Kip Moore Is ‘Still Hurting’ From Celebrating No. 1 Song as He Gears Up to Play CMA Music Festival

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, Kip Moore was mingling with fans at the CMA Music Festival, some familiar with him and some not. Well this year, Moore can’t walk into a room without fans going crazy.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Moore topped the charts for two straight weeks with his latest single ‘Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck,’ and tonight (Saturday, June 9), the singer will take the stage at LP Field in Nashville as part of the music festival’s Nightly Concert series.

Playing for packed rooms and arenas is nothing new for Moore, as he just came off a tour with David Nail and Billy Currington, and earlier in the week (Wednesday, June 6), he performed a snippet of ‘Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck’ at the 2012 CMT Music Awards. But playing LP Field has him a bit nervous.

“I’m playing two songs acoustic,” Moore tells. “I’ve never been in front of that many people until I played the CMT Awards, but that went over real well.”

CMA Music Festival is winding down this weekend with the final events, signings and concerts ending on Sunday (June 10). Like the fans, Moore also enjoys the week-long festival that brings all of his buddies into one zip code. “I really like this week because I get to kind of see friends who I came up through the ranks with,” says Moore. “I was able to stop and talk with Jake [Owen] for a while [at the awards]. We kind of came to town at the same time. Same thing with [Thompson Square's] Keifer and Luke [Bryan]. We’ve all been through the same trenches; they’re further along in their trench than I am.”

But Moore is well on his way to being right along side of them, especially after his multi-week No. 1 hit under his belt. Which makes us wonder… has he had the chance to celebrate the accomplishment yet?

“I’ve been in such a whirlwind with touring and being gone, that I just celebrated two nights ago for the first time,” he says with a sheepish grin. “I woke up with one shoe and mustard on my shirt. I have no idea where the mustard came from … I’m still trying to figure that out [laughs]! I’m guessing it was a hot dog stand somewhere, and I must have stopped at it. I know I was at [Nashville bar] Losers, and that’s never good. I remember thinking it was like 11:30. Next thing I know they were cutting the lights on in the place and kicking everybody out. I was thinking, ‘I’m that guy … I’m that guy tonight!’ [laughs] I think I’m still hurting from that.”

Earlier Saturday, Moore played a short set at the Riverfront Stage in Nashville as part of CMA Music Festival, and tonight, look for him to take the stage at LP Field around 9 PM local time.