“He’s a Brother to Me”: Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins Light Up CMA Fest Stage with Epic Duet

Nashville, TN — CMA Fest 2025 turned up the heat when Blake Shelton and longtime friend Trace Adkins hit the stage together for the first time in over 15 years to perform their fan-favorite anthem “Hillbilly Bone.”

The surprise collaboration had Nissan Stadium shaking with excitement as the country icons belted out their rowdy hit — and sounded just as powerful and in sync as they did back in 2009 when the song first took country radio by storm.

“He is a brother to me,” Shelton shared backstage before the show. “Anytime I get him on stage with me, I just want to keep him out there.”

🎤 A Surprise That Rocked the Stadium

Shelton was midway through his set when he welcomed Adkins to the stage to kick things off with the crowd-pleasing classic “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” But the real fireworks came when the duo launched into “Hillbilly Bone,” a song that celebrates southern roots and unapologetic pride in small-town living.

“We all got a hillbilly bone down deep inside…” they sang together, with over 60,000 fans chanting the lyrics in unison. It was a moment that brought generations of country music lovers together in a shared wave of nostalgia, joy, and pride.

💥 A Special Night for Shelton and Country Fans Alike

Before stepping on stage, Shelton revealed just how much the performance meant to him:

“I’m happy to be here and I’ve got new music I haven’t performed yet, but my secret weapon tonight is Trace Adkins,” he said.
“It’s been 20 years since ‘Honky Tonk Badonkadonk’ became a hit, and now he’s back out here with me. It’s a special night.”

Shelton and Adkins, who also toured together during Shelton’s Friends and Heroes Tour, share a deep personal bond and undeniable on-stage chemistry that electrified the CMA Fest crowd.

 

🔥 Shelton Premieres New Music from Upcoming Album

In addition to the unforgettable duet, Shelton also performed his new single “Stay Country or Die Tryin’,” taken from his upcoming album For Recreational Use Only. The track delivers a bold message about staying true to country roots in a rapidly changing world — a theme that resonated strongly with the night’s performance lineup.

🎶 A Star-Studded CMA Fest Full of Historic Moments

This year’s three-hour CMA Fest special, co-hosted by Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde, aired Thursday, June 26 on ABC and is now streaming on Hulu. Alongside Shelton and Adkins, the broadcast featured performances from some of the biggest names in country and southern music, including:

Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Rascal Flatts, Travis Tritt, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, and many more.

But it was Shelton and Adkins’ performance that many are calling the highlight of the night — a powerful reminder of why country music is best when it’s real, raw, and rooted in friendship.