USA Today said Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam kicked off the festival and featured performances by Charlie Daniels, Gretchen Wilson, Kathy Mattea and Big & Rich's John Rich.

"I recorded with Kenny Rogers today, then I wound up getting drunk with Mel Tillis," Rich told the newspaper backstage. "So it's been a pretty good (expletive) day."

The CMA festival lineup also included appearances by Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Dwight Yoakum.

Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler and Julianne Hough were also on hand. The three singers were named co-hosts of the TV special "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," which is to air Sept. 8 on ABC, USA Today said.