NASHVILLE — Fresh off two magical nights of Country Music from the open-air Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville, the Country Music Association and ABC have announced that “CMA Summer Jam” will air Thursday, Sept. 2 on ABC (8:00-11:00 PM/ET). Filmed amidst the skyline of downtown, the three-hour, artist-curated primetime special will feature individual performances and collaborations from more than 20 of the biggest stars in Country Music.
Artists featured in “CMA Summer Jam” will include Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Florida Georgia Line, Mickey Guyton, Miranda Lambert, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson and Dwight Yoakam all performing from Ascend Amphitheater.
Additional performances featured in the primetime special will include Bentley with BRELAND and HARDY live from Bentley’s Whiskey Row nightclub on Broadway, Eric Church from the center of the city’s John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge overlooking the Cumberland River, and Darius Rucker taking the outdoor stage at Nashville’s brand new Fifth & Broadway complex downtown.
“I am still grinning ear to ear from these last two nights of incredible live Country Music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Seeing artists finally return to the stage and the reaction from fans was absolutely electric. Viewers are in for such a treat from familiar superstars and fresh new faces when ‘CMA Summer Jam’ airs on Sept. 2 on ABC.”
Filmed throughout July, “CMA Summer Jam” marks the first concert broadcast event for CMA in nearly two years. Artists and fans alike shared favorite moments on social media using #CMASummerJam, which is also the official hashtag of the primetime special. Long-standing CMA partner Chevrolet was the premier sponsor of the on-site event at Ascend Amphitheater.
To ensure the safety of all “CMA Summer Jam” working personnel and performing talent, CMA implemented extensive COVID-19 testing requirements, daily health checks and mask mandates in accordance with the guidelines of DGA, IATSE, SAG/AFTRA, Teamsters and Basic Craft unions, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, in line with current CDC guidance, CMA provided onsite signage and verbal reminders strongly encouraging ticketed guests who were not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings unless they were actively eating, drinking, or were otherwise exempt from having to wear a face covering.
“CMA Summer Jam” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer and Writer, and Alan Carter is the Director.
About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. Music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a network television special, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on ABC.
About ABC Entertainment
ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” the longest-running medical drama in primetime television; riveting dramas “The Good Doctor,” “A Million Little Things,” “Station 19” and fall’s groundbreaking No. 1 new series, “Big Sky”; trailblazing comedy favorites “black-ish,” “The Conners,” “The Goldbergs” and “Home Economics”; the popular Summer Fun & Games programming block, including “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Holey Moley,” “Match Game,” “Press Your Luck” and “To Tell the Truth”; star-making sensation “American Idol”; reality phenomenon “Shark Tank”; “The Bachelor” franchise; long-running hits “Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos”; “General Hospital,” which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”; as well as two critically acclaimed, Emmy® Award-winning “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” specials. The network also boasts some of television’s most prestigious awards shows, including “The Oscars®,” “The CMA Awards” and the “American Music Awards.”