The 2023 CMA Festival is Nashville’s party of the year. The massive country music concert festival ran from Thursday June 8 through Sunday June 11 and based off photos fan favorite singing show alums posted on Instagram, a good time was had by all.
19 Recordings showcase featuring fan favorite American Idols
Kicking off the weekend, American Idol record label, 19 Recordings sponsored a showcase at The Valentine featuring 8 alums, including season 21 winner, Iam Tongi, runnerup Megan Danielle, 2nd runner-up, Colin Stough and Top 8 finalist Haven Madison. The show will also feature 19 Recording artists Fritz Hager (Season 20), Grace Leer (Season 18), HunterGirl (Season 20 runner-up) and Noah Thompson (Season 20 winner). Additionally, pals like season 21 finalist Oliver Steele came out to support!
Grace Leer posted a bunch of group photos, including a shot of the performing group. Click through to see them all.
Haven Madison and Iam Tongi mug for the camera
Oliver Steele penned a heartfelt message about struggling post-American Idol, but that getting back together with his friends lifted his spirits. He wrote, “Going on @americanidol means more than just competing. It’s more than a trophy or a record deal. It’s finding family you never thought you’d have. Forging memories that will last a lifetime.” Click through all the photos.
Oliver Steele and Iam Tongi hung out at a Whataburger and played some tunes.
The Rest of the Fest
Some of your favorite singing show alms played on stages all over Nashville. Check out a few photos and videos below.
2022 American Idol winner Noah Thompson invited Colin Stough on stage during his set. Last year 2021 winner Chayce Beckham invited Noah and HunterGirl on stage. Full circle!
Colin also posted photos of himself with country music stars like Dustin Lynch,
American Idol season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina is having a big week. She just released her new EP Unlocked her first for Big Loud Records. She performed on stage with HARDY.
“I have to be honest with y’all, I never in a million years thought I’d see this many people in the audience today,” wrote HunterGirl. “I cried looking at these pictures. Thank you SO much to everyone who came out to support me.”
Chayce Beckham at Spotify House. His American Idol winners single “23” has amassed millions of streams since he released it two years ago.
The Voice season 4 winner Danielle Bradbery also performed at Spotify House.
“What a surprise we had this morning with a HUGE crowd in a attendance at 10:15 AM,” The Voice season 22 winner Bryce Leatherwood writes. “I can’t tell you how much I love my incredible fans and how happy I was to put on a show for all of y’all.”
The Voice season 8 finalist, Corey Kent, is having a big year, including a No. Country 1 hit, “Wild as Her” and a new album, Blacktop. The singer muses about living in Nashville trying to make it as a songwriter, and while watching Maren Morris on a CMA stage, he vowed to be standing on the Riverfront stage some day, just like her!
The Voice season 9 runner-up Emily Ann Roberts writes “When I saw y’all out there singing along it literally made my whole life!!!!!”
2022 America’s Got Talent finalists Chapel Hart Band and Drake Milligan.
