The Grand Ole Opry Sets CMA Fest Off With A Bang

[Image Source: Chris Hollo, https://www.instagram.com/p/CtLLYC3tXXB/?img_index=1 ]

[Country’s biggest stars kick off the Nashville festival]

Country music fans all over America have been gearing up for this weekend’s CMA Fest in Nashville, and Carrie Underwood kicked off the festival at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday evening alongside other country stars. There were performances from Lainey Wilson, Lukas Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jeannie Seely, Josh Turner, Riders in the Sky, and Bill Anderson.

Underwood wowed the crowd in her Cinderella-esq gown and brought them to their feet for her performance of “Blown Away.” Josh Turner excited the audience with “Long Back Train,” and also received a standing ovation.

Lainey Wilson spoke about the nervousness she and most artists embody every time they step on the Opry stage during her performance. She said, “It’s a truly spiritual experience.”

While some enjoyed the music inside the peaceful Opry Mills location, the Opry has also teamed up with Ward Guenther’s Whiskey Jam for an Opry Plaza Summer Concert series. Tuesday night featured Julia Cole.

The events at Opry are leading up to the highly anticipated 50th anniversary of the CMA Fest, with free performances from Sam Hunt, Riley Green, Brothers Osborne, Maddie + Tae, and many more.

Tuesday night’s performances can be seen on Saturday night Opry Live per Circle Network.

A list of free and ticketed events can be found here:

https://cmafest.com/stages-schedule/#/schedule/byVenue