CMA Fest concluded Sunday night (June 8), and after four days of festing, tens of thousands of country music fans kept the energy going strong as they filled Nashville's Nissan Stadium for one final evening.

Actor, musician and multi-entertainer Charles “Chip” Esten strummed his guitar onto the CMA Fest stage to start the Thursday line-up. As the charismatic actor grinned from ear-to-ear, he bellowed, "Hello Nashville."

Avery Anna reflects with Audrey Gibbs on her CMA Fest 2025 stadium debut and the raw honesty of her latest album.