CMA Fest 2025 had its fair share of big moments, but none touched hearts quite like Scotty McCreery’s emotional acoustic performance of “Five More Minutes.” In a stadium packed with over 70,000 country music fans, McCreery stood alone on the b-stage at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium — just him, his guitar, and the song that changed his life.
Wearing a simple royal blue shirt and jeans, Scotty let the music do the talking. There were no flashy lights or loud production — just the raw power of his signature baritone and the lyrics that have moved fans for years. As he strummed softly, his voice echoed across the stadium, and you could feel the emotion in the air. The crowd swayed, many wiping away tears, as they sang along to every word of the beloved ballad.
A Song That’s More Than Just a Hit
“Five More Minutes” isn’t just another No. 1 single — it’s a piece of Scotty’s heart. Co-written with Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell, the song was inspired by memories of Scotty’s late grandfather. First released in 2018 on his Seasons Change album, it marked his first chart-topping hit and remains a fan favorite to this day.
Speaking before the show, McCreery shared how meaningful this stripped-down moment would be. “I get to play it, just me and my guitar. You usually do that at a writer’s round for 200 people, not 70,000. That’ll be cool,” he said with a smile.
CMA Fest 2025: A Star-Studded Celebration of Country Music
This year’s CMA Fest — proudly presented by SoFi — lived up to its name as “The Music Event of Summer.” Across four days, the festival brought together country music’s biggest stars, from Luke Bryan and Keith Urban to Kelsea Ballerini, Jason Aldean, Cody Johnson, Rascal Flatts, and so many more. Fans were treated to unforgettable duets, including Brooks & Dunn with Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley with Zach Top, and Blake Shelton teaming up with Trace Adkins for a fiery “Hillbilly Bone.”
A Night — and a Song — Fans Will Never Forget
Scotty McCreery’s performance stood out not because of big production or flashy effects — but because it was real. Honest. Pure. “Five More Minutes” reminded everyone why they fell in love with country music in the first place: stories that hit home, sung from the heart.
If you missed it, be sure to catch the powerful moment in the CMA Fest special on ABC — and let Scotty remind you how just one song can bring a stadium of thousands to tears.
