Riley Green turned up the heat at CMA Fest with a sizzling performance of his chart-topping hit, “Worst Way,” lighting up the Nissan Stadium stage during The Music Event of the Summer.
The 36-year-old Alabama native lit up the stage with his signature southern swagger and charm, captivating over 70,000 fans with a smoldering performance of his steamy hit that left the crowd swooning. Wearing a fitted tan pearl snap shirt with the top buttons open, jeans and a cowboy hat, Green was all smiles as he strummed his guitar and sang the lyrics to the hit track.
“I want you in the worst way, my hands are needin’ your hips/ Want the first taste of whiskey to be off your lips/ So close all the blinds, lock all the doors/ Put away anything that’ll break/ Baby, I need you tonight/ Let’s see how much love we can make/ I want you in the worst way,” Green sang on the track’s spicy chorus.
The performance marked a standout moment during the 52nd anniversary of CMA Fest, further cementing Green’s status as a superstar in country music.
Written entirely by Riley Green, “Worst Way” is featured on his most recent album, Don’t Mind If I Do. The sultry track officially hit Country radio on February 10, 2025, as the third single from the 2024 release. By June 2025, it soared to the top of the charts, earning Green his third No. 1 hit and his first chart-topper as a solo artist.
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, Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Jordan Davis, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum, Ashley McBryde, 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.
