Blake Shelton may have been the headliner, but it was the unexpected appearance of his longtime friend and fellow country legend Trace Adkins that turned the night into a truly unforgettable experience. The surprise moment happened during Shelton’s high-energy set at CMA Fest in Nashville, where thousands packed the stadium to celebrate the best of country music.
Midway through Shelton’s set, the crowd buzzed with anticipation as he paused and offered a cryptic intro. Then — to thunderous cheers — Trace Adkins walked on stage. Without missing a beat, the two country giants launched into Adkins’ 2005 smash hit “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.”
@shanegutormson BADONKADONK 🤣🤣🤣 @Trace Adkins came out with @Blake Shelton at CMA Fest!!! #blakeshelton #traceadkins #honkytonkbadonadonk #countrymusic #cmafest
♬ original sound – Shane Gutormson
The performance was pure country gold. Fans danced and laughed as Shelton and Adkins tore through the song’s famously cheeky lyrics:
“Now honey, you can’t blame her
For what her mama gave her…”
When they hit the chorus —
“With that honky tonk badonkadonkKeepin’ perfect rhythm
Make ya wanna swing along…”
— the entire stadium was on its feet, swaying and singing at the top of their lungs. It was a rowdy, joyful, nostalgia-packed moment that lit up CMA Fest with energy and charm.
Behind the scenes, Shelton and Adkins’ bond runs even deeper. Adkins later shared a series of backstage photos on Instagram, capturing the laughter and camaraderie between the two.
In a recent interview, Adkins spoke candidly about their friendship:
“With Blake, you know, to have a close friend that’s in the same business that you’re in… we can talk about that with each other.”
But true to form, he added with a laugh:
“Blake is… he shares a little too much. A lot. Horrible oversharer. He shares too much to everybody.”
Fans loved the lighthearted jab — a reminder of the genuine, down-to-earth connection between two of country music’s most beloved figures.
For many fans, Shelton and Adkins’ surprise duet was the standout highlight of CMA Fest 2025. It wasn’t just a performance — it was a celebration of friendship, fun, and the kind of spontaneous magic that keeps country music alive.
From the music to the memories, it was a night that Nashville won’t soon forget.
