The Country Music Association announced today that country superstars Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini will return to co-host the annual CMA Fest special, airing later this summer on ABC. Joining the pair as a special guest host is multi-talented media personality Bobby Bones.
“‘CMA Fest’ is always the summer’s must-see music event with the biggest names in country music,” says Rob Mills, ABC Entertainment Senior Vice President, Alternative Series, Specials & Late-Night Programming. “With Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini returning for their third year and Bobby Bones joining them as special guest host, we know this summer’s festival will knock it out of the park.”
More than 300 artists will perform at CMA Fest 2019, which runs Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9.
Taking the stage for the nightly shows at Nissan Stadium is an all-star lineup featuring Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, Maren Morris, David Lee Murphy, Old Dominion, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Marty Stuart, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Brett Young.
Recipients of the CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship, Kassi Ashton, Travis Denning and Jameson Rodgers, will also perform, while Lindsay Ell, Runaway June and Jimmie Allen will make appearances to sing the National Anthem.
The three-hour concert special will air Sunday, August 4 at 8/7c on ABC.
A portion of ticket proceeds from CMA Fest benefits music education initiatives across the country through the CMA Foundation.
