Chris Stapleton and H.E.R. Go Toe to Toe With ‘Hold On’ at CMT Awards
Their 'Hold On' performance was one of the night's best!
Chris Stapleton and H.E.R. brought down the house at the 2021 CMT Music Awards on Wednesday night (June 9), delivering one of the night’s defining performances.
Teaming up for H.E.R.’s emotional epic, “Hold On,” the moment was one of pure musicianship that’s rarely seen on live awards shows, with two of music’s most iconic vocalists going toe-to-toe. Full of bluesy soul and an undeniable cool factor, H.E.R. began the tune on a stage bathed in violet light and smoke, crooning along with the notes coming from her metallic Fender Stratocaster. Stapleton stood by in awe, but not for long, adding his dynamic country growl to the mix, while the pair traded vocal acrobatics and stunning guitar licks. The collab included a mid-song six-string breakdown and an a-capella bridge, and by the end, the entire audience at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena was left in disbelief.
After news of the collaborative performance was revealed, Stapleton and his wife Morgane took to Instagram to praise the R&B guitaress. “H.E.R. is without a doubt one of the greatest singer/ songwriter/ guitar players on the planet earth. Fact,” wrote the country crooner, with Morgane replying “FACTS.” “Died & gone to heaven listening to these actual real life angels,” Morgane posted to her Instagram with another photo.
The performance is one of many Stapleton has scheduled for the remainder of the year. He’ll hit the road this fall for his rescheduled dates of the All-American Road Show Tour. The dates will begin in July and will continue through June 2022.
Other performances from country music’s only fan-voted awards show include Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown, Lauren Alaina and more.
The 2021 CMT Awards, hosted by Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini, will air live on Wednesday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network and TV Land. Voting is open for Video of the Year from now through Wednesday, June 9. Check out a full list of the nominees here.
Sounds Like Nashville will have all of your coverage for the 2021 CMT Music Awards right here.
