Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan wow fans with a surprise duet at CMA Fest 2025, blending country and folk in a viral moment no one saw coming!
A little bit of country, a little bit of folk, and a whole lot of magic. Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan shocked fans with a surprise duet at CMA Fest 2025 — and the crowd (and internet!) went absolutely wild.
During her set at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, Kelsea brought out Noah for their emotional new collab, “Cowboys Cry Too“, and fans were screaming, crying, and losing their minds over the unexpected pairing.
The two first met at the 2024 Grammy Awards, where Noah complimented Kelsea’s songwriting on her hit “Peter Pan.” That moment sparked a friendship — and now, musical gold.
Kelsea originally wrote the chorus of “Cowboys Cry Too” on her back porch in November 2023 but felt the song needed a male voice. Enter Noah, whose indie-folk vibes and raw emotional edge brought just the right energy. Their voices? Total harmony heaven.
Even after storm delays cut her set short, Kelsea made sure this moment stayed in — and fans were so grateful. Noah, wearing a “Kountry Club” tee, joined her onstage and gave the crowd something unforgettable.
Posting a clip on TikTok, Kelsea wrote: “Making music with your friends and then singing it in a stadium together.” Cue the happy tears!
Fans filled the comments: “The harmonies in this song scratch my brain in the best way!” “You and Noah need to drop a whole album together!!”
And honestly? They’re not wrong.
This collab is more than just a cool duet — it’s a cross-genre, cross-generational moment. Kelsea brings the country credibility with her five Grammy noms and Grand Ole Opry status, while Noah’s indie-folk storytelling and Gen Z fanbase pull in a whole new crowd.
Oh — and Noah didn’t leave right after. He stuck around to perform his viral hit “Stick Season,” joking, “If you haven’t heard this song, you’ve probably never been inside a Target.” Iconic.
