Luke Bryan Spots Randy Travis in CMA Fest 2018 Crowd … Then Sings His Hits [WATCH]
Randy Travis has been onstage to perform only a few times since his 2013 stroke, but he's been sure to show his support to a number of artists by checking out their shows -- including the final night (June 10) of the 2018 CMA Music Festival. And when Luke Bryan spotted the country icon in the crowd during his set at Nissan Stadium, he decided to surprise Travis with a special medley.
Billboard reports that Bryan was in the middle of his performance, closing out the night, when he noticed that Travis was sitting in the front row. So, Bryan switched up his planned setlist and began singing Travis' hit "On the Other Hand."
“I’ve been wanting to sing to you for a long time, buddy," Bryan told Travis after he performed the song, which was Travis' first No. 1 hit. "That was unrehearsed; I didn't know you were going to be here, but I hope you enjoy it. I love you.”
Bryan wasn't done with Travis' songs, though. "We might just need to make it a Randy Travis hour. How much time do we have?” he joked before playing Travis' "Diggin' Up Bones."
Bryan was at CMA Fest on Sunday night to be presented with the first-ever Cracker Barrel Country Legend Award, during the night's performances at Ascend Amphitheater. As part of the festivities, Michael Ray performed Travis' "Forever and Ever, Amen," and a $5,000 donation to the CMA Foundation was made in his name.
Also onstage at Nissan Stadium during the final night of the four-day 2018 CMA Music Festival, Dierks Bentley collaborated with icon Dwight Yoakam and his Mountain High Tour tourmates Brothers Osborne. Florida Georgia Line, meanwhile, brought Bebe Rexha and the Backstreet Boys with them, to sing their hits "Meant to Be" and "God, Your Mama and Me," respectively.
In August, ABC will air a TV special featuring footage from the Nissan Stadium shows. Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini are returning to co-host the show for a second year.
See More From Day 4 of the 2018 CMA Music Festival