Universal South recording artist Jennifer Hanson was the first artist to perform after the National Anthem. She played "Love Will Find A Way" first. Then she introduced her next song, "Leave The Pieces" as a song she wrote but it was released by a duo that's no longer together but we might recognize it.
Next, Montgomery Gentry rocked the stage with "What Do Ya Think About That," "Something To Be Proud Of" and "Long Line Of Losers." Then they performed their new single, "Back When I Knew It All" before closing with "Gone." Just before leaving the stage, Eddie told the crowd, "We love you and God Bless America."
Following Montgomery Gentry, Taylor Swift introduced Kellie Pickler, as her best friend that had just arrived back in the US from the Persian Gulf. Kellie opened with "I Can't Wait To See You," and "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind." Then, she closed her set with "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," and "Red High Heels."
Storme Warren came on stage and announced the 2008 CMA Festival will be aired on GAC on September 8th and that there will be two autographed guitars given away tonight.
Then, Luke Bryan came on stage and performed "Country Man," his newest single and fan favorite, "All My Friends Say."
After Luke, Taylor Swift introduced Jewel, stating something like, "You think I started young, this next artist started her career at 6 years old singing in Alaska and has sold 25 million albums. Here's Jewel!"
Jewel thanked fans for supporting her first country album called Perfectly Clear and sang "Love Me, Just Leave Me Alone" as she rocked out on her electric guitar before switching to an acoustic guitar to sing "Stronger Woman." Then she introduced her next single, "I Do," saying she got to sing it on the Conan O'Brien show last night.
Switching guitars again, Jewel said she wrote the next song when she was 18 years old and released it on her first album closing her set with "You Where Meant For Me." The audience sang along swaying to an obvious crowd favorite.
Kellie Pickler introduced the surprise guest for the evening, saying she had a wonderful opportunity to tour with the next group and it was like touring with three big brothers, and then welcomed Rascal Flatts.
The guys took the stage launching into "Me and My Gang," "Fast Cars and Freedom" and "Take Me There." Gary greeted the audience saying something like, "There's no other genre of music that has a festival like this. This is our way to say thank you, cuz without you, we don't have jobs. We love you." Then introduced their next song, "Every Day."
Then, Gary asked everyone to get their heads bobbing and they launched into "Bob That Head." The big screen behind the group sported a swirling background as it flashed giant letters spelling out "Bob That Head" and other lines from the song. After the song, Gary closed saying, "Thank you and God bless. Good Night."
Next, Kellie Pickler and Julianne Hough introduced Taylor Swift over a screaming crowd. Taylor opened her set with "Our Song." Between verses in the song Taylor thanked the audience for making it her first No. 1 song.
Then, Taylor introduced her next song as a song she wrote about making choices, and mostly making the right ones and about a guy that cheated on her, "You Should've Said No." Putting down her guitar and picking up a pair of drum sticks, Taylor started beating a stand alone drum in the back of the center stage. She beat the drum wildly swinging her hair to finish out the song.
Taylor thanked the audience for attending the CMA Festival and the Vault stage at the LP Field and they're the reason she gets to sing on that stage. Then, introducing her next song she said something like, "I try to be a nice person but if you break my heart, or hurt my feelings or mess with my friends at the CMA Music Festival I'm going to write a song about you" and then grabbed her guitar as explosions flashed and rolled across the screen behind Taylor as she sang "Picture To Burn." The crowded roared and those not already standing jumped to their feet and started dancing and singing along. Taylor thanked everyone again before leaving the stage.