Dierks Bentley Shines With High-Energy Performance Of ‘Gold’ At CMA Fest

Dierks Bentley paused his CMA Fest hosting duties to take to the Nissan Stadium stage for a performance of his latest chart-topping hit, “Gold.” 

Donning a white t-shirt and jeans, the country superstar delivered an energetic performance of the song, that reminds listeners to look at life from a different perspective and to cherish life’s little moments. 

“I got some rust on my Chevy but it’s ready to roll / I got a rhinestone sky and a song in my soul / It ain’t a smooth ride, life, it’s a winding road / Yeah, it might be gravel, but it feels like gold,” Bentley sings on the tune’s chorus.

Bentley co-wrote “Gold” alongside Luke Dick, Ross Copperman, Trent Dabbs and Ashley Gorley. It became his 22nd No.1 hit when it reached the top spot on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart in May. 

“When we wrote ‘Gold,’ I wanted to write a song that captures the idea of enjoying the journey,” Bentley explained in a statement. “The reality is that there are a lot of rocky times that we all go through, but amongst all the tough stuff, when you look for the special moments it can change how you view the world. I know that’s a reminder I need for myself, so the fans and Country radio embracing it means a lot.”

The song is one of 14 tracks that appears on Bentley’s Gravel & Gold album. The project marks his 10th studio album and is a true celebration of the Arizona native’s 20-year career. It also highlights Bentley’s vast array of musical influences. 

The three-hour CMA Fest special was hosted by Dierks Bentley, Elle King, and Lainey Wilson and aired on ABC on Wednesday, July 19. 

Dubbed “the music event of summer,” the special featured 30+ performances and surprise collaborations from some of Country music’s hottest stars, including Alabama, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Leon Bridges, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Vince Gill, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Avril Lavigne, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker, Tanya Tucker, Keith Urban, and Lainey Wilson.  

CMA Fest marked its 50th Anniversary with a record-breaking celebration in Nashville, June 8 through June 11. 

The four-day event hosted an estimated daily attendance of over 90,000, a 12% increase from 2022, according to the Country Music Association. Additionally, the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium saw 10% growth from 2022.

The festival also hosted fans from all 50 states as well as a record-breaking 51 countries.

“What a weekend! As we’ve spent the past year reflecting on this milestone celebration, one theme has persisted—the incredible connection between Country Music fans and the artists,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, shared in a statement. “It’s magical because it still matters after all these years. From first-timers to legends, so many artists started as fans—some as far back as Fan Fair. Almost every artist who performs during the festival has had their own experience as a fan, so for many of them, taking the stage at CMA Fest is a full-circle moment. We only get the chance to celebrate our 50th anniversary once, and to do so in such an impactful way has meant the world to us. Thank you, Country Music!”   

More than 300 acts took part in CMA Fest this year, including performances at the Chevy Riverfront Stage, Dr Pepper Amp Stage, Chevy Vibes Stage, Maui Jim Reverb Stage and the Hard Rock Stage as well at Fan Fair X inside Music City Center.