Dierks Bentley, Ashley McBryde, Zach Top helped close out the 2025 CMA Fest with enduring classics and fresh hits.

Actor, musician and multi-entertainer Charles “Chip” Esten strummed his guitar onto the CMA Fest stage to start the Thursday line-up. As the charismatic actor grinned from ear-to-ear, he bellowed, "Hello Nashville."

CMA Fest kicked off without a hitch with Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green and Darius Rucker closing out the first night at Nissan Stadium. But rain put somewhat of a damper on things during the day Friday and pushed back the start of the Nissan Stadium shows until 9 p.