Luke Bryan, Little Big Town Offer Prayers to Orlando at Sunday’s CMA Fest Nightly Concert

CMA Fest closed Sunday night after a roller coaster of emotions throughout sets from Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, and more. 

Written by Annie Reuter
Luke Bryan, Little Big Town Offer Prayers to Orlando at Sunday’s CMA Fest Nightly Concert
Photo courtesy Country Music Association

While the final night of CMA Fest brought the party with high energy sets from Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban, it also had a somber feel with the recent news of a gunman killing 49 people and wounding 53 people at an Orlando night club the previous evening.

Both Little Big Town and Luke Bryan took a moment to address the harrowing news during their sets, reminding country fans to be kind to each other.

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Little Big Town dedicated their new song, “Miracle,” to “our friends in Orlando, Florida who are suffering and struggling.” As Karen Fairchild explained, the song was written recently and talks about healing and peace.

“We need healing. Love is bigger than hate,” she told the crowd. “We need a miracle tonight. Let’s show Orlando all the love you have.”

The powerful song saw Little Big Town backed by a gospel choir before Pharrell Williams joined in on stage. Later, Bryan would close the evening at CMA Fest but not before he asked the audience for a moment of silence.

“Something has been real heavy on my heart tonight,” Bryan said halfway through singing “Drink a Beer.” “I want us to take a brief moment of silence and think about all those families that have been affected in Orlando, Florida in our great nation last night. Let’s take a moment of silence and pray for all the families there.”

Always the entertainer, the remainder of Bryan’s set had him shaking it much to the appreciation of his female fans. His set spanned his catalogue of hits including “That’s My Kind of Night,” “Strip It Down” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”

“I get known for the guy that shakes his butt all the time,” Bryan said nearing the end of his performance. “I think it’s important for CMA Fest to know I’m the best guitar player out there.”

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

He then attempted to show off his guitar skills on acoustic guitar as Keith Urban appeared behind him, ready to prove who really was the standout guitarist. Taking a minute long instrumental jam in between “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” Urban’s impressive handy work shined brightly at Nissan Stadium as Bryan rescinded his earlier statement.

“I think we all know who just won the guitar contest,” Bryan declared before the two friends segued into a cover of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Fishin’ in the Dark.”

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Urban took the stage before Bryan and just like his surprise duet, showcased his guitar, banjo and bass shredding skills throughout his hit-driven set. While he played many songs off his new release, Ripcord, including banjo heavy “Gone Tomorrow (Here Today),” the poignant “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and previous singles “Break On Me,” John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16″ and “Wasted Time,” he also took things back in time to 1999 with fan favorite “Where the Blacktop Ends.”

His epic set had the audience mesmerized throughout his jaw-dropping guitar interludes, where he often ran down the stage near the photo pit to play and sing for fans.

“God bless y’all. I love you, I really do!” he said at the close of his performance.

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Where Urban brought the shredding, Brett Eldredge brought the vocal power. Also frequently found running into the crowd to sing, his set impressed with  four of his previous five consecutive No. 1 singles including “Don’t Ya,” “Beat of the Music,” “Lose My Mind” and “Drunk On Your Love.” Fellow performer and co-host Thomas Rhett also surprised the audience for an energetic collaboration of set closer, “You Can’t Stop Me.”

Before his set, Eldredge shared the favor when he joined Rhett on summer anthem “Vacation.” Rhett then held his own as he performed an acoustic sing along of six-week No. 1 “Die a Happy Man,” thanking the audience for its success.

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

“I want to raise a toast to you for traveling all over the country and world to be here this week. Cheers to you,” he said as he raised his beer.

Set highlights included the upbeat “T-Shirt” as well as the old timey “Crash and Burn,” both of which the audience danced and sang along to word for word.

Meanwhile, Little Big Town captivated the entire venue with their spot-on harmonies. Whether it was Fairchild singing lead on “Girl Crush” or Jimi Westbrook’s soulful vocals on “Boondocks,” the band had the crowd screaming in approval. The quartet closed the night with the latter, where they sang and took selfies with fans in the pit, never missing a note.

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

“You’re the greatest fans in the world,” Fairchild said. “Thanks for letting us make music for so many years.”

Country legends Exile and Ray Stevens opened the night. While Stevens performed a heartfelt version of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” prefaced by the Pledge of Allegiance, Exile played several of their No. 1 hits including “Give Me One More Chance,” “Kiss You All Over” and “It’ll Be Me” before dedicating “People Get Ready” to “lives out there that need healing and prayers.”

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

Photo courtesy Country Music Association

CMA Fest closed Sunday night after a roller coaster of emotions throughout each band’s set, something country music is well known and loved for and just one of many reason fans will come back again next year.