Must-See Live Music: Whiskey Jam's Explosive CMA Fest Show
Whiskey Jam has been shaking up Nashville's music scene since January 2011, turning what started as a modest Monday night writer's gig into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. Fast forward to this year’s CMA Fest, and Whiskey Jam took over the Ascend Amphitheater with a killer lineup that had everyone from die-hard country fans to pop aficionados buzzing. And guess what? All this musical magic was in support of the CMA Foundation, so attendees not only got to enjoy top-tier performances but also did some good while at it.
All Photos By: Aaron R. Shriver PhotographyWith tickets starting at just $15, it was like finding a golden ticket in your cereal box. From rising stars to surprise pop-ins by big names, Whiskey Jam proved once again why it's a must-attend event in Nashville.
Click Here For The Full Vincent Mason Photo GalleryVincent Mason and Graham Barham kicked things off with enough energy to light up Nashville’s skyline. Their short but fiery sets were the perfect start, getting everyone hyped for the night. Graham had the crowd grooving with "Whiskey Whiskey," setting a mood that was half-party, half-poetry.
Click Here For The Full Graham Barham Photo GalleryThen Vincent took the mic with "Hell Is A Dance Floor," and trust me, no one was left standing still. These guys didn’t just perform; they brought an electric vibe that set the tone for everything that followed. It was like they’d been doing this for decades.
Click Here For The Full Edwin McCain Photo GalleryEdwin McCain’s appearance was the kind of twist that makes Whiskey Jam legendary. He looked out at the sea of faces, ready to drop some nostalgia bombs. Before belting out "Could Not Ask For More," he quipped, “I think some of you were conceived to this song,” cracking everyone up. His heartfelt delivery of "I'll Be" had couples slow dancing like it was prom night all over again.
We Caught Up With Edwin After His Whiskey Jam SetEdwin didn’t just perform; he created a mini time-travel session back to the '90s, and everyone was here for it. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered magic that made you forget about the outside world, even if just for a few minutes.
Click Here For The Full Lakeview Photo GalleryLakeview took the stage and cranked the energy dial up to 11. Fresh off a tour with Staind and Breaking Benjamin, these guys turned the lawn into a rowdy mosh pit with their hit "Home Team." Seriously, even Nashville’s squirrels were headbanging. Lakeview are like the cool uncles of Whiskey Jam, always bringing the fun and a bit of chaos. Their set was a full-throttle, no-holds-barred jam session that had the crowd rocking out and screaming for more. If you weren't already a fan, you definitely left as one.
Click Here For The Full Ian Munsick Photo GalleryIan Munsick brought the spirit of the Wild West straight to Nashville, and let me tell you, it was a hoedown for the ages. His set was like a shot of pure cowboy adrenaline, with tunes like "Barn Burner" making everyone stomp their boots and holler like they were at a rodeo. The crowd was eating it up, dancing like there was no tomorrow, and belting out lyrics right along with him. Ian's blend of country and western sounds, combined with his natural showmanship, turned the Ascend Amphitheater into a high-energy barn party. It was impossible not to get swept up in the fun, and by the end of his performance, he had everyone convinced they needed a ten-gallon hat and a lasso. Munsick didn’t just perform; he took everyone on a wild, musical ride, and they loved every second of it.
Click Here For The Full Colbie Caillat Photo GalleryColbie Caillat brought some serious pop-star power to the Whiskey Jam stage, and let's just say, the crowd was loving every second of it. Her mega-hits "Realize" and "Bubbly" had everyone belting out the lyrics like they were auditioning for American Idol. It was a sing-along of epic proportions, showing that Whiskey Jam doesn’t care about genres, just good original music.
Then Gabby Barrett and Randy Houser came in hot to wrap things up. These two turned the energy up to a hundred and had the crowd buzzing. With performances that could blow the roof off, they made sure the night ended on a high note. Whiskey Jam at CMA Fest was a wild ride from start to finish, and if you haven’t caught one of these shows yet, you’re seriously missing out.
