CMA Fest presented by SoFi Champions Music Education Through The CMA Foundation

CMA FEST PRESENTED BY SOFI CHAMPIONS MUSIC EDUCATION
THROUGH THE CMA FOUNDATION

The biggest weekend in Country Music is just around the corner, as fans from around the world join the genre’s biggest names in Nashville June 4–7 for the 53rd CMA Fest presented by SoFi.  

Thanks to the participation of artists and the broader Country Music community, a portion of proceeds from CMA Fest supports the CMA Foundation as it celebrates 15 years of investing in music education. Since its launch in 2011, the Foundation has worked to provide students with access to high-quality music education and to equip educators with the resources they need to build and sustain thriving programs. This milestone year also marks the 10th anniversary of the CMA Foundation’s flagship Music Teachers of Excellence program, which honors and supports outstanding educators across the country. 

Throughout the weekend, CMA Fest will also feature select events and activations designed to spotlight and further amplify the CMA Foundation’s impact and its unique model of giving. 

 

Thursday, June 4 

RePublic High School’s marching band, led by Joshua Latham, will kick off CMA Fest as part of Russell Dickerson’s opening set on the Riverfront Stage, helping launch the festival’s first day. The performance marks an exciting milestone for the newly established marching band, created through a partnership between RePublic High School and the CMA Foundation to expand access to music education and performance opportunities for students. Earlier this year, Dickerson served as the face of the CMA Foundation’s “Fund the Band” campaign, which helped raise the resources needed to launch the program, and later invited the students to join him onstage at CMA Fest. Their appearance at the Riverfront Stage represents a full-circle moment that underscores the power of community investment to create meaningful opportunities for young musicians. 

 

Friday, June 5   

Cane Ridge High School’s marching band, directed by Johnny Croft, will take center stage Friday morning, showcasing the talent and dedication of one of Nashville’s most dynamic music programs. Croft, a 2026 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence and previous 2024 recipient, represents the lasting impact of educators who are shaping future generations through music both in and beyond the classroom. 

Three-time CMA Award-winning Country star Carly Pearce returns with her fifth annual charity pop-up Carly’s Closet, a fan-favorite event where she will sell items from her personal wardrobe to benefit the CMA Foundation. Taking place on Friday, June 5 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on the second level of Music City Center, the event will also feature a meet and greet signing. Admission is free, making it the perfect opportunity for fans to support a great cause and enjoy a special moment with Pearce. 

 

Saturday, June 6 

James Lawson High School’s marching band, directed by Rontrell Callahan, will bring energy to Fan Fair X Saturday afternoon inside Music City Center as part of the festival’s weekend programming, showcasing the talent and dedication of student musicians from Metro Nashville Public Schools. 

Fifteen-year-old mandolin player Shay Morgan of Clearwater, FL, will experience a life-defining moment on Saturday when she joins Carly Pearce onstage at Nissan Stadium during a highly anticipated bluegrass performance. Representing the next generation of young musicians inspired by Country Music, Morgan will perform before tens of thousands of fans reflecting the CMA Foundation’s mission in action.  

 

Sunday, June 7
Memphis Central High School’s marching band, led by 2026 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence honoree and 2024 recipient Ollie Liddell, will close out the weekend Sunday evening with a high-energy performance outside Nissan Stadium, welcoming fans as they arrive for the nightly stadium shows. The appearance reflects the spirit of CMA Fest by placing student musicians at the entrance of one of Country Music’s biggest stages. Liddell’s recognition as a multi-year Music Teachers of Excellence honoree underscores his commitment to cultivating excellence, leadership and opportunity through music education. 

The CMA Fest Backstage Academy, with support from EqualizeHer and Empower, is a one-day immersive experience that provides high school students and young adults with behind-the-scenes access to the world of live music production during CMA Fest. Connecting participants directly with industry professionals across technical production and live entertainment, the program is designed to build both career awareness and workforce readiness. Backstage Academy helps students develop valuable professional skills in fast-paced environments while creating meaningful access to careers in the music and entertainment industries. 

 

All Days 

For the second year, CMA Fest is spotlighting its commitment to giving back with a dedicated “Shop For Good” area inside Fan Fair X featuring vendors who are proudly supporting the CMA Foundation. Each of these participating partners will donate a portion of their proceeds to benefit the CMA Foundation’s ongoing mission. Fans looking to support the cause through their purchases can find the full list of participating vendors at CMAfest.com/shop-for-good. 

Throughout all four days of the festival, fans can shop exclusive CMA Fest merchandise that gives back. Custom CMA Fest posters designed by Friendly Arctic will be available online, at Fan Fair X and at all CMA merch locations. Custom beaded bracelets, created by Strung and inspired by CMA Fest and the CMA Foundation, will also be available online, at Fan Fair X, and all CMA merch locations. A portion of proceeds from both products will go toward supporting the CMA Foundation’s mission. 

Inside Fan Fair X, fans will have the chance to shop their favorite artists’ closets at The Archives, with a portion of proceeds supporting the CMA Foundation. Festivalgoers can also explore The Backstage Auction, benefiting both SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) and the CMA Foundation, featuring exclusive artist merchandise and memorabilia. In addition, fans of all ages can experience the Musical Petting Zoo presented by KHS America, an interactive space designed to spark curiosity and inspire future musicians through hands-on musical discovery activities. Attendees can also stop by a dedicated photo opportunity to commemorate their experience and celebrate the fulfillment that music education brings to so many lives. 

Ahead of CMA Fest, on Wednesday, June 3, two special ancillary events will take place, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the CMA Foundation. Opry NextStage Live at Luke Combs’ Category 10 will spotlight Country Music’s rising stars and emerging talent, while Dinkville’s Celebrity Pickleball Tournament at Nashville Yards will bring together artists, athletes and songwriters for an evening of friendly competition. Together, these events showcase the power of the Country Music community and beyond coming together to support the next generation of leaders through music education. 

For more information about any of the CMA Foundation’s events and activities, download the CMA Connect app or shop online at Shop for Good.  

 

About CMA Fest  

For more than 50 years, CMA Fest has united the Country Music community, bringing fans, artists and industry professionals together for four unforgettable days in the heart of Nashville. What began in 1972 as Fan Fair® with just 5,000 attendees has evolved into the longest-running Country Music festival in the world, drawing an estimated 95,000 daily attendees. CMA Fest is more than a festival—it’s a celebration of the connection between artists and fans, featuring hundreds of performances and collaborations across multiple stages, once-in-a-lifetime moments, and the vibrant energy of Nashville, all fueling something bigger than the event itself. CMA Fest artists donate their time, turning their performances and appearances into purpose, with proceeds supporting music education through the CMA Foundation. This year marks the 23rd consecutive year that CMA has produced a summer music program to air as a network television special on ABC. 

About the CMA Foundation 

The CMA Foundation transforms lives through the power of music education. Established by the Country Music Association in 2011 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) invests in high-quality programs that ensure all students have access to music. In partnership with the music industry and like-minded nonprofits, the CMA Foundation directs research-informed funding where it makes the greatest impact—empowering music teachers through professional development, providing resources for classrooms and programs, and creating life-changing opportunities for students. 

About SoFi   

SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) is a one-stop shop for digital financial services on a mission to help people achieve financial independence to realize their ambitions. 13.7 million members trust SoFi to borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect their money and buy, sell and hold their crypto – all in one app – and get access to financial planners, exclusive experiences, and a thriving community. Fintechs, financial institutions, and brands use SoFi’s technology platform Galileo to build and manage innovative financial solutions across 128 million global accounts. For more information, visit www.sofi.com or download our iOS and Android apps.