Days after being crowned New Male Artist Of The Year, Jimmie Allen took to the 56th Academy Of Country Music Awards stage to perform his latest single “Freedom Was A Highway.”
Allen performed the popular track on Sunday, April 18, live from the Bluebird Cafe, an iconic Nashville venue that the country singer admits is a place he loves to play. He was surprised by Brad Paisley
“The Bluebird [Cafe] is a place that I love to play before ‘Best Shot’ went No. 1 and ‘Make Me Want To,’ I played both those songs here because Bluebird is where you just play acoustic, people listen and you can really find out if people like the song or not. So, it feels great to be here and I’ll be playing my new single here tonight.”
This isn't @JimmieAllen's first rodeo! The ACM New Male Artist Of The Year winner returned to @BluebirdCafeTN stage to perform his single "Freedom Was A Highway," this time with @BradPaisley! 🙌 Catch the rest of the #ACMawards on @CBS or @paramountplus NOW! pic.twitter.com/7k51h8RniV
— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) April 19, 2021
Co-written by Allen alongside Ash Bowers and Matt Rogers, “Freedom Way A Highway” features Brad Paisley and appears on Allen’s latest duets project, Bettie James.
Ahead of the show, Allen was crowned New Male Artist Of The Year. The singer was left nearly speechless after country superstar and ACM Awards co-host Keith Urban surprised him with the news that he won. The moment was captured on video for all to see, which you can watch HERE.
The 56th ACM Awards also featured performances from Brothers Osborne, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Alan Jackson, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, Ashley McBryde, Keith Urban, Gabby Barrett, Little Big Town and more.
Additionally, the show included star-studded collaborations by Dierks Bentley feat. The War And Treaty, Miranda Lambert with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall, Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, Chris Young feat. Kane Brown, Carly Pearce and Lee Brice, as well as Carrie Underwood & CeCe Winans. The show opener featured the live debut of Elle King and Miranda Lambert’s duet, “Drunk (And I Don’t Want To Go Home).”
Co-hosted by Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton, the 2021 ACM Awards took place in Music City for the second consecutive year. The three-hour awards show took place at three iconic Nashville venues, including Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. The awards show aired on Sunday, April 18 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET) on CBS Television Network and were also streamed live on CBS All Access.
