Lauren Watkins
Lauren Watkins
Lauren Watkins
Lauren Watkins
After taking the Amp stage, Lauren Watkins’ smooth, yet gravely voice stood out during “Fine County Line,” “Gatlinburg” and her crowd-pleasing cover of “Amarillo Sky.” She characterizes her distinct take on country music with playful lyricism. In her song “Shirely Temple,” Watkins compares a girl that’s her opposite to grenadine while insinuating that shirley temples won’t cause a buzz. Watkins’ sharp, clever lines encouraged chuckles from audience members who hung onto every word.
- Madeleine Bradford
Photos Courtesy of Lillie Hollabaugh (For Bell Music Magazine)
Nate Smith
Nate Smith
Nate Smith
Nate Smith
As an ex-nurse assistant turned country music superstar, Nate Smith sat with Amazon Music’s “Country Heat Weekly” podcast at the Close Up Stage. Smith returned to Nashville coming straight from from Carolina Country Fest where he sat with podcast hosts Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson for the 2nd time. Smith shared details about his music, with the single “World On Fire” being 10 weeks #1 from the deluxe edition of his debut album, but mentioning that “Bulletproof” is also a definite one to listen to.
- Kylie Hoover
Photos Courtesy of Kylie Hoover (For Bell Music Magazine)
Angel White
Angel White
Angel White
Angel White
Angel White’s rugged cowboy mystique and captivating music had the crowd awestruck at CMA Fest. His performance was a tremendous experience because, alongside his incredible band, he performed his music while playing both guitar and harmonica. His EP entitled "GHOST OF THE WEST" delves into rich storytelling of growing up in a small Texas town and growing into his identity.
- Lillie Hollabaugh
Photos Courtesy of Lillie Hollabaugh (For Bell Music Magazine)
Wyatt Flores
Wyatt Flores
Wyatt Flores
Wyatt Flores
It was a privilege to see Wyatt Flores enthrall CMA Fest’s Riverfront stage with his exceptional music. Flanked with an extraordinary band, Flores drew the audience in with his clever lyrics and high energy presence, most especially during his song “Wildcat” written about his days as a high school mascot. Additionally, Isaac Gibson of 49 Winchester made a last minute appearance during Flores’s set, which made his performance even more special.
- Lillie Hollabaugh
Photos Courtesy of Lillie Hollabaugh (For Bell Music Magazine)
Zach Top
Zach Top
Zach Top
Zach Top
The classic country reminiscent sounds of Zach Top brought a jam-packed crowd to the Vibes Stage for the last day of CMA Fest 2024. Opening with his country-radio single, “Sounds Like the Radio”, Top’s genuinity in his sound and craft instantly hooked the audiences attention. Top’s debut album “Cold Beer & Country Music” released this past April, and flourished through his setlist with sings such as “There’s the Sun”, “Bad Luck” and “I Never Lie” sung by fans through every word. During his set, Top revealed that this was the first CMA Fest he’d ever been to both as a performer and as a fan, and his growing success proves it surely won’t be his last.
- Kylie Hoover
Photos Courtesy of Kylie Hoover (For Bell Music Magazine)
Kasey Tyndall
Kasey Tyndall
Kasey Tyndall
Kasey Tyndall
Kasey Tyndall rocked CMA Fest with her edgy rock country style and high energy performance. You couldn’t help but dance and jam out during her set to her badass music and zealous stage presence. With influences ranging from Avril Lavigne to Joan Jett to Miranda Lambert, this country rockstar brought power and strength, especially while performing her single “Bad For Me”.
- Lillie Hollabaugh
Photos Courtesy of Lillie Hollabaugh (For Bell Music Magazine)
Megan Moroney
Megan Moroney
Megan Moroney
Megan Moroney
Upon playing the Nissan Stadium main stage of CMA Fest, Megan Moroney closed out the daytime sets at the Riverfront stage. The self-proclaimed “Emo Cowgirl” drew in a packed crowd and opened her set with the main titled single from her debut album “Lucky”. Mixing in her classic “Tennessee Orange” with songs from her upcoming album “Am I Okay?”, such as “Indifferent” and “Man on the Moon”, longtime fans of Moroney and brand new fans were able to enjoy her stunning performance all the same.
- Kylie Hoover
Photos Courtesy of Kylie Hoover (For Bell Music Magazine)
