Jay DeMarcus Gears Up for CMA Fest Excitement
Country star set to ignite intimate festival stages and Spotify House showcases this June
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Cma Fest 2024: Back In Music City
The annual Country Music Association Festival returns to Nashville’s downtown streets and riverfront June 6–9, and multi-platinum bassist and producer Jay DeMarcus is among the lineup of insiders and performers ready to bring the energy. On May 31, DeMarcus posted a new photo of himself and two friends—wearing cowboy hats and wide smiles—tagged with #CMAFest, @CMA and #spotifyhouse, teasing fans about where to catch them across the four-day celebration.
In the Instagram post (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ7iwpLhamL/), Jay wrote: “These three guys can’t wait to be at #CMAFest again this year!! From stadium to the @cma Close Up Stage to #spotifyhouse… Where will we be seeing you?!” The image shows the trio in what looks like pre-festival warm-ups, a reminder that CMA Fest is as much about meet-and-greets, special showcases and surprise sets as it is about arena headliners.
Red Street On The Row Meets Cma Fest
Beyond his Rascal Flatts legacy, DeMarcus co-founded Red Street Records in 2019 to champion emerging acts. Earlier this summer, he celebrated the launch of his “Red Street On The Row” concert series in downtown Nashville, a block-party vibe he shared on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJxlkJDgwJ_/). That post thanked artists Adam Hambrick and Taylor Austin Dye for headlining the first show, and hinted at more showcases to come. Now, DeMarcus is weaving that boutique spirit into CMA Fest, promising fans a mix of established hits and rising talent.
Red Street’s presence at CMA Fest will include pop-up showcases along lower Broadway, spotlighting songwriters and vocalists handpicked by Jay himself. “It’s about giving new voices a platform,” DeMarcus told Taste of Country earlier this year. Driving that mission at CMA Fest aligns with his track record: between 2000 and 2021, he produced or co-wrote multiple chart singles and helped Rascal Flatts earn three CMA Vocal Group of the Year trophies.
Close Up Stage And Spotify House Appearances
DeMarcus and company will appear on CMA’s Close Up Stage at Ascend Amphitheater — known for its intimate, up-close performances broadcast on CMA’s digital channels. Spotlighting acoustic sets and stripped-down storytelling, the Close Up Stage is a fan favorite and an ideal fit for DeMarcus’s knack for blending musicianship with hospitality.
Late nights will shift to the Spotify House on Printer’s Alley, where curated DJs and acoustic pop-ups run past midnight. In 2023, Spotify House featured artists like Nate Smith and Lauren Alaina; this year, DeMarcus’s invitation suggests a surprise set or a backstage gathering of songwriters in his Red Street circle.
Fans tracking the schedule can download the official CMA Fest app to secure wristbands for both stages, and follow Jay’s @jaydemarcus handle for last-minute drop announcements. His early post style—shot-gun smiles, cowboy hats and arm-over-shoulders camaraderie—feels like a direct invite: come catch us anywhere and everywhere.
Jay DeMarcus, born April 26, 1971, rose to fame as founding bassist of Rascal Flatts, one of country music’s bestselling groups. A Tennessee native, he has parlayed those successes into production credits and a fast-growing label identity. While Rascal Flatts officially disbanded in 2021, DeMarcus continues to carry the genre’s banner behind the scenes—now with a front-row seat at CMA Fest.
As the countdown to June begins, Jay’s post reminds fans that CMA Fest isn’t just a concert series; it’s a weeklong convergence of artists, songwriters and industry professionals, all rubbing elbows under the Music City lights. Whether you’re front-row in Nissan Stadium or tucked into a late-night alley show, DeMarcus promises an insider’s view of what makes country music tick.
With summer around the corner, the three-man photo says it all: big hats, bigger smiles and a festival schedule packed with discovery. Nashville, are you ready?
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