Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood gave the live debut of “If I Didn’t Love You” on Wednesday (Nov. 10) during the 55th Annual CMA Awards.
Live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the country superstars joined forces to perform their chart-topping collaboration for the first-time ever.
“We are performing ‘If I Didn’t Love You,’ which is a song we have currently on the radio. This is the first time we have performed it in front of people that aren’t like his band,” Underwood said. “So, it’s really exciting!”
“We did fake it about a hundred times for the video, but that’s about it, so far,” Aldean added. “So, to get to do it live for the first time at the CMAs… So excited.”
“If I Didn’t Love You” was co-written by Aldean’s bandmates Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy alongside John Morgan and Lydia Vaughan. It was produced by the superstar’s longtime collaborator Michael Knox.
The emotional track finds Aldean and Underwood crooning over an ex, admitting that moving on has not been easy. The track opens with Aldean’s signature vocals. Underwood joins him on the chorus as they admit to experiencing heartache following a breakup.
The multi-week chart-topper became Aldean’s 26th No.1 hit and serves as the lead single of his forthcoming 10th studio album, Macon, Georgia.
The 55th Annual CMA Awards also featured performances from Luke Combs, Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Jennifer Hudson, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band.
Additionally, the show included star-studded collaborations by Chris Young and Kane Brown, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, Mickey Guyton, Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, as well as Dierks Bentley, BRELAND and HARDY.
Country singers Trace Adkins, Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, Deana Carter, Russell Dickerson, Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson, Lady A, Scotty McCreery, Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood were on hand to present during the ceremony.
Lauren Daigle, Faith Fennidy, Freddie Freeman, Amy Grant, Dulé Hill, Elle King, Zachary Levi, Hayley Orrantia, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Susan Sarandon, Saycon Sengbloh and Kurt Warner also made special appearances throughout the broadcast.
Hosted by Luke Bryan, the 2021 CMA Awards broadcasted live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 8/7c on ABC.
