CMA Fest 2024 Day Two was a whirlwind of music, with a stellar line-up of established artists and rising talent. While my main focus was on the lesser-known talent, the day began with the thrill of seeing Gavin Degraw at Riverfront Park. The festival’s rich offerings made it a challenge to decide which performances to attend, each promising a unique and unforgettable experience. Yet, amidst this variety, the one constant was the music that filled the air on Friday, June 7th.
Getting Your Steps In
One thing you can be sure of at CMA Fest is that you’ll be getting your steps in as you walk to the various stages. This was especially true for me on Friday. The day started with a thrilling performance by Gavin Degraw at the Riverfront Stage. He played a great collection of his most famous songs, but the crowd went wild when he started “I Don’t Want to Be.” A song most known by many as the theme song from “One Tree Hill.” The excitement in the air was palpable, setting the tone for the rest of the day.
From the Riverfront, it’s just a short walk to the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage in the green space outside Ascend Amphitheater. As we arrived, the stage was graced by the talented MaRynn Taylor. So, this was my first-time experiencing Taylor’s live performance, and it was a delightful discovery. Her music, filled with relatable lyrics and infectious melodies, quickly won over the crowd. Taylor, a Black River Entertainment artist, is rapidly gaining popularity among country music fans. Her most famous song, “Dads and Daughters,” has been streamed over 4 million times across all platforms.
Britnee Kellogg or The Kentucky Gentleman?
CMA Fest will always present you with tough choices when deciding who to see. On the second day, I had to choose between Britnee Kellogg at Bridgestone Plaza and The Kentucky Gentleman on the Hard Rock Stage. My choice came down to needing to be inside the Music City Center at 11:30 and having never seen Britnee Kellogg live. The Kentucky Gentleman are fantastic performers, and I regretted missing their set. Their energy and stage presence are genuinely something to behold.
Britnee Kellogg’s set was outstanding. She played songs from her new album, including the title track, “She’s Come a Long Way,” and the fun “Retail Therapy.” If you still need to listen, check it out on Spotify or Apple Music. On Spotify, the two tracks most listened to on the new album are “Back of My Mind” and “Hey Mama.” This collection of songs perfectly balances a more traditional country sound with a modern country sound.
Australians Impressed on Day 2 of CMA Fest
Australian artist Taylor Moss was next on the schedule for the day at the Spotlight Stage inside the Music City Center. Over the past year, several Australian artists have come onto my radar the past couple of years after meeting Jade Gibson and Zac & George about five years ago. Taylor Moss is one of these artists. Moss impressed with her upbeat, good-feeling songs like “Wild Mama” and her most recent single, “Gone Fishin.” She also gave a shout-out to her girlfriends with “Get it, Girl.” Moss is one of Australia’s most famous female country artists, so the anticipation for her live performance was high. But few artists have risen in popularity as fast as Zac & George.
Next up was Zac & George, also from Australia, on the Good Molecules Reverb Stage, a vibrant and intimate setting, in the Bridgestone Plaza. If you are a Dan & Shay or Seaforth fan, you will love Zac & George. Fun, well-written songs captivated the fans in the audience. The duo’s harmonies are magical, and their high-energy performance left the audience feeling good. I felt the same as I did when watching them on the CMA Fest stage, the first time I watched them perform on a small stage inside Pizza Rev(closed) in 2019.
After seeing their chemistry and talent, I knew they were special. So far, Zac & George are proving me right. Whoever sees them usually loves them. Since releasing their debut single in 2022, their popularity has quickly ascended. They were nominated for three Toyota Golden Guitar Awards in 2023. Zac & George will continue their meteoric rise this year.
Karley Scott Collins Shined on Day Two of CMA Fest
The next performer on stage in the Bridgestone Plaza was Sony Recording Artist Karley Scott Collins. Collins caught my attention with the release of her 2023 “Hands On the Wheel” EP. CMA Fest would be the third time seeing her live, after seeing her at Whiskey Jam and a Women of Country Show, a showcase of female country artists. As I looked behind me, the crowd kept filling in. While Collins drew a good crowd, she benefitted from the massive current popularity of Shaboozey, who followed her on the Reverb Stage.
Karley Scott Collins took full advantage of the crowd, delivering a stellar performance of her biggest songs. Her unique vocal tone and cleverly written lyrics about relatable topics make Collins stand out from other artists. I was also impressed with her guitar playing. At the end of day two, my friend, who was with me all day, said Karley’s set was his “favorite performance.” Considering the artists we saw that day, that’s high praise. Collins’ popularity continues to grow as she released her latest EP, “Write One,” on June 7th, during CMA Fest, also the day of her performance. The new EP features collaborations with Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Keith Urban.
CMA Fest Day 2: An Afternoon at The Spotlight Stage
I headed inside the Music City Center for several performers on the Spotlight Stage Friday afternoon. I made it there for the last pass of the Color Me Country writer’s round. This year’s CMA Fest made a tremendous effort to showcase the diversity in country music. This round was part of that effort. Michael B. Whit, Alyssia Dominguez, David Unlayao, and O.N.E The Duo were on stage. But I only saw Alyssia and David. Alyssia played her single, “En La Calle,” from her recent Chasin’ the Wild EP. David impressed with his 2022 single, “Front Row Seat.” While I am glad I caught part of this round on stage, my attention was on the next performer, Allie Colleen.
Allie Colleen may have country music in her blood, but she is blazing a trail for herself. Colleen has millions of streams across platforms. Allie will join Jelly Roll’s “Beautifully Broken” tour this fall. So, if the tour is coming to a city near you, make sure you see Allie. But on this day, the Oklahoma native rocked the Spotlight stage, playing some of her most recently released and unreleased songs. “While We’re Still Friends,” released in February, was a collaboration with Lee Brice. Her vocal performance on this song is exceptional. Colleen’s most recent release, “Grass on the Grave,” is an incredible song.
If you have not heard either song, listen to it on Apple Music, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform.
Discovering New Talent at CMA Fest
Usually, I go to performances of lesser-known artists, but most of the time, I have heard of them. But Remember Monday is a trio from the UK, who I had the pleasure of discovering on the second day of CMA Fest. The best thing about trios is the three-part harmonies; the ladies Remember Monday did not disappoint. Their energy on stage is infectious, and their songs show their personalities. Don’t miss their latest single, “What the Girls Bathroom is For.” They have also released fantastic versions of Queen’s “Fat Bottom Girls,” Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and Alanis Morrisette’s “Hand in My Pocket.”
The last performer I watched on the Spotlight Stage on CMA Fest Day Two was Michael Warren. Warren was an artist I had on my schedule after hearing his latest release, “Off the Map,” in April. While I admit, I didn’t catch his entire set because I was chatting with the Remember Monday girls. I did see his performance of his most famous song, the 2023 release “Another Round.” This song has over 5 million streams on Spotify, giving Warren some momentum. I firmly place Michael Warren on a list of artists to watch.
CMA Fest Day Two Ends with Mickey Guyton
Ironically, I ended the second day of the festival at the same stage I did the first day, the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage. On Friday, Mickey Guyton closed out the day on that stage. Unfortunately, that meant I would miss performances by Laci Kaye Booth and Jenny Teator. But I started the day as a fan and would end it as a fan. Mickey Guyton caught my attention long before Undiscovered Nashville was even an idea, so her performance was a must for me. Guyton has one of those voices that could sing anything, and it sounds good.
I was thrilled to hear her most recent release, “Make it Me,” released on the day of this performance. She also played “Scary Love,” which was released in April. The energy on stage and in the crowd was impressive as her voice filled the air. Check out her music on Spotify or Apple Music, and take advantage of a chance to see her perform live.
My Thoughts on Day Two of CMA Fest
The second day of the festival was terrific. It wasn’t as hot as the first day, so that was a win. Memorable performances were seen, amazing voices were heard, and everyone had a good time. The biggest regret of the day was not making it to my friend John Hollier’s performance Friday night on the Hard Rock stage. However, I had two days to go, so I needed to hydrate and recover. If you were at CMA Fest this year, I would love to hear about your favorite performances. But, if you have yet to experience everything that CMA Fest has to offer, I encourage you to make plans to attend.
