Billboard Presents Bud Light Backyard at CMA Fest Kicks Off With Electrifying Sets From Corey Kent, Dalton Dover and Alana Springsteen

Corey Kent opened the first day of performances with a high-octane set that launched with the romantic “Gold,” before completely switching emotional tracks and jumping into an impassioned, despairing version of current single, “This Heart.”

“There’s something you should know about us,” he told the attentive crowd. “I’m from Oklahoma and I want you to think about this next song, a bunch of Oklahoma boys paying at CMA Fest,” before launching into a rowdy, hard rock take on The Beatles’ “Come Together.” The bold, stomping version had fans raising their drinks and singing along.  

Kent then returned to his own material with the driving “Something’s Gonna Kill Me.” With lyrics like “ain’t no way around it, one day I’m going to die,” the song should be a downer, but instead, with its rat-a-tat beat, it’s a celebration of squeezing every moment out of life. “Do You Feel Alive, Nashville?“ Corey asked, to an enthusiastic yes. He followed with the spirited, pulsating “Wild as Her,” which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. “If you know this next part, scream it at the top of your lungs,” he exhorted the audience, who gladly complied.  

“We can’t play Billboard Presents Bud Light Backyard Light without playing a drinking song, so cheers everybody,” Kent said before launching into set closer “Ain’t My Day,” which gave off the same partying vibes as Eric Church’s “Drink in my Hand.” “Make some noise if you’re drinking tonight,” Kent called out before leading the audience in a time-honored sing-off to see which portion of the crowd could sing the loudest. 

Dalton Dover opened his set with a robust “You Need a Rock,” his raspy voice instantly captivating the audience, followed by his ode to rural living, “You Got a Small Town.”

Dover then infused Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away” with a soulful, rough edge, as his drummer added in a little bit of funk to the classic. Dover shifted into a higher gear with the stampeding “Alcohol of Fame,” which proved perfect for the setting, especially when paired with his current single, the steel-guitar laden ‘90s throwback “Bury Me in This Bar.” It was a potent one-two combination that got the crowd dancing and singing along. 

He segued into “Night to Go,” a swaying toe-tapper, before slowing it down with the lush, sensual “Baby I Am.” Dover then returned to covers, this time with a soulful, muscular version of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You,” which he declared was one of his favorite songs, as he led a group singalong.

After leading the audience in a rousing toast, he closed his show with fan request, the mid-tempo, sturdy “Giving Up on That.” 

As the afternoon shifted into evening, Alana Springsteen took the stage to an overflowing room.  She opened with feisty kiss off “You Don’t Deserve a Country Song,” telling the audience, “I’ve written a lot of songs about guys who have broken my heart,” before vowing she was wasting no more energy on them. 

Springsteen, who has a new album coming by the end of the year, used the occasion to introduce a number of new songs that showed off her stunning vocals, including the mid-tempo “Cowboy,” which had a bit of Sheryl Crow vibe, as well as the flirty “Look I Like,” which its catchy come on, “When you walked in, oh my god, you got that look I like.” 

But things turned dark again on the brooding, slinky “Ghost in My Guitar,” a track from Twenty Something that included Chris Stapleton. 

“I started coming to Nashville when I was 10 years old,” the Virginia Beach native said. “I recall dreaming of playing a CMA Fest,” she continued, noting this was her second year at the event. “I’m living my dream right now. This is amazing.” 

She then treated the enthusiastic audience to two new tunes with her silky voice gliding over the notes of the galloping, western-themed “Lovergirl” and the syncopated stomp of “Hold My Beer,” before closing with “Goodbye Looks Good on You,” which she recorded as a duet with Mitchell Tenpenny.