Watch Bailey Zimmerman Take The Stage With Powerful Miley Cyrus Cover

By Kelly Fisher

June 11, 2026

Photo: Getty Images

Thousands of fans scream-sang along when Bailey Zimmerman covered “The Climb” during the Country Music Association’s CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee.

Zimmerman performed on the main stage at Nissan Stadium on the final night of the four-day festival. During his set, the country star delivered his rendition of the Miley Cyrus ballad that quickly became a fan-favorite moment in his set list on his first-ever headlining arena tour. Zimmerman released his version of “The Climb” on May 22. He said at the time, “I haven’t covered many songs in my career but over the last few months of playing this night after night and seeing all the excitement from everyone, not only at the shows but online as well, just made me want to get it out to y’all… thank you [Miley Cyrus] for giving us this absolute banger.”

Cyrus released “The Climb,” written by Jessi Alexander and John Shanks, in 2009, and performed it in Hannah Montana: The Movie. Cyrus scored her breakout role on the Disney show, which premiered in March 2006. She played a seemingly-typical teen who lived a secret double life as a famous pop star. Cyrus recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the beloved series.

Throughout Zimmerman’s CMA Fest set, he also performed some of his biggest hits, introduced surprise guest Brandon Lake, and more.

CMA Fest kicked off on Thursday (June 4) and ran through Sunday (June 7). Hundreds of artists performed on free outdoor daytime stages throughout the festival, in addition to nightly shows at the stadium. Other artists on the CMA Fest main stage this year included Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Deana Carter, Ella Langley, Gretchen Wilson, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, The Red Clay Strays, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, Shaboozey, Tim McGraw, Tucker Wetmore and Zach Top, and more. Riley Green and Lara Spencer will host the televised special, which will air on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Thursday, June 25. The show will be available to stream the following day on Hulu.

Bailey Zimmerman
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