Some big names missing from the lineup…
We’re still a few months away from CMA Fest here in Nashville, with the annual country music festival set to return on June 5-8 for three jam-packed days of music across six stages.
This year’s main shows at Nissan Stadium will feature performances from Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, The Red Clay Strays, Parker McCollum, Keith Urban and more. But as fans got their first look at the lineup, many of the comments were about artists NOT scheduled to perform.
It’s a solid lineup of headliners, no doubt, but some of the biggest names in country music are noticeably missing from the festival. There’s no Morgan Wallen or Luke Combs, who are two of the biggest artists in country music right now. Lainey Wilson is also missing after headlining Nissan Stadium last year. And Jelly Roll, who appeared on the main stage on multiple nights last year while co-hosting the televised special, is nowhere to be found.
That’s not to mention names like George Strait (who, let’s be honest, would have been a nice surprise but we weren’t expecting to be on there), Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, or even Eric Church, who caused a stir with his performance at CMA Fest two years ago.
Overall it seems like the lineup for the main stage lacks the superstars that fans have come to expect in years past, and many were quick to chime in with their disappointment on social media:
“So disappointed… No Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Luke Combs…”
“The line up is not lining up this year..”
“Gutted no Laney Wilson…”
“Where’s the entertainer of the year??”
“I’m sad Jelly Roll isn’t playing this year!”
“Hopefully more will be added as is normal! Thomas Rhett & Lainey please!!”
Underwhelming
— Will Herman (@W1llHerman) March 26, 2025
Of course there were plenty of other artists that fans were disappointed to see missing from the lineup, but the lack of star power on the main stage at Nissan Stadium seems to be the most glaring issue with this year’s lineup.
Now, we’re still 3 months away from the festival, and more artists can (and likely will be) added to the schedule. But with so many of country music’s biggest names missing from the lineup, it’ll be interesting to see just who ends up skipping the festival and who is just going to be a late addition.
2025 CMA Fest Lineup
Nissan Stadium
Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Rascal Flatts, The Red Clay Strays, Darius Rucker, Shaboozey, Blake Shelton, Zach Top, Keith Urban and Bailey Zimmerman
Chevy Riverfront Stage
Gavin Adcock, Tanner Adell, Cooper Alan, Drew Baldridge, Sam Barber, Gabby Barrett, George Birge, Tyler Braden, Colbie Caillat, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, Jackson Dean, Marcus King, Randall King, Brandon Lake, Chris Lane, Ella Langley, Maddie & Tae, Dylan Marlowe, Kameron Marlowe, Max McNown, Midland, Megan Moroney, Ian Munsick, RaeLynn, Redferrin, Josh Ross, Conner Smith, Austin Snell, Alana Springsteen, Thelma and James, Tigirlily Gold, The War And Treaty, Hudson Westbrook and Tucker Wetmore
Dr Pepper Amp Stage at Ascend Park
Rodney Atkins, Frankie Ballard, Casey Barnes, Danielle Bradbery, Blanco Brown, T. Graham Brown, Karley Scott Collins, Billy Dean, Tyler Farr, Filmore, Josh Gracin, Ty Herndon, Braxton Keith, Erin Kinsey, Lakeview, Edwin McCain, John Morgan, Kylie Morgan, Jerrod Niemann, Jamie O’ Neal, Mason Ramsey, Owen Riegling, Emily Ann Roberts, Reyna Roberts, Kaylee Rose, Shaylen, Sister Hazel, Iam Tongi, U.S. Navy Band Country Current, Darryl Worley, Charlie Worsham and Jake Worthington
Chevy Vibes Stage at Walk of Fame Park
Angie K, Graham Barham, Blessing Offor, Craig Campbell, Dillon Carmichael, Mackenzie Carpenter, Ashland Craft, Kashus Culpepper, Dailey & Vincent, Jade Eagleson, Exile, Mickey Guyton, Kelsey Hart, Tayler Holder, Greylan James, Willie Jones, Tiera Kennedy, Vincent Mason, Madeline Merlo, Drake Milligan, Lorrie Morgan, David Nail, Meghan Patrick, Dylan Schneider, Shenandoah, MaRynn Taylor, Thompson Square, Pam Tillis, Lauren Watkins, Mark Wills, Rita Wilson and Waylon Wyatt
Good Molecules Reverb Stage at Bridgestone Plaza
Willow Avalon, Maddox Batson, Laci Kaye Booth, Brenn!, Franni Rae Cash, Chapel Hart, Julia Cole, Kolby Cooper, Preston Cooper, Wesley Dean, Melanie Dyer, Madeline Edwards, Mae Estes, Carter Faith, Lanie Gardner, Cole Goodwin, Fancy Hagood, The Jack Wharff Band, Max Jackson, James Barker Band, Just Jayne, Alexandra Kay, Zach John King, Matt Lang, Bryce Leatherwood, Hannah McFarland, Walker Montgomery, Will Moseley, Elizabeth Nichols, Adrien Nunez, Scoot Teasley, Cameron Whitcomb, Blake Whiten, Austin Williams and Eli Winders
Hard Rock Stage
Ashley Anne, Palmer Anthony, Hayden Blount, BODHI, BoomTown Saints, Luke Borchelt, CECE, Hayden Coffman, Abbey Cone, Crowe Boys, Eddie and The Getaway, Sterling Elza, Brian Fuller, Giovannie and The Hired Guns, Colt Graves, Reid Haughton, Christian Hayes, The Heels, Solon Holt, Hueston, Preston James, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Britnee Kellogg, Alex Lambert, LECADE, Trey Lewis, Tyler Joe Miller, MŌRIAH, Clayton Mullen, O.N.E The Duo, Harper O’Neill, Pistol Pearl and the Wester Band, Peytan Porter, RVSHVD, Sacha, Matt Schuster, Sophia Scott, SKEEZ, Kevin Smiley, Payton Smith, Liam St. John, Colin Stough, Troubadour Blue, Leah Turner, Alli Walker, Carson Wallace, Brendan Walter, Chandler Walters, Jay Webb, Wesko, Angel White and Sam Williams
THE TIME HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!
The lineup for 2025 #CMAfest presented by @SoFi is here! Buy your four-night passes: https://t.co/rBbckYh5A8 (link in bio) and sign up for our Country Connection email for single night pre-sale ticket access!
CMA Fest benefits music education 🎵 pic.twitter.com/2dsxSiCfS8
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) March 26, 2025
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