The newest member of the Country Music Hall of Fame performed “American Kids” and “When the Sun Goes Down.”

Kenny Chesney performs onstage during the 59th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kenny Chesney performs onstage during the 59th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.Jason Kempin/Getty Images

With 20 studio albums under his belt, country superstar Kenny Chesney had plenty of songs to choose from for his performance at the 2025 CMA Awards — so many, in fact, that he couldn’t pick just one.

Kenny Chesney Honors Late Legend Brett James On CMA Awards Stage | iHeartCountry Radio

Hopping on stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Chesney was introduced by host Lainey Wilson, who highlighted him as a “four time CMA Entertainer of the Year” before ceding the stage. Dressed in a simple straw hat and plain long-sleeved tee, Chesney pulled out his classic country track “American Kids,” strumming along with his band. By the time he reached the chorus, Chesney had the whole arena singing along about “growin’ up in little pink houses” and “makin’ out on living room couches.”

@visitmusiccityThe incomparable, @Kenny Chesney, just delivered a#CMAawardsperformance that we’ll all be talking about tomorrow! This iconic star is shining bright in Nashville tonight! 🌟#Nashville#MusicCity#fyp#explorepage♬ original sound – Nashville, TN

 

Then Chesney headed to the arena’s B-stage for a performance of his Uncle Kracker duet “When the Sun Goes Down,” greeting his fans in the crowd and grooving to the song’s sultry lyrics. But before he closed out his performance, Chesney gestured to a graphic behind him paying tribute to Grammy-winning country songwriter Brett James (“When the Sun Goes Down” writer) who died in a private plane crash in September. “Thank you so much, Brett James, we love you,” Chesney shouted to conclude his number.

While Chesney wasn’t nominated as a soloist at the 2025 CMA Awards, he did feature on Megan Moroney’s “You Had to Be There,” which earned a nod for musical event of the year at the ceremony.

 

Along with serving as the evening’s host, Wilson also snatched up six nominations at the awards, which tied him for the most nods of any artist in 2025, alongside fellow singers Ella Langley and Megan Moroney. Throughout the evening, stars including Luke Combs, Shaboozey, Brandi Carlile, Kelsea Ballerini and more took to the stage for their own performances.