'CMA Fest' returns with summer's must-see country music performances

Wednesday, Aug. 3, on ABC

√ ‘CMA Fest’ hosted by Dierks Bentley and Elle King; watch a sneak peek here

“CMA Fest” celebrates its grand return, bringing the top country music acts together on one stage for three full hours of collaborations and performances Wednesday, Aug. 3 (8/7c), on ABC, and available next day on Hulu. The primetime special is led by Dierks Bentley and Elle King.

Catch a sneak peek of “CMA Fest” here.

“I think Elle brings so much to the table,” Bentley shared. “On stage, she’s just a riot and also super talented – a great combination of talent with comedic humor. A lot of spontaneous moments between the two of us, and just a lot of laughs.”

“I am co-hosting this whole shebang,” King laughed. “Not only do I get to do it with my buddy Dierks, I also get to see all these incredible performances and be a part of a big party!”

“When Dierks and Elle first performed together at Fest in 2016, I knew they had something special,” Executive Producer Robert Deaton said. “The festival itself may be over but, thanks to these two along with a solid slate of performances and special collaborations, the party continues in homes across America. It was a fun challenge to think differently with our setup these last two years, but it felt great to be back with a full house at the stadium.”

Filmed from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, during the 49th CMA Fest in June, the television special features 30 performances from music’s top stars as they take the stage during the four-day festival. Fans can expect collaborations including Bentley and Billy Ray Cyrus, Wynonna Judd and Carly Pearce, Dustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie Porter, Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson, King and Ashley McBryde, Lady A featuring BRELAND, and Zac Brown Band with Darius Rucker. Additional performers include Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Russell Dickerson, Parker McCollum, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood.