Jimmie Allen performed live from New York City’s iconic Times Square stage on Thursday (Dec. 31).
The country superstar impressed with performances of his second No. 1 single “Make Me Want To” and “Freedom Was A Highway.”
Donned in a flashy outfit that included a bedazzled royal blue jacket and leopard print pants, completing the look with a top hat.
“Each stud represents a person in my life and career that helped me get where I am today,” Allen explained of his flashy outfit that he dedicated to his late father and grandmother.
Thanks to @JimmieAllen, I'm feeling ready as ever to ring in a New Year! #RockinEve pic.twitter.com/LusO41ijcX
— New Year’s Rockin’ Eve (@RockinEve) January 1, 2021
During his performance he shouted out his kids and wife and also honored his late idol Charley Pride during the set saying, “Rest in peace Charley Pride.”
Following his performance, Allen paid tribute to his late musical idol, Charley Pride saying “he meant everything to me, before I got my record deal and everything I spent my last hundred bucks to go see Charley Pride before the CMAs and two years later I got to meet him and we built a friendship and he taught me so much. I’m just hoping to continue his legacy, myself, Mickey Guyton, Darius Rucker, Kane Brown and so many others. We were just honored to get to know him, and if it wasn’t for him I would not be here, so we’re all just super thankful and we’re definitely going to miss him. So our prayers are with his friends and family.”
“Freedom Was A Highway” appears on Allen’s latest album, Bettie James, and originally features Brad Paisley while “Make Me Want To” appears on his debut album, Mercury Lane.
The 49th annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve also featured performances from Jennifer Lopez, Billy Porter, Cyndi Lauper, Miley Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Saweetie, 24KGoldn feat. Iann Dior, Ella Mai, Machine Gun Kelly, En Vogue, Maluma, Lewis Capaldi, Brandy, Noah Cyrus, Jimmie Allen, JP Saxe, Julia Michaels and more.
Co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest alongside Lucy Hale, Ciara and Billy Porter, The live New Year’s Eve special aired live from New York City and Los Angeles on Thursday, December 31 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET) on ABC. Following a break for the local news broadcast, the special returned from 11:30 p.m.-2:00 a.m. EST for the iconic ball drop.
