Jimmie Allen Brings High-Flying ‘Freedom Was a Highway’ to CMA Awards Stage

An energetic performance from the newly-crowned CMA New Artist of the Year!

Jimmie Allen Brings High-Flying ‘Freedom Was a Highway’ to CMA Awards Stage
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 10: Jimmie Allen speaks on stage during the 55th annual Country Music Association awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)

CMA New Artist of the Year winner Jimmie Allen took to the stage at the 55th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 10 to perform his free-spirited single, “Freedom Was a Highway.” Dressed in a sparkled denim jacket and cowboy boots along with dapper hat and sunglasses, Allen belted the ode to summer love that he originally recorded with Brad Paisley for his Bettie James EP.

Allen sang the first half of the song on an elevated platform that featured a reflective geometric design. While sharing a few suave dance moves, he then walked down the platform to finish the song at the front of the stage while energetic lights swirled around him and his band backed him up.

Allen recently wrapped up a spin on Season 30 of the popular ABC reality competition, Dancing With the Stars, where he was paired with professional dancer Emma and made it eight weeks before being sent home on Monday (November 8).

Allen and his wife Alexis recently welcomed the birth of a daughter named Zara James, and the “Best Shot” hitmaker released “Freedom Was a Highway” as a duet with Brad Paisley in early 2021. It is currently just outside country radio’s Top 10.

Back in their usual format after the pandemic-impacted 2020 show, the 55th Annual CMA Awards aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 10. The night featured dozens of performances and awards presentation for a glitzy ceremony dubbed “Country’s Biggest Night,” and was hosted by superstar Luke Bryan for the first time. You can check out Sounds Like Nashville’s full coverage here.