Billboard‘s Nation Energy Gamers offered by Bud Mild was the proper option to kick off CMA Fest 2025 in Nashville. Attendees at Class 10 celebrated the achievements of musicians and executives in nation music over the past yr whereas being handled to ice-cold Bud Mild from the night’s sponsor. That is companion content material.
Billboard‘s Melinda Newman kicked off the night by introducing this yr’s host, Reyna Roberts. She teed up the primary performer of this system, Carin Leon. The home was stuffed with A-list presenters like Shaboozey, Garth Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Daigle and Brothers Osborne. Different unimaginable expertise attended the festivities to help their friends like Bailey Zimmerman and Max McNown.
These in attendance danced to tunes curated by Dj Grant Fisher whereas they loved light-bites and refreshing Bud Mild drafts and tall boys.
This yr’s honorees included BigXThaPlug, who took house the Innovator Award, Ella Langley as 2025’s Trailblazer, and Riley Inexperienced who nabbed the Groundbreaker Award. This yr’s government honorees have been Tatum Allsep, who accepted the Affect Award whereas Stacy Vee took house Govt of the Yr. Billboard‘s Jim Asker was given a commemorative farewell Billboard cowl.
The night ended with a Little Huge City efficiency and the group accepting the inaugural Ben Vaughn Music Champion award, the place they gave a heart-warming speech devoted to the late Warner Music Nashville president/CEO.