Photo: ABC/Robby Klein
Dierks Bentley and Elle King returned to co-host this year’s highly-anticipated CMA Fest during the iconic event’s 50th anniversary, and this time, “Watermelon Moonshine” star Lainey Wilson joined them.
The trio appear to have shared a strong (and fun) onscreen chemistry, as the Country Music Association has shown with brief teasers on its social media channels leading up to the show’s three-hour special on Wednesday (July 19). That includes a hilarious blooper reel, capturing the three superstar artists laughing as they trip over their words and re-do takes together.
Bentley, King and Wilson were revealed as the hosts of the 50th CMA Fest last month, shortly before the fest took place from June 8-11 in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The televised special will feature performances (including some surprise collaborations), including Luke Combs, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan and many others.
The Country Music Association also marked the 50th anniversary of CMA Fest with a 75-minute documentary, CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair, which premiered earlier this month. The documentary features interviews with legendary artists, a look back at some of the most memorable moments at CMA Fest (originally Fan Fair), performances and more.
CMA Fest will air on ABC (and will be available the next day on Hulu) on Wednesday, July 19 at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CT.