Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins Bring the House Down at CMA Fest With ‘Hillbilly Bone’
Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins proved at CMA Fest that some hits never lose their spark. The longtime friends reunited on stage to perform their fan-favorite Hillbilly Bone, sounding just as lively and playful as they did when the song first dropped over 15 years ago.
Shelton welcomed Adkins amid his performance of Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, and together they had the crowd roaring as they launched into Hillbilly Bone, a comedic anthem about embracing your inner hillbilly.
“We all got a hillbilly bone down deep inside / No matter where you from, you just can’t hide it…” the duo sang, with the audience joining in for every “yee-haw!” The energy was electric, the laughter contagious, and the nostalgia palpable.
Before stepping onstage at Nissan Stadium, Shelton shared his excitement about performing alongside his longtime friend.
“He is a brother to me,” Shelton said. “So anytime I get him on stage with me, I just want to keep him out there. Tonight’s going to be special.”
The pair’s friendship stretches back decades, and they recently toured together on Shelton’s Friends and Heroes Tour, further strengthening their onstage chemistry.
In addition to the iconic duet, Shelton performed his latest single, Stay Country or Die Tryin’, from his new album For Recreational Use Only, keeping fans entertained throughout the show.
The three-hour CMA Fest special was packed with unforgettable performances from country’s biggest names, including Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman, among others.
But it was the Shelton-Adkins reunion — full of humor, heart, and plenty of “yee-haws” — that reminded everyone why CMA Fest is the ultimate celebration of country music and its enduring friendships.