Dierks Bentley Declares Zach Top the Future of Country Music, Performs “Mountain Music” Medley at CMA Fest 2025

June 26, 2025 10:15 am

For most artists looking to make a name for themselves in country music, it took more than a few years and a single album. But not every singer was Zach Top. Only breaking into the industry a few years ago, Top released his first album, Cold Beer & Country Music, just last year. Hitting No. 4 on the Top Country Albums chart, the singer quickly gained praise for his ability to harness the classic sound of the genre. And while the future of country music has yet to be written, Dierks Bentley declared Top the future of country music at CMA Fest 2025.

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With the CMA Fest welcoming over 90,000 people to the streets of Nashville, the festival offered four days of performances from some of the biggest names in the genre. And while Bentley performed his song “She Hates Me”, he also brought Top to the stage to sing “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)” and a “Mountain Music” medley. Although a memorable moment of the festival, Bentley went beyond just performing alongside Top.

Before Top left the stage, Bentley took a moment to share his thoughts on the future of country music, telling the sea of fans, “You guys know the real deal when you see it.” He added, “The future of country music is right here, Zach Top.” While Bentley praised Top, he ended his speech with “Now get you a** outta here.”

CMA Fest Coming To ABC

Offering fan a chance to see some of the top performances from the festival, the CMA Fest presented by SoFi will kick off tonight starting at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Hosted by country singers Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde, the stars will take fans on a journey through the festival and some of the highlights throughout the event. While the weather threatening the festival this year, not even Mother Nature could stop country music. Airing on ABC, the event will feature three hours worth of performances from some of the top names in the genre.

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While the CMA Fest presented by SoFi teased some of the biggest moments of the festival, ABC wanted to make sure every fan could experience the four-day event. And if you happen to miss the special tonight, don’t worry, the program will be available to stream the following day on Hulu. Given fans a chance to watch the CMA Fest for the first time or just revisit a special performance, tonight, ABC will be overtaken by country music.

Full List Of Performers And Songs

As for the lineup of performances that will air on the CMA Fest presented by SoFi, the producers couldn’t fit every showcase into the three-hour special. But again, this is a highlight of the festival. Here is the full list of performers:

Trace Adkins – “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”
Jason Aldean – “Whiskey Drink”
Jason Aldean and Travis Tritt – “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive”
Kelsea Ballerini – “Baggage”
Dierks Bentley – “She Hates Me”
Dierks Bentley and Zach Top – “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)” and “Mountain Music” Medley
Brooks & Dunn and Lainey Wilson – “Play Something Country”
Brooks & Dunn and Marcus King – “Rock My World (Little Country Girl)”
Luke Bryan – “Country Song Came On”
Jordan Davis – “Bar None”
Riley Green – “Worst Way”
Cody Johnson – “The Fall”
Cody Johnson and Carín León – “She Hurts Like Tequila”
Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll – “Hard Fought Hallelujah”
Ella Langley – “Weren’t For the Wind”
Ashley McBryde – “Rattlesnake Preacher”
Parker McCollum – “What Kinda Man”
Scotty McCreery – “Five More Minutes”
Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay?”
Rascal Flatts – “Life Is A Highway”
Rascal Flatts and Carly Pearce – “My Wish”
The Red Clay Strays – “No One Else Like Me”
Darius Rucker – “Wagon Wheel”
Dylan Scott – “Country Till I Die”
Shaboozey and Jelly Roll – “Amen”
Blake Shelton – “Stay Country or Die Tryin’”
Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins – “Hillbilly Bone”
Zach Top – “I Never Lie”
Keith Urban – “Straight Line”
Bailey Zimmerman and BigXthaPlug – “All The Way”