2024 CMA Fest was so loaded with A-List talent that you might have missed which superstars were no-shows.
These 10 artists either didn’t or couldn’t make CMA Fest last weekend in Nashville. Nearly all had other touring commitments. Every one of them has been a main stage performer in years past to the point that you just expect to see him, her or them every year.
Related: CMA Fest Day 2 Highlights + Pictures
CMA Fest highlights included Jelly Roll‘s epic performance and speech, Post Malone‘s guest appearance with Blake Shelton, Lainey Wilson‘s spot with ’90s hitmaker Terri Clark (see below) and Lynyrd Skynyrd playing “Free Bird.”
Look for the best moments on TV on June 25. That’s when 2024 CMA Fest will air on ABC, with Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde hosting.
An alphabetical lineup of every artist who participated in CMA Fest in seemingly endless. It even misses one or two, such as Eric Church who played his new bar in downtown Nashville for three straight nights.
Main stage concerts take place at Nissan Stadium, home to the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. There were many more stages across downtown that host performances, including the Riverfront Stage, Ascend Amphitheater and Fan Fair X.
Billy Dukes is a Senior Editor and Executive Producer of Video Content at Taste of Country. He specializes in country music interviews, trend analysis and the Secret History of Country Music. Additionally, Billy covers Yellowstone, 1923 and related television shows through the Dutton Rules podcast. To date, he’s written more than 13,000 articles for Taste of Country and produced over 3,000 videos for the Taste of Country YouTube channel.
10 Country Stars Who Weren’t at CMA Fest
Make no mistake: the lineup for 2024 CMA Fest was loaded with A-list talent, but these 10 artists had other plans, or just chose to take the year off.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
CMA Fest 2024, Day 3 Pictures: Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson + More
Jelly Roll took the stage to headline Day 3 of CMA Fest 2024 on Saturday night (June 8), following performances from Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Old Dominion and more.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker