Eric Church and 4 more top Saturday moments that took CMA Fest to new heights

Day three of the 50th CMA Fest celebrated country music's global potential as not just a pop-crossover genre but also as a branding juggernaut built on universally accessible music, libation-fueled good times and authenticity.

"Country music has the greatest growth potential it has ever had -- I'm excited by just how far we're able to reach with streaming, touring, social media, [CMA Fest] really showcases it all," stated Texas-born and Tennessee-residing country star Tracy Lawrence before opening the evening portion of the festival at Nissan Stadium.

When Lawrence debuted at CMA Fest in 1992, the genre -- and its target demographics -- were much different. Back then, the idea that a rock star artist could cross over into country music, score No. 1 hit singles and then go down to Lower Broadway and officiate a same-sex wedding would seem preposterous .

However, Elle King did just that at 1st and Broadway's ACME Feed and Seed on Saturday afternoon.

Though the moment was unique, King's sentiment highlighted how the country music lifestyle has expanded.

"I love weddings. There's always like free booze and love," King told The Tennessean. "I feel like I'm married to country music, and I feel like I'm a blushing bride and I just wanted to celebrate it."

Alongside the "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)" vocalist presiding over nuptials, here are a few other moments from CMA Fest's penultimate day highlighting the potential of country music's ever-broadening appeal.

K. Michelle debuts at CMA Fest, expands growth for Black, female artistry in country music

It's not unprecedented for a Black woman to play at CMA Fest.

However, when Memphis-born K. Michelle took to the stage in the shadows of the rear of the Ascend Amphitheater at 10 a.m., 90 percent of the crowd was also African-American.

By the end of her set, the crowd was comprised of people from all walks of life, representing many of the 42 countries and 50 states of people attending the festival.

The message they received from the performer could appeal to any fan of country music's truisms.

"Not just because I'm officially sponsored by the brand, but Jack Daniels has always been the only man I'll ever trust," said the vocalist before launching into a track praising God and whiskey -- in that order.

This was followed by a note-perfect rendition of recently deceased pop and rock icon Tina Turner's 1973 single "Nutbush City Limits," backed by choreography provided by two of the "Sophisticated Lady" dancers from Tennessee State University's Grammy-winning Aristocrat of Bands.

K. Michelle also has an EP coming soon featuring the results of her frequent co-writes with singer-songwriters like country chart-topper of the moment ERNEST. Her story has only begun to be told.

Dustin Lynch's 'Pool Situation'

Eight-time country music chart-topper and Tullahoma, Tennessee native Dustin Lynch singing Jimmy Buffett's nearly half-century-old single "Margaritaville" on a stage overlooking the rooftop pool at downtown Nashville's Margaritaville Hotel on a Saturday afternoon during CMA Fest. The moment illustrates how the festival, which for years operated at the Fairgrounds where fans stood in line for autographs, has evolved into a massively lucrative event catering to the luxury traveler -- as well as the thousands who make the trek for free music in Nashville's honky-tonk district.

In 2022, CMA Fest generated $65.2 million in estimated direct visitor spending. Country's growing fanbase is as willing to watch their favorites perform as much as they're eager to sip a margarita and dip their toes in a hotel pool.

"I've done 'Pool Situation' parties for nine years at 'Crash My Playa,' then we had a successful Vegas takeover [in 2021]," Lynch said. "Nashville finally has the hotels and population willing to sustain [the 'Pool Situation'] concept -- I'd have probably done this a decade ago if I could [in Music City]. I think the time has arrived for this concept from an economic, cultural, social and music industry perspective."

Little Big Town's catalog of hits celebrate country

As a quartet built upon four-part harmonies, Little Big Town's acclaim is predicated upon four individual standout performers blending their voices into a stunning singular instrument. However, when the act's ability to incorporate charisma into song interpretation, the magic of what makes the foursome a superstar country act emerges.

At various points during their CMA Fest set, tinges of Fleetwood Mac's rock and The Staple Singers' gospel blended- with the group's own two decades of fanciful pop-country style to present the best overall set of CMA Fest 2023 so far.

"This is a big ole party tonight," stated Karen Fairchild. Then, she and Kimberly Schlapman started into 2010's "Little White Church." On Saturday evening, their seasoned and more impassioned than usual stylings allowed the lyrics "no more calling me baby / no more loving like crazy" to hit with an elevated emotional impact.

Also, songs like "Better Man" and "Girl Crush" -- two of the more heart-wrenching ballads in country music's modern history -- captivated the crowd, as the group tapped into the spirit of the tens of thousands gathered at Nissan Stadium.

Little Big Town are a nine-time CMA Award-winning group. On this night, they were better than even that level of acclaim.

And yes, their cheeky favorites like "Boondocks," "Pontoon" and "Wine, Beer, Whiskey" were all present, too. In 2020's "Wine, Beer, Whiskey," in particular, the mid-track genre changes allowing the song to have its inherent catchiness particularly connected on a breezy Saturday evening.

Jon Pardi showcases growing mastery of country traditions

Attired in a black waistcoat decorated with chain-stitched flowers adorned with rhinestones, newly-minted Grand Ole Opry member Jon Pardi stormed onstage, bringing his Bakersfield-style brand of honky-tonking to night three of CMA Fest.

He kicked off the set with his double-platinum-selling top-ten single "Night Shift," then shifted energies into another 2016-released favorite, "Heartache on the Dance Floor." Pardi's neotraditional look is authentic to his influences. Still, musically, he and his band's well-honed sonic diversity allows for a brand of countrified pop, just on the edge of rock, that connects powerfully with his audience.

After noting the cooling temperatures, he launched into accordion-driven and Texas border style-ballad "Tequila Little Time." Few artists in country's mainstream are as adept at all of country music and Western culture's sonic influences as Pardi.

If you were in attendance at Nissan Stadium and needed your fill of fiddle, pedal steel and outlaw country vibes? Pardi's "Heartache Medication" is a master class in all three.

Choosing to close his set with "Head Over Boots," though, is a clear reminder that Pardi, when best, is a lovestruck honky-tonk crooner aiming for as many hearts and the bottoms of as many bottles as he is the top of Billboard's charts.

Eric Church closes the night

Twelve months after playing Night Three of CMA Fest -- via his soon-opening, six-story Lower Broadway establishment Chief's -- Eric Church will add restauranteur to his list of astounding accomplishments.

Until that occurs, Church seems plenty content with his place as a CMA Fest headliner able command a foot-stomping crows as he sings of "country music Jesus preachin' from the book of Johnny Cash."

As the 46-year-old country icon launched into his set by playing "Country Music Jesus," fans stood at rapt attention.

Few vocals in the genre hearken a foot-stomping good time like Church's background singers' wails. Three minutes into the multiple-time CMA Award-winner's set, they soared over all of Nissan Stadiums100 yards multiple times as Church's funk-aided rock 'n roll closed the night.

His set included his 2009 classic "Smoke A Little Smoke," among many grooves.

"I've had the greatest nights of my life here, so it's always fun to come back and do this," stated Church as the night drew to a close.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest 2023: 5 moments from Saturday that showcase country's growth