NASHVILLE, TN (June 19, 2015) – Last week was noteworthy for Chris Carmack, star of ABC’s hit series “Nashville,” as he made his CMA Music Festival debut and performed at two major fundraisers: the inaugural “Concert for Love and Acceptance,” co-sponsored by Ty Herndon and GLAAD and Craig Wiseman’s “Stars for Second Harvest.” By week’s end, the positive reviews of Carmack’s live show amassed, solidifying the established actor as a standout musician.

Early reviews include:

• “[Carmack] is a wicked good guitar player” – VINCE GILL
• “30 Best Things We Saw At CMA Fest: Best Blue-Eyed Blues: Chris Carmack…Any notion that ‘Nashville’ co-star Chris Carmack was just another actor dabbling in music were obliterated…The highlight proved to be his heartfelt tribute to  B.B. King…with Carmack showing off some greasy guitar licks and a soulful yearning voice.” – ROLLING STONE
• “Carmack showed a musical command and conviction in his set that outstrips what he has been able to transmit through the TV show and its soundtracks. There’s a built-in prejudice against actors jumping into music, but he deserves to be taken seriously.” - BILLBOARD
• “[Two of the] Top 10 Moments at the 2015 CMA Music Festival: “Chris Carmack at Belk Park Stage” and “The Concert for Love and Acceptance” – “[Carmack] showed off his impressive vocal and guitar chops, ripping through his own originals, due out later this year on an EP, as well as a cover of the late B.B. King’s ‘Sweet Little Angel.’” – BOSTON GLOBE

On June 12, Carmack joined co-hosts Ty Herndon and Meghan McCain for the inaugural “Concert for Love and Acceptance” in support of LGBT acceptance in the community. Prior to his set, Carmack was surprised on stage when he received the first-ever “RALY” (“Rescue A Life Y’all”) award for his influential work portraying “Will Lexington,” an afflicted gay country artist, on “Nashville.”

The following day (6/13), Carmack made his CMA Music Festival debut drawing a vast crowd. His set included the “Will Lexington” hit, “What If I Was Willing,” and originals from Carmack’s forthcoming EP, PIECES YOU, including the title track, “Being Alone” and “Holding My Breath.” As a fan and student of Jazz & Blues, he also performed a tribute to the late B.B. King, the legendary singer’s “Sweet Little Angel.” Watch a clip of the captivating performance here. During his set, he played an electric guitar he handmade and his treasured 1956 Martin d-28 acoustic guitar.