CMA FEST PRESENTED BY SOFI
CHAMPIONS MUSIC EDUCATION THROUGH THE CMA FOUNDATION
The biggest weekend in Country Music is just a week away! Fans from all over the world, and the genre’s biggest names are joining together in Nashville June 5-8 for the 52nd CMA Fest presented by SoFi. In a tradition unique to CMA Fest, artists generously donate their time and talents so a portion of proceeds can help fund the CMA Foundation’s mission of providing students with access to a high-quality music education and educators the resources they need to create and sustain thriving programs. CMA Fest will also showcase exclusive events and engaging activations designed to raise awareness and support for the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving.
Thursday, June 5
Ravenwood High School’s (Williamson County Public Schools) marching band, led by director and 2023 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence recipient Briana Vogt, will be the first marching band to perform at CMA Fest this year. They will appear outside of Fan Fair X from 10:15 – 10:30 AM as part of a Student Mission Moment, presented by Music Has Value.
Friday, June 6
Riverdale High School’s (Rutherford County Schools) marching band, led by 2025 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence Nicholas Efstathiou, will be marching inside of Fan Fair X from 10:30 to 10:45 AM.
Fitness at Fest returns this year with workouts taking place on Friday and Saturday at the Good Molecules Reverb Stage from 9:00 to 9:45 AM. All proceeds from each fitness event will go directly to the CMA Foundation. Friday’s lineup of fitness experts, presented by CELSIUS, includes Peloton Instructor Callie Gullickson, joined by actor, singer and Big Time Rush member James Maslow and Country singer Tayler Holder.
Kingston Kharif, a student songwriter from Nashville School of the Arts (Metro Nashville Public Schools), will join Jordan Dozzi, Mae Estes, and Emmet Stevens Jr. for a special writers round on the Close Up Stage inside Fan Fair X, hosted by The Listening Room. Presented by Music Has Value as part of a Student Mission Moment, the performance will take place from 2:45-3:30 PM.
Also taking place Friday is the CMA Fest Backstage Academy, presented by EqualizeHer. This one-day immersive experience is designed for five exceptional young women, ages 18 to 22, to gain behind-the-scenes access to the world of live music production at CMA Fest. From event operations to artist management, participants will engage directly with leading industry professionals. The program supports EqualizeHer’s mission to advance gender equality in music by empowering the next generation of female leaders in the industry.
Saturday, June 7
Band Director Caleb Latham will lead Stratford STEM Magnet High School’s (Metro Nashville Public Schools) marching band down Broadway from 10:15-10:30 AM.
The second day of Fitness at Fest, presented by CELSIUS, will feature celebrity trainer Erin Oprea in her fifth appearance at CMA Fest. She’ll be joined by Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker and influencer and former “Bachelorette” Kaitlyn Bristowe for an exciting, high-energy workout experience at the Good Molecules Reverb Stage from 9:00 to 9:45 AM.
Three-time CMA Award-winning Country star Carly Pearce returns with her 4th annual charity pop-up Carly’s Closet, a fan-favorite event where she will sell items from her personal wardrobe to benefit the CMA Foundation. Taking place on Saturday, June 7 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on the second level of Music City Center, the event will also feature a special acoustic performance. Admission is free, making it the perfect opportunity for fans to support a great cause and enjoy a special moment with Pearce.
For the third Student Mission Moment presented by Music Has Value, Percy Priest Elementary School House Band (Metro Nashville Public Schools), directed by 2023 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence recipient Danielle Taylor, will help kick off “Wynonna Judd’s Girls Night Out” at Ascend Amphitheater at 6:45 PM. The performance will be accompanied by special remarks and a presentation from Big Machine Records founder and CEO, Scott Borchetta, whose passion for music education inspired the creation of Music Has Value.
CMA Fest is also excited to welcome a group of students from Sign Language Studios to Saturday night’s event at Ascend Amphitheater, celebrating the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in live music experiences.
Sunday, June 8
The final Student Mission Moment presented by Music Has Value will take place on the Chevy Vibes Stage at 12:20 PM. The performance will feature members of Hillsboro High School’s (Metro Nashville Public Schools) Golden Cadence ensemble directed by Gillian Garnowski, performing alongside Country artist Mackenzie Carpenter.
The Roots of Music marching band from New Orleans, LA, led by band director Jaron “Bear” Williams, will close out the student marching band performances for the weekend. They’ll perform at Nissan Stadium outside the Victory Avenue Gate from 6:30-7:00 PM to welcome fans into the stadium. The group will also join Ashley McBryde onstage during her set at the stadium for a not-to-be-missed performance.
New this year, CMA Fest is spotlighting its commitment to giving back with a dedicated “Shop For Good” area inside Fan Fair X featuring vendors who are proudly supporting the CMA Foundation. Each of these participating partners will donate a portion of their proceeds to benefit the CMA Foundation’s ongoing mission. Fans looking to support the cause through their purchases can find the full list of participating vendors at CMAfest.com/shop-for-good.
Throughout all four days of the festival, fans can shop exclusive CMA Fest merchandise that gives back. Custom posters designed by Friendly Arctic will be available online, at Fan Fair X and at Nissan Stadium. Custom guitar string and beaded bracelets—created by Strung and inspired by CMA Fest and the CMA Foundation—will also be available online and at Fan Fair X. A portion of proceeds from both products will go toward supporting the CMA Foundation’s mission.
Inside Fan Fair X, fans will also have the chance to shop their favorite artists’ closets at The Archives, with a portion of proceeds supporting the CMA Foundation. Festivalgoers can also check out The Backstage Auction, benefiting both SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) and the CMA Foundation, featuring exclusive artist merchandise and memorabilia. A portion of the proceeds from both activations will be donated to the CMA Foundation.
All partners can be found through the CMA Connect app and online at Shop for Good.
About CMA Fest
For more than 50 years, CMA Fest has united the Country Music community, bringing fans, artists and industry professionals together for four unforgettable days in the heart of Nashville. What began in 1972 as Fan Fair® with just 5,000 attendees has evolved into the longest-running Country Music festival in the world, drawing an estimated 90,000 daily attendees. CMA Fest is more than a festival—it’s a celebration of the connection between artists and fans, featuring hundreds of performances and collaborations across multiple stages, once-in-a-lifetime moments, and the vibrant energy of Nashville, all fueling something bigger than the event itself. CMA Fest artists donate their time, turning their performances and appearances into purpose, with proceeds supporting music education through the CMA Foundation. This year marks the 22nd consecutive year that CMA has produced a summer music program to air as a network television special on ABC.
About the CMA Foundation
The CMA Foundation transforms lives through the power of music education. Established by the Country Music Association in 2011 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) invests in high-quality programs that ensure all students have access to music. In partnership with the music industry and like-minded nonprofits, the CMA Foundation directs research-informed funding where it makes the greatest impact—empowering music teachers through professional development, providing resources for classrooms and programs, and creating life-changing opportunities for students.
About SoFi
SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) is a one-stop shop for digital financial services on a mission to help people achieve financial independence to realize their ambitions. Over 10.9 million members trust SoFi to borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect their money – all in one app – and get access to financial planners, exclusive experiences, and a thriving community. Fintechs, financial institutions, and brands use SoFi’s technology platform Galileo to build and manage innovative financial solutions across 158.4 million global accounts. For more information, visit www.sofi.com or download our iOS and Android apps.
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For more information about CMA Fest, visit CMAfest.com. To access CMA Fest press materials, visit CMApress.com.
