Ashley McBryde and Cody Johnson Reflect on Friendship, Hosting Gig Ahead of ‘CMA Fest’ Special

Tonight, Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde will join forces to co-host “CMA Fest presented by SoFi,” airing Thursday, June 26 at 8/7c on ABC and next day on Hulu. 

Ahead of the show, the pair of artists opened up about their friendship, and the opportunity to host the show together. 

McBryde, who co-hosted CMA Fest with Jelly Roll in the past, recalled the moment she got the call to return as a host, and shared her excitement about teaming up with Cody Johnson this time around.

“I love hosting. I didn’t have any idea when I took the gig the first time, just how much I would enjoy it. So me and Jelly Roll had a great time,” she explained. 

This time, she “got the call” and they asked, “Would you like to do it again this year? And your co-host will be Cody Johnson.” 

Her immediate answer? Yes! 

“We’d been on tour together. We’ve got a great rapport. We’re sort of like cousiney feeling, not really brother and sister, but we appreciate what one another does and we still rib at each other a little bit,” she shared of Johnson, later adding, “And he’s a natural. He’s a natural at it. I hope I get to host with him again.”

Johnson echoed McBryde’s excitement, admitting, “It’s going to be fun.” 

“Ashley and I work really well together. She was one of those people that, the first time I met her, I felt like I’d known her for the last 15 years. She’s such a big personality and so good on a microphone, so I’m looking forward to just having fun,” he said. 

While the Texas native admitted that reading from a script didn’t come naturally, he said he felt right at home once the cameras started rolling.

“It was a little weird in script reading because reading a script feels very stagnant and it’s just kind of sitting there, but whenever you add the crowd, the teleprompters are rolling, the camera’s rolling, it’s got that energy to it,” he stated. “I think we’re going to have a blast.”

Both Johnson and McBryde will pull double duty during the three-hour special, serving as both hosts and performers.

Johnson is set to perform his latest single, “The Fall,” as well as  “She Hurts Like Tequila” with  Carín León. Meanwhile, McBryde will take the stage to perform the just-released “Rattlesnake Preacher.” 

“CMA Fest presented by SoFi” will also feature performances by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, BigXthaPlug, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, Riley Green, Jelly Roll, Marcus King, Brandon Lake, Ella Langley, Parker McCollum, Scotty McCreery, Megan Moroney, Carly Pearce, Rascal Flatts, The Red Clay Strays, Darius Rucker, Dylan Scott, Shaboozey, Blake Shelton, Zach Top, Travis Tritt, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman.  

These can’t-miss performances took place during the 52nd CMA Fest just a couple of weeks ago in Nashville.