Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Carly Pearce & More Celebrate 20 Years of Big Machine
- All Country News
- 27 minutes ago
- 3 min read
For one unforgettable night, Nashville’s Lower Broadway wasn’t just the heart of Music City, it was the beating heart of country music history. On August 29, Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) celebrated its 20th anniversary with an arena-sized party under the neon glow of honky-tonk marquees, drawing more than 100,000 fans into the streets for a marathon of performances that blurred the lines between past, present, and future.
Founded in 2005, Big Machine has long been a lightning rod in the industry—home to chart-dominating superstars, genre-shifting risk-takers, and songs that have become the soundtrack of a generation. Last night’s anniversary bash, dubbed Big Machine 20, served as both a victory lap and a love letter to the fans who’ve carried the label’s artists to historic heights.
A Lineup for the Ages
The evening was a carousel of country heavyweights and genre-crossing icons. CMA and ACM winner Riley Green had the crowd swaying and singing along to hits like “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” and “There Was This Girl.” In a highlight moment, Green welcomed Carly Pearce onstage for their duet “Don’t Mind If I Do” before surprising fans with Hannah McFarland for “Pick A Place.”
The night’s biggest roar came when Rascal Flatts reunited to close the show, igniting Broadway with “Fast Cars and Freedom,” “Life Is a Highway,” and a tear-jerking duet of “My Wish” with Pearce, a full-circle moment after the trio and Pearce’s recent collaboration on Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets.
Not to be outdone, Sheryl Crow fresh off her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction proved why her influence transcends genres, ripping through “Steve McQueen” and “Everyday Is a Winding Road.”
Brett Young offered a set of smoldering ballads, capped with his Diamond-certified smash “In Case You Didn’t Know.” Meanwhile, The Band Perry marked their return to the Big Machine family with a nostalgia-fueled run of “If I Die Young” and “Better Dig Two.”
And in one of the night’s most unexpected twists, Gary LeVox teamed with Akon for a sun-soaked rendition of “Hold The Umbrella,” turning Broadway into an unlikely beach party.
Rising Stars, Legacy Artists, and Full-Circle Moments
The celebration wasn’t just about megastars, it spotlighted BMLG’s diverse roster across eras. Raelynn debuted new tracks alongside her career-defining “God Made Girls.” Danielle Bradbery brought powerhouse vocals to “Stop Draggin’ Your Boots.” Preston Cooper, whose debut album Toledo Talkin’ dropped the same day, electrified with “Weak” and “One For The Road.”
There were also nods to Big Machine’s early history. Danielle Peck, the first artist the label ever sent to country radio, fittingly opened the night with “Findin’ a Good Man” and “I Don’t.” Later, Jack Ingram revisited Big Machine’s first-ever No. 1 single, “Wherever You Are,” a reminder of how far the label has come.
Even genre outsiders made their mark, Aaron Lewis delivered a raw, stripped-down set of “Am I the Only One” and Staind classic “It’s Been Awhile.” And rising Americana force The Jack Wharff Band showed Big Machine’s willingness to embrace country’s evolving edges.
Two Decades in the Making
Big Machine’s 20th anniversary concert wasn’t just a star-studded spectacle; it was a statement of legacy. From breakout artists like Riley Green and Carly Pearce to icons like Rascal Flatts and Sheryl Crow, the night underscored the label’s role in shaping modern country while keeping its roots firmly planted in storytelling and showmanship.
For fans, it was a once-in-a-lifetime street party. For Borchetta and his team, it was proof that twenty years in, the machine is running stronger than ever.
As the last chords of “Life Is a Highway” rang out into the humid Nashville night, one thing was clear: Big Machine hasn’t just built a label, it’s built an era. And if this celebration is any indication, the next twenty years are already roaring down the road.
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