LS ‘“I’VE NEVER SEEN THE CMA STAGE SHAKE LIKE THAT.” Brandon Coleman walked onto the CMA Fest stage like he wasn’t even trying, yet the whole atmosphere shifted the second he appeared. With just his first line, tens of thousands of people froze — that kind of silence you only hear when something truly big is happening. His voice was thick and warm, but there was a wild edge in it that made your heartbeat jump a little. The Red Clay Strays held the rhythm behind him, steady and sharp, giving him space to hit even harder. No fireworks. No flashy tricks. Just one man singing with everything he had… and making the entire CMA tremble. Everyone there knew they had just witnessed “a moment you don’t forget.” ‘

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The Red Clay Strays Make a Powerful CMA Fest Debut at Nissan Stadium

“This is our first time playing Nissan Stadium,” Brandon Coleman announced as The Red Clay Strays stepped onto the massive stage—marking a milestone moment in the band’s fast-rising career.

The group, photographed by Andrew Wendowski and celebrated throughout CMA Fest, delivered a standout performance of their song No One Else Like Me, bringing confidence and raw energy to their debut at one of Country music’s most iconic events.

A Milestone That Echoes Their Rise

Before taking the stage, Coleman reflected on the significance of the moment, comparing it to another turning point in their journey—opening for The Rolling Stones at Gillette Stadium. “I really don’t feel anything until we go out on stage,” he shared. “When we opened up for the Rolling Stones at Gillette, it was pretty incredible. So hopefully we can have the same level of excitement.”

Their set featured No One Else Like Me from their 2024 album Made by These Moments, produced by Dave Cobb. Coleman also revealed that the band has been back in the studio with Cobb, “recording, doing things, making sounds in a room with microphones,” hinting at more new music to come.

A Breakout Year and an Expanding Audience

The Red Clay Strays have experienced a tremendous breakthrough in 2025. While the band remains grounded, they take pride in knowing their music is reaching more listeners and helping fans through difficult moments.

“It feels great just knowing that our music has helped a lot of people come out of low spots that they’ve been in their lives—that’s where we get our fulfillment,” Coleman said. “We’d be doing it regardless, but now to be able to do it to as many people as possible, that’s the coolest part about it.”

The Power of Music Education

The group also reflected on how their musical journey began, crediting their high school music teachers and emphasizing the importance of music education. Coleman shared, “If we didn’t have band in high school, I don’t know how long I would’ve gone. This is how much I loved it… being able to make music every day in school. That was the best part about it to me. Not everybody’s a football player.”

CMA Fest 2025: A Star-Studded Celebration

Known as “The Music Event of Summer,” CMA Fest Presented by SoFi brought together over 30 of country music’s biggest acts, including Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Jason Aldean, Ashley McBryde, Keith Urban, Megan Moroney, Rascal Flatts, and many more.

The three-hour broadcast showcased unforgettable collaborations from the 2025 festival: Brooks & Dunn with Lainey Wilson and Marcus King, Dierks Bentley with Zach Top, Cody Johnson with Carín León, Jason Aldean with Travis Tritt, Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins, and Bailey Zimmerman with BigXthaPlug, among others.

Filmed at Nissan Stadium during the four-day festival from June 5–8, CMA Fest 2025 marked the 19th consecutive year the Country Music Association has produced a summer concert TV special. Produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Alan Carter, it also marked the 22nd consecutive year CMA has delivered this beloved televised tradition.