Jimmie Allen Performs Emotional New Single ‘Down Home’ at the ACM Awards

ACM co-host Jimmie Allen performed his brand new single, “Down Home,” at the 57th ACM Awards on Monday, March 7. The tune, which he teased in December 2020, finds Allen singing to his dad, who passed away in fall 2019.

For the performance, Allen appeared on the main stage at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium with his signature cowboy hat, an acoustic guitar and his full band. Allen is known for his often-energetic performances, but for this vulnerable song, he stood at the mic in the center of the stage as he belted out the emotional lyrics directed at his late father.

“I still hate that you’re gone, I wish you were here, but I hope that I’m making you proud because I know you’re up there looking down home,” he sings in the chorus.

Allen continued singing to his father for the remainder of the song, often closing his eyes to seemingly make it through the emotional lyrics. “Down Home” was written by Allen, Cameron Bedell, Rian Ball & Tate Howell, and it will be officially released on Tuesday, March 8. It will appear on Allen’s upcoming third album.

Co-hosting the night alongside Gabby Barrett with the great Dolly Parton, Allen came into the show as one of the biggest storylines in an event designed to break new ground. The rising star was last year’s New Male Artist of the Year, and this year was nominated for his first Male Vocalist of the Year award, having scored a Number One hit with “Freedom Was a Highway” (featuring Brad Paisley and turned heads as a contestant on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. The singer-songwriter also welcomed the birth of his second child last year, and took home the CMA’s New Artist of the Year honor.

To open the show, Allen and Barrett teamed up for a special medley performance of “Viva Las Vegas” and “Let’s Go to Vegas,” sung from the show’s promenade stage in the heart of the glittering city.

Marking the first time a major country awards show aired exclusively as a live stream, the 57th annual ACM Awards took place on Monday (March 7) at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. The show featured more than 20 performances airing only on Amazon Prime Video. Check out full coverage of the 2022 ACM Awards here, including a full list of winners.