“Billboard” Brought The Red Clay Strays, Ashley Cooke, The Band Perry and More to Luke Combs&x27; Category 10 During CMA Fest 2026 Chris BarillaTue, June 9, 2026 at 9:55 PM UTC 0 The Red Clay Strays perform at 'Billboard' Country Live in Nashville on June 4, 2026Credit: Courtesy of Billboard Billboard&x27;s Country Live concert series featured two days of performances at Luke Combs&x27; Category 10 during CMA Fest Carly Pearce made a surprise appearance, showcasing her powerhouse vocals and performing hits like "What He Didn&x27;t Do" Highlights included Dan + Shay&x27;s surprise performance o...
“Billboard” Brought The Red Clay Strays, Ashley Cooke, The Band Perry and More to Luke Combs' Category 10 During CMA Fest 2026
Chris BarillaTue, June 9, 2026 at 9:55 PM UTC
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The Red Clay Strays perform at 'Billboard' Country Live in Nashville on June 4, 2026Credit: Courtesy of Billboard -
Billboard's Country Live concert series featured two days of performances at Luke Combs' Category 10 during CMA Fest
Carly Pearce made a surprise appearance, showcasing her powerhouse vocals and performing hits like "What He Didn't Do"
Highlights included Dan + Shay's surprise performance of "Tequila" and Drew Baldridge debuting his new song "Diesel and Dirt"
There are plenty of events happening around Nashville during CMA Fest, but Billboard counted itself among the best thanks to their Country Live concert series.
Held at Category 10, Luke Combs' massive downtown Nashville venue, the event saw the publication take over the bar, restaurant and concert hall for two days of electrifying performances, giveaways and a continuation of country music traditions.
On Thursday, June 4, The Red Clay Strays headlined the event, with Carly Pearce, Chase Rice, Corey Kent, Drew Baldridge, Hunter Hayes, Lanie Gardner, The Band Perry, The Grimm and Ty Myers providing support. For its second day, on Friday, June 5, Tucker Wetmore served as headliner, with support from Alana Springsteen, Alexandra Kay,Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Kaitlin Butts, Priscilla Block, Something Out West and Stella Lefty.
Carly Pearce performs at 'Billboard' Country Live in Nashville on June 4, 2026Credit: Courtesy of Billboard
Pearce made a surprise appearance on Thursday, which was announced the morning of the show. Through performances of tracks like "Truck on Fire," "What He Didn't Do" and "I Hope You're Happy Now," she affirmed her status as a powerhouse vocalist in the space. Another standout moment came when Baldridge took the stage and announced his new album FARM FAITH FAMILY to attendees, debuting his new release "Diesel and Dirt" as well.
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To close out the first evening, The Red Clay Strays treated fans to only their second-ever performance on Broadway, playing tracks such as "Wanna Be Loved" and "No One Else Like Me."
The energy continued on the event's second day, with Lefty bringing out surprise guests Dan + Shay for a performance of their infectious hit track "Tequila." Additionally, Matt Rife joined Cooke as her special guest on stage for "Baby Blues," creating a viral, steamy moment between the two stars. Other moments from the day included a rousing performance of the Kesha classic "Hunt You Down," which Butts has recorded her own version of, and a performance by the Tennessee Titans Blue Crew, featuring Chloe Holladay Hubbard.
Tucker Wetmore performs at 'Billboard' Country Live in Nashville on June 4, 2026Credit: Courtesy of Billboard
To cap off the event as a whole, Wetmore took to the stage to serenade fans with the likes of "Proving Me Right," "Wine Into Whiskey," "3,2,1," "Wind Up Missin' You," and "Brunette." Once the main event wrapped, the Country Live after party featured a surprise appearance from Avery Anna's alter ego, Lil Debbie.
With so much going on during CMA Fest weekend, it's often difficult to decide which events deserve one's time and attention. However, Billboard has succeeded at creating a space where regular fans feel included, and prioritized, in the CMA Fest process.
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: June 9, 2026 at 06:36PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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