Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney joined their voices to perform their new duet during the 2021 ACM Awards broadcast on Sunday night (April 18). The young country star and the veteran superstar sounded perfectly in tune singing "Half of My Hometown."

The pair sat on stools opposite each other and offered a moving performance from the Opry Stage. Though the performance was subdued, it was perfect for the moment. It's a rare duet in which Chesney takes the harmonies, but he and Ballerini blended perfectly.

Chesney also performed earlier in the evening during an In Memoriam segment.

Ballerini and Chesney pair released their new collaboration in early April. "Half of My Hometown" is the fourth single from Ballerini's Kelsea album, and she co-wrote the track with Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally and Jimmy Robbins.

The lyrics to "Half of My Hometown" find Ballerini and Chesney longing for the places where they grew up, but also reflecting on those who are caught in the past. Both artists hail from Knoxville, Tenn.

"Half of my hometown's still hangin' around / Still talkin' about that one touchdown / They're still wearin' red and black / Go Bobcats, while the other half / Of my hometown, they all got out / Some went north, some went south / Still lookin' for a feelin' half of us ain't found / So stay or leave / Part of me will always be / Half of my hometown," they sing in the chorus.

Ballerini went into the awards ceremony on Sunday as a nominee in the category of Female Artist of the Year. The 2021 ACM Awards aired live on CBS and stream live on Paramount+. Sign up for the streaming service here.

2021 ACM Awards Show Photos:

The 2021 ACM Awards took place in Nashville on Sunday night (April 18). Luke Bryan was crowned Entertainer of the Year, while Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris were named Male and Female Artist of the Year, respectively.

The three-hour show was also packed with performances from Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Little Big Town and many more. Artists were at the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe, as well as on Lower Broadway, at the Station Inn and along the Nashville riverfront.

Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton co-hosted the show.
The best dressed on the 2021 ACM Awards red carpet brought color — lots of color — for an awards show that promises to be a celebration. Photos show stars like Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Young, Kane Brown and more wearing the hottest and often most expensive designer outfits, or suits they designed themselves, in the case of Jimmie Allen.

Check out a full gallery of country music's hottest stars on the ACM Awards red carpet. Who do you think is best dressed and worst dressed?

The 2021 ACM Awards took place at the Bluebird Cafe, Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sunday (April 18).


 

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