Introduction
Nashville, TN – CMA Fest, the premier gathering of country music’s biggest stars and most devoted fans, once again delivered a weekend full of unforgettable moments, but it was Blake Shelton who truly stole the show with an unexpected collaboration that sent shockwaves through Nissan Stadium.
On the third night of the festival, following powerhouse performances by industry giants like Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, and Kelsea Ballerini, Shelton took the stage as a headliner. Earlier in the day, he had already warmed up the crowd with a set at Spotify House, treating fans to both new tracks from his recently released album, “For Recreational Use Only,” and beloved throwbacks such as “Ol’ Red” and “Boys ‘Round Here.”
However, the real magic happened at Nissan Stadium. After performing songs like “Texas” and “Stay Country or Die Tryin'” from his new record, Shelton paused, telling the roaring crowd, “They told me I could do whatever I wanted.” The anticipation in the arena was palpable as he then introduced a true country music icon: Trace Adkins.
The stadium erupted as Adkins joined Shelton, immediately launching into his 2005 smash hit, “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” The energy soared even higher as the two long-time friends and collaborators then performed their powerful duets, “Hell Right” and “Hillbilly Bone.” The crowd sang along, their cheers echoing through the night, but it was clear from the wide grin on Shelton’s face that he was relishing every second of the surprise performance.
This wasn’t the only unexpected appearance at CMA Fest 2025. Night one saw Brooks & Dunn bring out Lainey Wilson, while night two featured Jelly Roll surprising fans with Shaboozey and Noah Kahan joining Kelsea Ballerini on stage. These spontaneous collaborations are a hallmark of CMA Fest, and Blake Shelton’s duet with Trace Adkins certainly added another legendary chapter to the festival’s history, reminding everyone of the enduring power of live country music and the bonds that define the genre.