'CMA Best of Fest': Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban end concert with a bang, fans say they want more

Fans were overwhelmed with the fantastic line-up of artistes and many said that they needed more of such music, especially considering the current times
Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban (Getty Images)
Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban (Getty Images)

The 'CMA Best Of Fest' closed with a bang on Monday night on the ABC network as thrilled fans got to witness some new performances and some classic old ones. This retrospective television showcase organized by the Country Music Association served to give fans some great memories from the CMA Fests of the past, along with the lasting hope that we would all soon be able to enjoy a live concert in the near future. 

Childhood friends and choir mates Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina, who are two of country music's modern stars, thrilled fans with their version of the smash hit 'What Ifs' from the 2018 CMA Fest. You can listen to the song here. One fan exclaimed on Twitter, "What Ifs by @kanebrown and @Lauren_Alaina at #CMAfest was amazing!! So glad I could relive that moment." A fan also declared, "Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina sang together in choir at a young age and NOW LOOK at them! That’s real neat." Another admirer observed, "Currently watching #CMABestofFest and have realized I’ve forgotten exactly how beautiful @kanebrown is."



 

But it wasn't all about reliving fond memories from the historic CMA Fests. One of the best new performances from tonight featured two country music icons, Luke Bryan and Darius Rucker, as they performed John Mellencamp's 1985 hit 'Small Town' from the empty Nissan Stadium. Bryan noted that he didn't want to leave us without a special number and they certainly delivered on this entertaining classic. 

Fans were quite excited to see this new rendition of an old favorite and took to social media to voice their feelings. One fan said, "Luke Bryan singing on the #CMAfest tonight so exciting!" A viewer also noted, "Great performance @LukeBryanOnline and @dariusrucker. I love 'Small Town' and you both are amazing." A longtime listener also tweeted, "@LukeBryanOnline and @dariusrucker look like they’re having so much fun performing again and it makes my heart so full omg."

An impressed fan also declared, "What a great way to end the show. Everyone loves @LukeBryanOnline & @dariusrucker. Thank you @CountryMusic for an amazing 'Best Of' #CMAfest show!!" Another fan also stated, "The best of #CMAfest has been fabulous @ABCNetwork thanks for the memories."



 

To close out the epic show, we were treated to an amazing rendition of 'Wasted Time', as performed by the country music superstar Keith Urban at the 2017 CMA Fest. The Australian musician got up close and personal with his fans, performing right in the center of a crowd of excited audience members and the blonde heartthrob could also be seen high-fiving and hugging his fans as he continued to walk through the crowd while singing his heart out. 

Needless to say, fans were loving this display and were singing Urban's praises on social media. One fan said, "Best of Fest saved the very best for last! @KeithUrban #WastedTime." Another impressed viewer said, "Man seeing all this love for @keithurban on #CMAfest is LIT." A fan also noted, "Man I love @KeithUrban such a great entertainer can't wait to see him out on the road soon." As another fan concluded, "The current King of country is from Australia @KeithUrban #CMAfest."

Promo poster for the CMA's Two Nights of Country Music (Country Music Association)

Fans were also being really appreciative of the spectacle that unfolded that evening, with one supporter saying "@LukeBryanOnline @dariusrucker @KeithUrban couldn’t think of ending 'The Best of #CMAFest 2020' better and that’s country music!" Another viewer said what we were all thinking when she exclaimed, "Great show @ABCNetwork! We need more shows like #CMAfest. Nothing better to lift the spirit than music."

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Chicago Fire’ star Taylor Kinney shares the date for the franchise’s next crossover, which will bring all three NBC dramas together
2026-11-12T08:52:55.000Z
James Reynolds reveals his Parkinson’s diagnosis and explains why ‘Days of Our Lives’ is bringing it into Abe Carver’s storyline
2026-11-12T08:23:38.000Z
Charlie Vickers and his ‘The Rings of Power’ co-stars hint at Sauron’s next move and the Season 3 moments that left even the cast struggling for words
2026-11-12T07:50:09.000Z
Nearly three decades after their 1997 horror film, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe are sharing the screen again, this time in the ‘9-1-1’ franchise
2026-11-12T06:55:17.000Z
The Hulu spinoff follows nine MomTok creators in California, with Jen Affleck as the lone original star
2026-11-12T05:10:11.000Z
FX’s comedy series ‘Adults’ follows five friends sharing a home in Queens as they navigate adulthood
2026-11-12T04:36:21.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ Season 15 Episode 6 introduces Violet’s estranged mother, whose unexpected return comes with devastating news
2026-11-12T04:24:26.000Z
A leadership change at DC Studios left the status of the Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre series in question
2026-11-12T04:05:49.000Z
'Chicago Med' Season 12 Episode 6, titled 'Lessons in Chemistry,' sees Freddy return to sign Margaret's estate papers alongside Charles
2026-11-12T03:18:28.000Z
Netflix’s ‘The Body’ explores teenage identity, friendship and repression, with its creators drawing inspiration from their own school years.
2026-11-12T03:00:28.000Z