It was a night where country legends collided—Carrie Underwood and Dwight Yoakam lit up the stage with a powerhouse performance during the CMA Summer Jam on Tuesday, July 27. Held at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, this star-studded event kicked off in high style as the two icons delivered a jaw-dropping duet fans won’t soon forget.
Together, they performed Yoakam’s 1993 classic “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere,” followed by the fiery fan-favorite “Guitars, Cadillacs.” Their chemistry was electric, their voices pure magic, and the crowd loved every second.
Carrie, clearly thrilled by the moment, shared a snapshot from the stage on social media, writing:
“Never in a million years would I have thought I’d get to share the stage with someone this cool. Dwight Yoakam, you are a LEGEND—and now, a friend too! Thank you!”
And while the music was the main event, Carrie’s outfit definitely turned heads. Rocking a rhinestone-covered cowboy hat and a dazzling custom look by DanielXDiamond, she paid tribute to Yoakam with fashion inspired by one of his own iconic stage outfits.
Daniel Musto, the designer behind the look, revealed that Carrie’s jacket began as a vintage Levi’s piece, transformed with rhinestone fringe in Los Angeles and finished in Nashville. The custom shorts featured a vintage rhinestone button, and the whole ensemble was topped off with sparkling Alaïa heels and a Saint Laurent tee. Her hat alone took over 25 hours to create!
Carrie teased the look on Instagram before showtime with a playful caption:
“Howdy, partner…”
The opening night of CMA Summer Jam also featured performances from some of country’s biggest stars, including Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Cole Swindell, and Lainey Wilson.
And the party didn’t stop there—Night Two brought even more music magic with artists like Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, and Thomas Rhett taking the stage.
The event is being filmed for a special that will air on ABC, so fans at home will get to experience the music soon.
Best of all, the CMA Summer Jam isn’t just about great performances—it’s about giving back. A portion of ticket proceeds will support the CMA Foundation, which has been championing quality music education across the U.S. since 2011.
So whether you were there in person or cheering from home, this epic night of country music reminded us all why Nashville will always be the heart of country.
