CMA Fest TV 2025: The Performances We Can’t Stop Rewatching

The CMA Fest TV Special is more than just a concert, but a love letter to country music and the millions of fans who gather each summer to celebrate it in Nashville. This year’s special, filmed during the 52nd annual CMA Fest, brought the genre’s biggest stars and most exciting rising talents together for three hours of unforgettable music. From emotional ballads to roof-raising collaborations, “CMA Fest presented by SoFi” delivered a powerhouse show that reminded us why country music remains one of the most vibrant scenes in entertainment.

Zach Top performs with Dierks Bentley at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, June 8, 2025, during CMA Fest presented by SoFi in downtown Nashville. Credit John Russell/CMA

Here are five performances from the televised event that left us replaying them long after the credits rolled:

1. Cody Johnson and Carín León – “She Hurts Like Tequila”

This bilingual collaboration was a masterclass in storytelling and vocal chemistry. Cody Johnson, already known for his gut-wrenching ballads, joined forces with Mexican regional star Carín León for a performance that was as smooth and stinging as its title suggests. With León’s rich vibrato intertwining with Johnson’s gravelly Texas drawl, the song was a cultural bridge and a CMA Fest highlight rolled into one.

2. Brooks & Dunn and Lainey Wilson – “Play Something Country”

The legendary duo invited reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson onstage, and together they lit a fire under Nissan Stadium. Wilson’s gritty swagger paired perfectly with Kix and Ronnie’s classic bravado. It was a torch-passing moment between icons and the future of country. If this song didn’t make you want to buy cowboy boots and hit a honky tonk, nothing will.

3. Rascal Flatts and Carly Pearce – “My Wish”

In one of the most tender moments of the night, Rascal Flatts reunited for a heartwarming rendition of their beloved hit “My Wish,” joined by CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carly Pearce. The performance felt like a blessing wrapped in melody, Pearce’s clear, emotive tone melted into the familiar harmonies of the trio. It was nostalgia and hope intertwined, and a reminder of how one song can span generations.

4. Dierks Bentley and Zach Top – “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)” / “Mountain Music” Medley

Dierks Bentley gave fans a double dose of country gold by teaming up with fast-rising traditionalist Zach Top for a performance that married new-school polish with old-school charm. Their medley of Bentley’s breezy anthem and Alabama’s “Mountain Music” was a foot-stomping celebration of country roots. Zach Top proved he’s more than just a buzzed-about name, he’s got the stage presence to match the legends.

5. Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll – "Hard Fought Hallelujah"

If there was a performance that captured the genre's evolving soul, it was this one. Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll’s raw, gospel-tinged performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah felt like a sermon and a celebration. Gritty, real, and unapologetically bold, the duo embodied country’s growing diversity in sound and voice. When Jelly Roll bared his soul and Lake brought his fiery edge, the crowd stood up, and stayed up.

The 2025 CMA Fest TV Special was packed with thrilling collaborations, tearjerkers, and country chaos in the best way. But these five performances stood tall, reminding us why CMA Fest is not just an annual tradition, it’s a proving ground for legends and newcomers alike. Missed "CMA Fest presented by SoFi." You can now stream the primetime special on Hulu!