Dierks Bentley and Zach Top Unite for Nostalgia-Filled Country Medley at CMA Fest

Dierks Bentley and Zach Top united during the final night of CMA Fest 2025 and took fans on a nostalgic journey down memory lane as they performed a medley of “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)” and “Mountain Music.”

Before welcoming the “I Never Lie” singer to the stage, Bentley kicked things off by leaning into his signature feel good energy with the 2007 hit “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go).”

He then surprised the crowd by inviting Top to return to the stage following the rising star’s own set on the main stage earlier in the night. The energy on stage suddenly shifted into full-blown celebration when Bentley and Top seamlessly transitioned into Alabama’s beloved ‘80s classic, “Mountain Music.” The crowd erupted with cheers and sang along to every word.

The pair of well-known voices in country music blended together in perfect harmony as the sounds of a fiddle and banjo cut through the stadium speakers. Top also showed off his epic guitar skills accompanied by a roaring fiddle solo that got fans on their feet at the very end of the performance.

This delivery marked a big moment in Top’s career, as he got to jump from the small platform stage to the main stage inside the stadium.

“It’s always a little more nervous when you’re going to be on TV and everything. But very excited and honored that we get to share our music on that big platform,” he shared.

Before making his exit, Bentley told the crowd, “That’s the future of country music, right there, Zach Top,” shouting out the young artist and encouraging fans to catch him live when he makes his way through their towns.

Bentley’s praise for Top didn’t end there.

“I’ve been saying for a year now, Zach’s the future of country music. He really is. He’ll be as big as Morgan Wallen,” he said backstage. “that traditional country, thing’s hot right now and no one’s doing it like Zach, nobody’s done it like Zach. I mean, his voice is incredible. So if you love country music, we all do, you just hear it in his voice. He just does that thing well, great guitar player, funny, good looking guy. I mean, he’s like a George Strait,” Bentley continued. “I just think he’s the future and future’s in good hands for sure.”

Zach Top and Dierks Bentley have recently made a habit out of sharing the stage as the rising act is currently on the road as support for Bentley’s Gravel & Gold Tour. During a recent stop on the trek Top even made his debut as “Billy Bottoms,” a jorts-wearing character in Bentley’s parody band, Hot Country Knights.

Bentley, who once interned for CMA himself, reflected on the gravity of the Nissan Stadium stage and the importance of the weekend in Music City.

“It’s like, people would pay to be on that stage to get a chance to be on the big Nissan Stadium stage and in front of all those fans, the greatest fans in country music that are here, these are the ones that travel, they fly, drive, spend a lot of money to be here and be part of this weekend. So it’s a real honor to be on that stage. And I’ve always thought of this show as a country music Thanksgiving, just to thank those fans that made that trek to be here and support you over the years. So it’s just so fun to be on that stage. It really is special.”

Now, the tradition continues with Bentley’s own daughter who interned for CMA Fest this year.

“My daughter’s been interning with the CMA, I interned with the CMA back 30 years ago, so it’s kind of full circle moment for her to be out here,” he shared. “There’s a lot of memories on stage, off stage, working on both sides of the microphone, so it’s just special for sure. It feels so great to be back out. There’s so fun.”

Fans got the chance to relive their Nashville performance during “CMA Fest presented by SoFi,” the star-studded three-hour special that aired Thursday, June 26 at 8/7c on ABC and is available to view the next day on Hulu.