on the CMA Fest mobile app.

All vendors and venues are cashless. Make sure to carry a debit or credit card or set up Apple or Google pay on your phone ahead of time. And for those hoping to enjoy an adult beverage, don't forget a valid photo ID.

More:CMA Fest 2023: A guide for first-time festival-goers and seasoned veterans

Several streets downtown are shut down at least through Sunday. Others around Nissan stadium will be closed through Monday.

The closures center around Broadway and the areas where CMA Fest will have their stages set up.

A detailed list of closures can be found at this link.

The National Weather expects sunny skies through the majority of the festival with temperatures starting in the low 80s and steadily climbing as the days go on.

There may be widespread haze througout the area Thursday as remanants of wildfire smoke from Canada lingers across ther region.

Sunday there's a 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m.

More:CMA Fest 2023: Here's what kind of weather to expect in Nashville

Music will start at 10 a.m. Thursday with the biggest artists taking the stage around 7:45 p.m. at Nissan Stadium.

For the lineup for the entire weekend click here.

Riverfront Stage

Vibes Stage

Amp Stage

Hard Rock Stage

Reverb Stage

Spotlight Stage

Nissan Stadium