Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll’s ‘Believe’ Performance at the CMA Awards Resonates Deeply, Leading to Chart-Topping Success
In November 2024, the CMA Awards played host to a collaboration that would be remembered not just as a performance, but as a spiritual moment. Brooks & Dunn, the legendary country duo, took the stage with Jelly Roll, a genre-blending artist whose presence has been reshaping the boundaries of modern country. Together, they performed “Believe,” and what unfolded left the room breathless. It wasn’t just music—it was a collective experience that brought the audience to tears and reignited a song’s legacy for a new generation.
Brooks & Dunn had long been fixtures in the country music world. Since their debut in the early 1990s, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn built a reputation on heartfelt storytelling, harmony-laden choruses, and an ability to speak directly to the soul of small-town America. Their catalogue is full of honky-tonk anthems and emotional ballads, but “Believe” has always stood out as one of their most profound works.
Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord in Nashville, took a very different path to the CMA stage. Emerging from the hip-hop scene before transitioning into country and rock-infused storytelling, he brings a gritty, lived-in authenticity to everything he touches. With his gravelly voice and unfiltered emotion, Jelly Roll represents the raw edge of country’s next wave, yet his respect for tradition runs deep. This duet was more than a meeting of voices—it was a meeting of eras, of pain and redemption.
Originally released in 2005 on Brooks & Dunn’s Hillbilly Deluxe album, “Believe” is a ballad that tells the story of an old man reflecting on the loss of his loved ones and the solace he finds in faith. The lyrics are filled with quiet wisdom and spiritual undertones, and the original recording quickly became one of the duo’s most beloved tracks. In 2006, it earned the CMA Award for Song of the Year, cementing its place as a modern classic.
When the song was revived in 2024 as a duet with Jelly Roll, it took on an even deeper emotional weight. The updated arrangement kept the original’s heartfelt essence but added orchestral backing and a richer texture. Jelly Roll’s opening verses were soft, deliberate, and filled with reverence. As Kix Brooks supported him with harmonies, the anticipation built for Ronnie Dunn’s signature vocal entry. When it came, it hit like a wave—smooth, powerful, and utterly heartbreaking.
By the time they reached the final chorus, the emotion was palpable. Jelly Roll visibly fought back tears, and many in the audience were openly weeping. It wasn’t just the lyrics or the performance—it was the spirit behind it. It felt real. Two generations of country artists, each carrying their own scars, singing about the one thing that binds us all: the hope that comes with belief.
In the aftermath, the performance exploded across social media. Clips of the moment spread like wildfire, amassing millions of views within days. Listeners called it one of the greatest duets in modern country music history. The sincerity of the performance transcended fandom, reaching not just country fans but anyone who’s ever wrestled with faith, loss, and the need for healing.
The success of the duet had immediate ripple effects. The new version of “Believe” shot to the top of the iTunes chart, not just in the country category but across all genres. It served as a reminder that deeply emotional songs, delivered with conviction, still resonate in a world often dominated by production gloss and commercial polish.
For Brooks & Dunn, the performance reaffirmed their status as foundational figures in country music. That night, they also took home the Vocal Duo of the Year award for the first time in nearly two decades. It was a victory not just for them, but for traditional storytelling in country music.
For Jelly Roll, the duet marked a defining moment. It validated his journey from the margins of Nashville into its very heart. He proved he didn’t just belong—he brought something new, and deeply needed. His emotional transparency and humble gratitude added to the magic of the performance, making it feel less like a collaboration and more like a passing of the torch.
Though “Believe” has been performed by other artists in the past, this version has quickly become definitive for a new generation. It speaks not just to the enduring power of the song, but to the transformative impact of musical unity. When artists open their hearts like that—regardless of genre or background—the result is unforgettable.
Jelly Roll later spoke about the performance with deep emotion, calling it one of the greatest honors of his life. For him, this wasn’t just a stage moment—it was personal. It was about redemption, about faith, about being seen. And that sense of truth translated through every note he sang.
Years from now, people will still remember that night at the CMA Awards—not because it was flashy or groundbreaking in a technical sense, but because it touched something universal. It reminded everyone that music can still move us, unite us, and even heal us.
And in a world that often races ahead, sometimes the most unforgettable moments are the ones that slow us down—and ask us to simply believe.
