Of all of the performances lined up for the 2024 CMA Awards, the collaboration between Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll was certainly one of the most anticipated moments, and the artists lived up to the hype when they took to the stage. The best-selling duo joined the Antioch, Tenn. native in singing their new rendition of their early hit “Believe,” which appears on their just-released collaboration project, Reboot II.

The original version was released on 2005’s Hillbilly Deluxe record and earned Brooks & Dunn a win for CMA Single and Music Video of the Year in 2006. The newest rendition captures that same powerful storytelling with the addition of Jelly Roll’s rugged and emotive vocals.

The performance opened with Kix Brooks playing a grand piano and Jelly Roll with a mic in his hand as he began delivering the story that follows the journey of someone who befriends his neighbor, an old man named “Old Man Wrigley.”

“Old man Wrigley lived in that white house/ Down the street where I grew up/ Mama used to send me over with things/ We struck a friendship up/ I spent a few long summers/ Out on his old porch swing,” Jelly Roll sang.

Once the chorus struck, the live band of violinists began playing their instruments, creating a stunning melody to back the powerful narrative. Ronnie Dunn then made his way onto the stage, earning a round of applause from the audience, and continued out the faith-filled storyline with Jelly Roll.   

“Said, I raise my hands/ Bow my head/I’m findin’ more and more truth/ In the words written in red/ They tell me that there’s more to life/ Then just what I can see…,” they deliver on the chorus.

The tune is sung from the young neighbor’s perspective, as he recalls the topics of their conversations and the wisdom he used to pick up from Wrigley. In the midst of the song, he learns that his neighbor who was always so willing to share his truth, had passed away. Hearing this, the young neighbor recalls one of their late-night conversations and starts to “believe” that there really is more to life than just what he can see. The end of the soulful performance resulted in a standing ovation from the packed out venue. 

Jelly Roll is just one of the many stars that appear on the new album. This collections takes fans back in time and offers genre-bending versions of  some of the duo’s biggest songs such as “Play Something Country,” “Neon Moon,” “Brand New Man,” “Hillbilly Deluxe,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” the beloved “Only In America,” as well as many others. 

Out November 15 via Sony Music Nashville, the project serves as the sequel to 2019’s REBOOT. It follows a similar format but features a slew of new artists, including Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Riley Green, Megan Moroney, HARDY, ERNEST, Corey Kent, and more. 

The artists were granted complete creative freedom, with each choosing their own song to lead in the 18-track collection. The only guideline given was to completely reimagine the song to match their unique taste and style and it’s safe to say they did Brooks & Dunn proud. 

This epic performance between the duo and Jelly Roll took place on Wednesday, Nov. 20 during “Country Music’s Biggest Night.” The event was co-hosted by Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson, and aired live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville at 8/7c on ABC.

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