Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
CMA Fest 2024 kicked off the morning of Thursday, June 6th, with Dolly Parton at Fan Fair X. From future “Dolly” brand endeavors, to an interview that had fans lining up around the block, Dolly Parton rang in the 51st CMA Fest in a way only the global country icon could. Parton began the conversation by mentioning some of her projects in the making, such as “Hello, I’m Dolly” the Broadway musical and “Dolly Wines” wine company. Ending with a fan-centered interview led by Entertainment Tonight’s Rachel Smith, thousands of fans cheered for Parton and even got to hear a sung bit of the classic “9 to 5”.
- Kylie Hoover
Dylan Marlowe
Dylan Marlowe
Dylan Marlowe
Dylan Marlowe
Right before he takes the road with Dan + Shay and Jake Owen this summer, Dylan Marlowe rocked day one of CMA Fest 2024 on the Riverfront Stage. The Georgia native opened with his hit “I’ll Keep The Country”, with his encapsulating band raising the energy off the bat. From high energy to meaningful songs, Marlowe kept the crowds attention beautifully, with the nostalgic-feeling “When I Look Back”.
- Kylie Hoover
Fancy Hagood
Fancy Hagood
Fancy Hagood
Fancy Hagood
A self-described “Former pop diva turned country queer icon” Fancy Hagood is known for his genre-blending style that combines elements of pop, soul, and country and connects on a deeper-level with his die-hard fanbase. He performed off of his new EP Smothered, Covered & Fried out June 5th, and treated his fans to classic hits from his 2021 album “Southern Curiousity”. With a dynamic voice and a flair for introspective lyrics, Fancy Hagood has carved out a distinctive niche at CMA fest, garnering a devoted fan base and a star presence at the Hard Rock stage. With his new EP out, Fancy is set to be a huge star and he’s helping to change the face of Country music in the process.
- Isabel Hodell
Hannah Ellis
Hannah Ellis
Hannah Ellis
Hannah Ellis
Hannah Ellis kicked off CMA Fest with a blend of covers, hit songs and favorites from her discography. Ellis blends contemporary country with pop influences like in her song “Wine Country”, creating a unique sound and energetic performance that resonated with the crowd at CMA. Her singles, such as "That Girl" and "Us," showcased her storytelling and emotional depth. She played a fan favorite “One of These Days” and even treated her fans to a couple covers to keep the energy going. As an upcoming artist nominated by the ACM as a new female artist, Hannah Ellis is making significant strides in the country music scene, earning praise for her authentic, fun and relatable music.
- Isabel Hodell
Kylie Morgan
Kylie Morgan
Kylie Morgan
Kylie Morgan
The feminine empowerment mindset of Kylie Morgan brought a unique energy to CMA Fest, one exuding confidence and beauty. Morgan played a mix Gwen Stefani covers “The Sweet Escape” and “Hollaback Girl”, as well as her country radio hit singles “Two Nightstands” and “If He Wanted To He Would”. Morgan’s curated setlist surely left the crowd feeling like they might want to date a cowboy on one hand, and be an independent powerhouse on the other.
- Kylie Hoover
Mackenzie Carpenter
Mackenzie Carpenter
Mackenzie Carpenter
Mackenzie Carpenter
Mackenzie Carpenter had her fans on their feet for her opening performance at CMA fest, using her relatable and energetic music to connect with her audience. She paid homage to Nashville and its icons starting with a fan favorite song “Can’t Nobody” mentioning Dolly Parton. Carpenter stayed true to her storytelling southern roots with “Don’t Mess with Exes” and a remix called “Country Girls Just Want to Have Fun” which had her fans reciting every line while they danced in the crowd. Other fan favorites included “Jesus, I’m Jealous” and viral hit “Huntin’ Season”. As an emerging star, Mackenzie Carpenter is swiftly making her mark on the country music scene with her genuine artistry.
- Isabel Hodell
All Photos Courtesy of Kylie Hoover (For Bell Music Magazine)
