The Heartland Network on the Front Line of Country!

Exclusive CMA Fest presented by SoFi Coverage Premieres July 11, Featuring Three Weeks of All-Access “Heartland Backstage” Episodes and a Powerful “High Dollar Hill” Special with Keith Stegall

Host Keith Stegall chats with country icons Jamie O’Neal and Clay Walker on the Close Up Stage for a special CMA Fest episode of High Dollar Hill.

CMA Fest presented by SoFi brought the heat — and The Heartland Network was on the front line to capture every unforgettable moment. As an official partner of CMA Fest presented by SoFi, Heartland — a flagship property of Get After It Media (GAIM) — returned to Nashville to celebrate the biggest event in country music, delivering exclusive festival coverage to more than 86 million homes nationwide.

At the center of the action was beloved country music broadcaster Nan Kelley, who hosted all-new episodes of “Heartland Backstage” directly from the network’s activation inside Fan Fair X. With her signature warmth and depth of knowledge, Kelley guided viewers through personal, revealing conversations with a multigenerational lineup of artists including Billy Dean, Pam Tillis, Mason Ramsey, Chuck Wicks, Jamie O’Neal, and Morgan Evans

FranK Ray stops by to chat with Nan Kelley on Heartland Backstage.

Beginning Friday, July 11 at 8pm ET/PT, Heartland premieres three weeks of original “Heartland Backstage” content, followed by a special CMA Fest edition of “High Dollar Hill with Keith Stegall,” airing Saturday, July 26 at 8pm ET/PT.

Heartland correspondents Jess Lauren and Kirstie Kraus expanded the network’s reach across downtown Nashville, capturing on-the-ground interviews with even more artists including Edwin McCain, Parmalee, Blanco Brown, Elizabeth Nichols, and Alexandra Kay — giving viewers at home a full-spectrum experience of country music’s biggest event.

Heartland’s digital creator team, Ranger Media Collective, was also in the field collecting “man on the street” content, fan interactions, and surprise artist moments that brought the true energy of CMA Fest to life.

To close out its CMA Fest coverage, Heartland will air a special episode of “High Dollar Hill with Keith Stegall,” filmed live on the CMA Close Up Stage. The GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM Award-winning songwriter and producer sits down with country icons Clay Walker and Jamie O’Neal for a candid, story-rich conversation fans won’t want to miss.

“CMA Fest is more than an event — it’s a homecoming,” said Nan Kelley. “Being there on the front line with Heartland gave us the opportunity to capture something truly special and deliver it to the fans who live and breathe country music every day.”

All episodes air on The Heartland Network and stream live via the It’s Real Good TV app and at watchheartlandtv.com. For local listings and additional broadcast info, visit the website.