Inside The Fort by Fort Nash: The Country Culture Clubhouse That Took Over CMA Fest Week

During CMA Fest week, Nashville can feel like it is moving in every direction at once. Between the packed stages, downtown crowds and back-to-back events, there is rarely a quiet place to land.

This year, Fort Nash created one.

From June 3-7, The Fort by Fort Nash served as a five-day, invite-only clubhouse built around country music, food, fashion, faith, comedy, interviews and creator-led moments. The idea was simple: bring artists, creators and industry friends into one space during one of the busiest weeks in Nashville and let the moments happen naturally.

The Fort opened on June 3 with a kickoff party that brought together artists, athletes, comedians and creators for a night that felt more like a house party than a traditional industry event. Ashley Cooke, Dasha and comedian Amber Autry arrived in a vintage Cadillac, setting the tone early before Logan Crosby hosted a lineup that included performances from Cooke, Dasha, Mason Ramsey, VAVO and Gareth. Throughout the night, guests moved between the portrait studio, Yeehaw Caviar, a wellness bar, catering by Craig’s and a mechanical bull courtesy of Orinda, while surprise moments kept unfolding across the space. Waka Flocka Flame, Priscilla Block and others made appearances, Josh Ross joined guests for a shot ski moment set to his music, Priscilla Block challenged Dasha to a beer funnel from the second-floor balcony, and Ashley Cooke serenaded Cowboy Cannoli’s Caviar Cowboy onstage with “baby blues.” By the end of the night, Dasha had taken a turn on the mechanical bull, VAVO had jumped in for a 30-minute DJ set, Orinda had kept the music going with Eric Van Houten, David J, Nic D and Connor Price, and SEV closed things out with a high-energy DJ set.

Photo by Ray Aley

Photo by Ray Aley

Photo by Mandy Smith

Photo by Mandy Smith

Photos by Ray Aley and Mandy Smith

After the opening party, The Fort shifted into a content hub for the rest of the week. Artists and creators came through to film interviews, cooking segments, games and social-first formats across the venue.

The Pantry brought artists into the kitchen with The Grill Dads for casual cooking conversations. Country Combine, hosted by The Bread Basket, turned tailgate-style challenges into a competition format with artists and creators. Pour Decisions, hosted by comedian Danae Hays, gave guests the choice between answering bold questions or taking a mystery drink. The Wall Sit, hosted by Samantha Cottrell, added a physical challenge to the interview format.

One of the week’s standout personalities was Ella Fauver, who hosted Morning Bites. After appearing on red carpet at the ACMs this year, Ella brought her own interview style to The Fort with breakfast conversations that felt funny, loose and unexpectedly sweet.

The Fort also hosted a handful of private events and partner moments throughout the week, including an event with Lovesac that gave guests a more comfortable place to reset during CMA Fest. Artists including Shantaia, Kameron Marlowe, Ashley Cooke and others came through across Friday and Saturday for performances, filming, and smaller community moments.

The week wrapped Sunday, June 7, with Faith at The Fort. After several days of parties, filming and CMA Fest activity, the final event offered a more reflective close to the week.

Faith at The Fort featured worship performances from Rebecca Brunner, Madison Watkins, Ben Fuller, Jordan Rowe, and more, along with prayer led by Cam J and a sermon from Cross Point Church college pastor Nate Farley.

Across five days, The Fort became part clubhouse, part content studio and part gathering place. It gave artists, creators and friends of Fort Nash a place to stop in, film, perform, eat, worship and spend time together during one of the busiest weeks of the year.

In a week built around big stages and packed streets, The Fort offered something a little different: a home base for country culture in the middle of CMA Fest.