CMA Fest 2023: Our expert picks for must-see acts on Friday's lineup

Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean
Updated ·3 min read
1

Day Two of the 50th CMA Fest will feel like it's 90 degrees outside with the sun's extreme-index UV rays beating down on you. Thus, for as much as the desire to be outside all the time feels necessary, erring on the side of caution with a few more indoor activities feels wise.

As the country music reporter here at The Tennessean, it's my job to, day-by-day, take a broad yet nuanced survey of the genre at-large. Accordingly, I've taken a look at the full scope of the day's events at CMA Fest and for Friday, here's what I believe could create — outside of the evening's slate of performers at Nissan Stadium — some of the potential highlights of CMA Fest's second morning and afternoon.

10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

  • Riverfront Stage: Priscilla Block is currently, low-key one of the most compelling live performers in country music. She's gained renown for Tik-Tok acclaim and being an advocate for body positivity in the genre. However, it's the fact that she's a gleeful, blinged-out, top-knot hairdo and stacked-heel platform boot wearer throwing caution to the wind that makes her intriguing. Yes, all of the previously-mentioned notions are still there (she's currently an official SHEIN clothing model), but songs like "My Bar" and "Off The Deep End" are genuinely fun in the live realm.

CMA Fest 2023: A guide for first-time festival-goers and seasoned veterans

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

  • Fan Fair X at Music City Center: Looking for the classic pre "CMA Fest"-days experience? Check out the Fan Fair X activations inside Music City Center, directly across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Bridgestone Arena. Hick-hop OG Cowboy Troy (yes, of Big & Rich's MuzikMafia fame), rising Texas traditionalist Jake Worthington, Mexican-American top-20 chart-topper Frank Ray and chart-topper Jameson Rodgers will all be present for meet and greets. Plus, the soulful mother-daughter country act O.N.E The Duo will be performing.

12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: CMT's 2023 Next Women of Country class members Kimberly Kelly, Catie Offerman, MaRynn Taylor, Kasey Tyndall and Julie Williams will appear in a songwriting round at the museum's CMA Theater. The decade-old program has previously highlighted artists including Lauren Alaina, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Brandy Clark, Lindsay Ell, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Carly Pearce and Lainey Wilson. Especially of note, Offerman's new single "I Just Killed A Man" and Williams' "Big Blue House" highlight material overall standout group of singer-songwriters.

1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

  • Riverfront Stage: A year after emerging past her "ten-year-town" angst at not achieving Music City stardom, now award-winning and Grammy-nominated, small-town Iowa-born country singer-songwriter Hailey Whitters has blended songs driven by homespun wisdom like "Everything She Ain't" alongside seasoned musicianship and entertainment flair to be on the cusp of breakout appeal. She's developed a passionate independent fanbase that, now that she's a staple of country radio, is only growing stronger. This performance should feel like you're being swept into an irrepressible tidal wave of support.

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

  • Riverfront Stage: Warner-signed Madeline Edwards' jazz and pop-chord-inspired takes on rock-styled country sound unlike anything else in the genre. She's toured with Chris Stapleton, is a favorite of Elle King, is a former CMT Next Women of Country class member, plus appeared on the CMA Awards with Mickey Guyton and Brittney Spencer, plus CMT Music Awards with Alanis Morrissette. She also "ain't scared of nothin'," or so she belts when she sings her song "The Wolves." The Texan with California roots is a whirlwind of energy on stage and has a way of winning over fans whose ears and bodies are open to heavy, hard grooves.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest 2023 Friday lineup: Don't miss these hand-picked performances