Brooks & Dunn and Lainey Wilson Set CMA Fest Ablaze With “Play Something Country”

When Brooks & Dunn walked onto the Nissan Stadium stage at CMA Fest 2025, the crowd already knew they were in for a ride. But when the opening chords of “Play Something Country” kicked in — reimagined with powerhouse Lainey Wilson — the energy surged into a full-blown celebration of past, present, and future country music. It was a moment that reminded fans why Brooks & Dunn remain the genre’s enduring icons, and why Lainey Wilson is its brightest rising star.

A Song With History

Originally released in 2005, “Play Something Country” was Brooks & Dunn’s 20th and, to date, final No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The track captured everything that defined their music: fiery guitar riffs, rowdy honky-tonk swagger, and lyrics that demanded the dance floor. It was an unapologetic anthem, one that cemented their reputation as stadium-shaking performers who knew how to balance grit with mainstream appeal.

Fast forward two decades, and the song still holds its punch. In fact, its revival on Reboot II — Brooks & Dunn’s latest collaboration project — gave it a fresh coat of paint. By inviting Lainey Wilson, one of the fastest-rising names in country music, the duo bridged generations and showed how timeless their barnstorming sound really is.

Lainey Wilson’s Impact

Lainey Wilson has built her career on authenticity. With her bell-bottom flair, powerhouse vocals, and down-home Louisiana grit, she’s become one of the genre’s most recognizable new voices. Pairing her with Brooks & Dunn was a masterstroke.

On stage at CMA Fest, Wilson matched Ronnie Dunn’s vocal fire note for note while feeding off Kix Brooks’ playful energy. Her growl on the verses added a sultry bite, while her powerhouse delivery on the chorus gave the song a jolt of modern swagger. Together, they transformed “Play Something Country” from a nostalgic hit into a cross-generational anthem.

“The crowd lost it when Lainey came out,” one fan said afterward. “It felt like watching the torch being passed, but in a way that celebrated both eras.”

Nissan Stadium Erupts

CMA Fest is always about big moments, but this one felt special. With more than 60,000 fans packed into Nissan Stadium, the roar when Brooks & Dunn launched into the track was deafening. Cowboy hats waved in the air, boots stomped in rhythm, and the entire venue turned into one massive honky-tonk.

Stage lights bathed the performers in electric reds and blues as Wilson strutted across the stage with unshakable confidence. Dunn’s soaring vocals cut through the summer night air, while Brooks worked the crowd with his trademark grin and swagger.

By the final chorus, the audience wasn’t just singing along — they were shouting, clapping, and stomping as if the stadium floor itself had turned into a backwoods dance hall.

The Legacy of Brooks & Dunn

For Brooks & Dunn, moments like this prove their staying power. Since their debut in the early 1990s, the duo has sold more than 30 million albums, earned countless awards, and shaped the sound of modern country. Hits like “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “Neon Moon,” and “Play Something Country” remain staples not just of radio, but of the genre’s DNA.

Even after announcing their farewell tour in 2010, the duo has never truly stepped out of the spotlight. Their 2019 album Reboot, which paired them with contemporary stars like Kacey Musgraves and Luke Combs, introduced their music to a new generation. Now, Reboot II and their CMA Fest performance with Lainey Wilson show they’re not simply reliving the past — they’re rewriting it in collaboration with the future.

Why It Resonated

The success of the performance wasn’t just about nostalgia. It was about connection. For older fans, “Play Something Country” rekindled memories of when Brooks & Dunn dominated the charts. For younger audiences, Wilson’s fiery vocals made the song feel current, rebellious, and alive.

Country music thrives on its ability to bridge generations — and this performance embodied that principle. It wasn’t just a duet; it was a dialogue across decades, proving that the spirit of honky-tonk anthems still matters in 2025.

The Fan Response

Social media lit up within minutes of the performance. Clips from Nissan Stadium went viral, with fans praising the chemistry between Brooks & Dunn and Wilson. Comments ranged from “Lainey was born to sing this song” to “This is why country music will never die.”

Industry critics also took note, calling the collaboration one of the highlights of CMA Fest 2025. Some even suggested it set the bar for what legacy acts should strive for: not just nostalgia, but reinvention with authenticity.

A Glimpse of the Future

For Brooks & Dunn, this collaboration may hint at more than just a one-off performance. With Reboot II gaining traction, the duo’s partnership with younger stars could mark the beginning of a new chapter in their career — one that keeps them relevant without sacrificing the core of their sound.

For Lainey Wilson, the moment was another milestone in a career already soaring. Fresh off multiple award wins and chart-topping singles, performing alongside Brooks & Dunn at CMA Fest positioned her not just as the genre’s rising star, but as one of its future torchbearers.

Conclusion: A Barnstormer Reborn

“Play Something Country” was always meant to light a fire under audiences, and at CMA Fest 2025, Brooks & Dunn proved that fire still burns bright. With Lainey Wilson’s fearless energy fanning the flames, the song became more than a trip down memory lane — it became a testament to country music’s enduring spirit.

As the final notes rang out across Nissan Stadium, one truth was clear: Brooks & Dunn may have delivered their last No. 1 single two decades ago, but their music still has the power to storm barns, shake stadiums, and bring generations together. And with artists like Lainey Wilson stepping into the spotlight, the future of country looks every bit as bold, unapologetic, and full of swagger as its past.