Jimmie Allen, Little Big Town and Monica teamed up for a hopeful performance of their collaborative track, “Pray,” during the 2022 CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11.
Live from Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, the trio of superstars performed the uplifting track for the first-time ever during the coveted awards ceremony. The performance also marked Monica’s first-ever appearance on the show.
Surrounded by stunning visuals, Allen kicked off the performance from behind a piano before Monica and Little Big Town joined him on stage to finish out the song, all donning white ensembles.
Allen opened up about the song prior to the show.
“The song ‘Prayer’ that I’m doing with Little Big Town and Monica, it kind of ties into all that, a lot of times in life you go through things in life and a lot of times prayer has been the main thing that’s pulled me through,” Allen shared ahead of his performance.
“The ability to grab control of their life. To no longer be a prisoner to other people’s opinions of who they should be. You know, if they find themselves struggling with something, they find themselves wanting something to pray for it,” Allen added. “You know, because a lot of times, prayer isn’t really about always getting the answer. A lot of time prayer is therapy. It’s you getting things off your chest and sometimes you get an answer and sometimes you don’t, but either way you’re talking about it. So, I hope people are open to talk about whatever they’re going through, not only the good stuff but also the bad stuff too and realize there’s help out there – whether it’s God, a friend, or a family member.”
“Pray” appears on Allen’s 2020 collaborative EP, Bettie James.
The 2022 CMT Music Awards also featured performances from Carly Pearce, Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Cody Johnson, and more.
Also taking the stage with never-before-seen collaborations were Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams, Jimmie Allen with Monica and Little Big Town, Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas, Thomas Rhett and Riley Green, Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson. The Judds also joined forces for their first televised performance in over two decades.
Presenters for Country Music’s Biggest Party included Gabby Barrett, Faith Hill, Isabel May, Jimmie Allen, Rob Corddry, Jordan Davis, Billy F. Gibbons, Gayle King, Taylor Lautner, Dustin Lynch, Martina McBride, Joel McHale, Kacey Musgraves, Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France + Antoni Porowski, LeAnn Rimes, Dylan Scott, and Dennis Quaid.
The 2022 CMT Music Awards, broadcasted LIVE on Monday, (April 11) at (8:00-11:00 PM LIVE ET/delayed PT) for the first time on CBS.