Tim McGraw headlined CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, June 6, performing for the country music festival that ran June 4–7 in downtown Nashville. The appearance marked a significant moment for McGraw, who had just released his first new music in more than a year days earlier.
Quick Facts
- Tim McGraw released two new songs on June 1, 2026: “Song For America” and “Pawn Shop Guitar”
- The CMA Fest performance took place on June 6 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville
- McGraw’s Pawn Shop Guitar Tour begins July 9 in Bethel, New York
- McGraw cited health recovery from back and knee issues as part of the reason for his time away from recording
On June 1, McGraw released “Song For America,” a patriotic track set to become a July 4 and Memorial Day staple, alongside “Pawn Shop Guitar,” which he said reflects the origins of his musical career. In a press release, McGraw explained that his extended absence from the studio had given him time to reflect and write. “It’s no secret that over the last few years I got sidelined with back and knee issues,” he said. “That time was challenging on so many levels, but one of the positive things that came out of it, aside from physically being back to 100 percent, was that it gave me time to reflect on my life and to write songs.”
The new releases come ahead of McGraw’s upcoming Pawn Shop Guitar Tour, which kicks off July 9 in Bethel, New York, and will span more than 35 dates across North America. The tour features opening support from The Chicks, Lady A, 49 Winchester, and Timothy Wayne, with McGraw’s final show scheduled for September 26 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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McGraw’s CMA Fest performance also comes as he prepares for a major honor: his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2026. Upon learning of his selection, McGraw expressed deep gratitude for his career in country music. “Everything good in my life has come from country music,” he said. “From my best memories as a kid, to meeting my wife, to this music community, to the friendships I’ve made along the way. To represent country music at the highest level is the greatest honor anyone could bestow on me.”
Sources
- American Songwriter — Tim McGraw’s release of two new songs on June 1, 2026, and details on his upcoming tour and Country Music Hall of Fame induction
- Nissan Stadium / CMA Fest — Confirmed Tim McGraw’s headline performance on June 6, 2026, at CMA Fest
- The Tennessean — CMA Fest 2026 lineup and performance schedule
