Lindsay Ell
Lindsay Ell performs at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group during CMA Fest Thursday, June 7. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA
Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley answers questions and performs for fans at Xfinity Fan Fair X inside Music City Center during the Artist of the Day session at CMA Fest Thursday, June 7.
Jon Pardi
Reigning CMA New Artist of the Year Jon Pardi opens the Riverfront Stage during CMA Fest Thursday, June 7.
Spotify at CMA Fest
Blake Shelton performs on stage at Spotify’s Hot Country Presents Hunter Hayes, Chris Lane, Michael Ray and more at Ole Red during CMA Fest on June 7, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Spotify
Several artists, including Blake Shelton, Nashville star Charles Esten, Hunter Hayes and more, have been performing at Shelton’s newly-opened Ole Red venue in Nashville, as Spotify takes over CMA Fest.
Spotify is shining a bright light on the country music scene with their newly enhanced video playlist Hot Country, which has over 4.6 million listeners, giving fans a chance to dive deeper into the country music they love, explore up-and-coming artists, and jive to their favorite singers.
The Sisterhood and Hunter Hayes (center) perform on stage at Spotify’s Hot Country Presents Hunter Hayes, Chris Lane, Michael Ray and more at Ole Red during CMA Fest at on June 7, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Spotify
Jillian Jacqueline performs on stage at Spotify’s Hot Country Presents Hunter Hayes, Chris Lane, Michael Ray and more at Ole Red during CMA Fest on June 7, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Spotify
Pandora at CMA Event
Carly Pearce at Pandora Presents: Backroads at Marathon Music Works on June 5, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for Pandora
On Tuesday, June 5 Pandora hosted Backroads, a concert featuring performances by Brad Paisley, Morgan Evans and Carly Pearce in Nashville at Marathon Music Works. Highlights included an on stage wedding proposal right before Evan’s performance of his hit “I Do,” Pearce’s cover of Shania Twain’s classic, “Man, I Feel Like a Woman,” and Paisley’s set.
Brad Paisley at Pandora Presents: Backroads at Marathon Music Works on June 5, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for Pandora
Dan+Shay
Pictured (L-R): Dan Smyers, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN); Jason Owen (Sandbox Entertainment); Shay Mooney
Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville’s Dan + Shay followed their milestone-making evening at the CMT Music Awards, where they won “Duo Video of the Year,” with a performance at Nissan Stadium for CMA Fest. The duo’s brand new self-titled album is due on June 22.
Hunter Hayes
Hunter Hayes and John Esposito
Hunter Hayes performed a slew of hits this afternoon (June 8) during his CMA Fest performance at the Chevy Riverfront Stage. The five-time GRAMMY© nominee belted his 5X Platinum No. 1 single “Wanted” as well as two-time Platinum “I Want Crazy” and Gold-certified “Storm Warning.”
Sara Evans with Song Suffraggettes
Sara Evans surprised Song Suffragettes’ Kasey Tyndall, Cassadee Pope, Chloe Gilligan, Evans’ recent tourmate Kalie Shorr, and Jenna McDaniel to perform Evans’ “Born To Fly” at the CMA Close Up Stage inside Music City Center during CMA Fest Thursday, June 7.
About the Author
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
