Ashley McBryde took a break from her CMA Fest co-hosting duties to perform her latest release, “Rattlesnake Preacher.”
Joined by her band, known as the Deadhorse, the country superstar, donning an all black ensemble complete with leather pants and a black tank top, stormed the stage with her brand-new song. McBryde strummed her electric guitar and allowed her signature rock-esque vocals to shine vibrantly.
“My daddy was a rattlesnake preacher / My daddy was a man of God / My daddy was a rattlesnake preacher / In south Alabama,” McBryde sings on the chorus of the track.
Produced John Osborne of Brothers Osborne, “Rattlesnake Preacher” was written by McBryde’s late friend and collaborator Randall Clay. The Arkansas native released the tune to honor the legacy of Clay.
“I’ve written nearly every song on all my records, so when I cut one I didn’t write, it means something,” McBryde detailed. “Randall was part of a group of songwriters that helped me write some of the most formative songs of my career, and his songs will always find a home with me to continue his legacy.”
The track arrived on Thursday (June 26) after fan demand, as the song has become a staple in her live concerts. “‘Rattlesnake Preacher’ has been a staple in our live show since the bar days, and we’ve constantly been asked by fans when it’ll make it onto a record,” McBryde said in a statement (via a press release).
She continued, “It felt like the perfect time to finally get this one out there. It’s my way of saying thank you to the fans who have shown up, listened and gave this song life long before it was ever recorded.”
2025 CMA Fest
Dubbed “The Music Event of Summer,” CMA Fest Presented by SoFi featured 30+ performances from some of Country music’s hottest stars, including Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Jordan Davis, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum, Rascal Flatts, The Red Clay Strays, Dylan Scott, Zach Top, Keith Urban and more.
The three-hour broadcast also included unforgettable collaborations from the 2025 CMA Fest. Brooks & Dunn teamed up with Lainey Wilson for “Play Something Country” and with Marcus King for “Rock My World [Little Country Girl],” Dierks Bentley joined forces with Zach Top on “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)” and a “Mountain Music” medley, Cody Johnson and Carín León performed “She Hurts Like Tequila,” Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll delivered a powerful performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” Jason Aldean and Travis Tritt united for “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive,” Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins teamed up for “Hillbilly Bone,” and Bailey Zimmerman and BigXthaPlug showcased their new duet “All The Way” and more.
CMA Fest presented by SoFi was filmed at Nissan Stadium during Music City’s four-day country music festival, which took place Thursday, June 5, through Sunday, June 8. 2025 marked the 19th consecutive year that CMA has produced a summer concert TV special. The show is a production of the Country Music Association, executive produced and written by Robert Deaton and directed by Alan Carter. The 2025 airing marks the 22nd consecutive year CMA has produced a summer concert TV special.
The CMA Fest special aired on Thursday, June 26 at 8/7c on ABC and is available to watch on-demand on Friday, June 27 via Hulu.
