Introduction

It was a night to remember at the 2025 ACM Awards on Thursday, May 8, as country legends Brooks & Dunn joined forces with Cody Johnson for a truly electrifying performance that left the audience buzzing.

Cody Johnson took the spotlight first, delivering a stripped-down acoustic version of his heartfelt ballad, “The Fall.” His emotional delivery set the tone for what would become one of the evening’s most talked-about moments.

Moments later, the energy in the room surged as Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn walked onto the stage. Together with Johnson, they launched into a fiery performance of “Red Dirt Road,” their classic 2003 hit that continues to resonate with fans across generations. The crowd, filled with artists and industry insiders, responded with overwhelming enthusiasm.

This isn’t the first time the two acts have collaborated. Back in 2019, Brooks & Dunn invited Johnson to re-record “Red Dirt Road” for their Reboot album — a collection that paired the iconic duo with a new wave of country artists to breathe fresh life into their greatest hits. Their chemistry, both in the studio and onstage, is undeniable.

The trio had previously delivered a memorable performance of “Red Dirt Road” during an episode of CMT Crossroads, and their onstage synergy has only grown stronger over time.

In 2023, Johnson once again teamed up with Brooks & Dunn for his Leather album, recording “Long Live Country Music,” a song that pays tribute to the legends and legacy of the genre. They’ve performed that track live together multiple times, each rendition a heartfelt nod to country music’s roots.

Both Brooks & Dunn and Cody Johnson were nominated for awards during this year’s ACM ceremony. Brooks & Dunn took home the trophy for Duo of the Year, while Johnson was recognized in several major categories, including the highly coveted Entertainer of the Year.

Their 2025 ACM Awards collaboration was more than just a performance — it was a celebration of tradition, talent, and the timeless spirit of country music.

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Alan Jackson, 66, though battling Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease — a degenerative nerve condition that has made it difficult for him to walk — left the entire country music world stunned when he made a surprise appearance on stage during the Luke Combs World Tour 2025. As the lights flared across the arena, fans gasped as a wheelchair was quietly rolled out, carrying the living legend of country music. Though his health had clearly declined and his face bore the marks of time, his eyes still sparkled, his smile was still gentle, and his voice — the voice that had held millions of hearts — remained strong and unchanged. When the first chords of “Remember When” began, the stadium fell into complete silence before erupting into waves of applause and tears. Beside him, Luke Combs bowed his head with respect, joining in the song that has long been an anthem of love, memory, and the passage of time. Down in the front row, his wife Denise Jackson sat quietly, her hands trembling as she clapped along to the rhythm. When Alan lifted his voice into the haunting refrain, “Remember when thirty seemed so old…”, she could no longer hold back her tears. Denise, who has stood by his side for more than four decades, through career highs, personal struggles, and now illness, looked on with pride and heartbreak in equal measure. Her tear-streaked face, shining in the glow of the stage, moved even the toughest fans to cry with her.