Scotty McCreery broke the mold with his performance slot on tonight's ABC special, 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock,' performing Travis Tritt's 1993 country classic 'T.R.O.U.B.L.E' for the TV airing rather than a tune from his own country music debut record, 'Clear as Day.'
After a couple hours of rocking country music hits, Martina McBride brought down the house during the pre-taped 'CMA Music Festival' special when she performed anti-cancer anthem, 'I'm Gonna Love You Through It.' The crowd, who could be heard screaming and cheering all night as stars like Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Eric Church rocked the stage, was practically silent as McBride let loose her powerful hit.
Faith Hill returned to the CMA Music Festival in Nashville for the first time in years in 2012, and brought new music with her. The country superstar revealed 'Illusion' -- the rumored title track to her long-awaited new album -- during the ABC-aired recap of the festival on Monday night (Sept. 17). Earlier in the show ,Hill confirmed that the album is done, but stopped short of saying it'd be available soon.
Before showing a pre-taped Rascal Flatts performance, ABC aired a sit-down between the trio and another threesome, the Band Perry, during the 2012 CMA Music Festival back in June. The Flatts chatted about what they would do for a living if they weren't musicians, and it turns out that Joe Don Rooney wants to be a clay pigeon shooter and Jay DeMarcus would be a game show host. Maybe someday...
While artists like Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood left fans at the 2012 CMA Music Festival sore from dancing, Little Big Town created a slow and sexy groove with their summertime hit 'Pontoon.' The chart-topping song was still new to radio in June when the ABC special was taped, but the crowd left no doubt that the foursome had a hit on their hands.
It seems as though Eric Church has started a new country music fashion trend, with many of the CMA Music Festival concert-goers wearing a pair of the singer's signature aviator glasses during his set. Decked out in a pair of shades of his own, Church gave his legion of loyal fans a performance of 'Springsteen' during tonight's 'Country's Night to Rock' prime time special.
It seems certain that if 'The Wind' by the Zac Brown Band was playing nonstop in offices and job sites across the country, the work day could be shortened by four hours -- but we'd all be just as productive. The talented seven-piece band worked through the warp-speed country track during the 'CMA Music Festival' special on ABC Monday night.
Lady Antebellum performed their current chart-climber 'Wanted You More' on tonight's ABC special, 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock.' Dressed in all black, trio members Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott commanded the stage for the intimate performance, with fellow band member Dave Haywood adding a personal touch with his superb guitar skills.
Decked out his usual black baseball cap and skin-tight jeans, newcomer Brantley Gilbert wowed concert-goers with an electrifying performance of his No. 1 'Country Must Be Country Wide' during tonight's 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock' ABC prime time special.
Hunter Hayes may be a country music newcomer, but the emerging superstar was definitely desired -- err, 'wanted' -- by the crowd during his performance on tonight's 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock' special, performing 'Wanted' with just a piano and a sea of adoring fans.
