The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards promised unforgettable moments, and few lived up to the hype quite like the powerhouse collaboration between Shaboozey and Jelly Roll. Their live performance of “Amen” was more than just music — it was a statement, a meeting of two artists from different paths whose voices collided to create one of the night’s most electrifying highlights.

A pairing that turned heads

When the ACM lineup was first announced, the pairing of Shaboozey and Jelly Roll sparked curiosity across the country music world. Shaboozey, known for his genre-blending mix of country, hip-hop, and folk influences, has been steadily carving out a lane that challenges traditional boundaries. Jelly Roll, with his raw, soulful vocals and deeply personal songwriting, has become one of the most relatable voices in modern country storytelling.

Together, they were billed as unlikely partners. Onstage, however, they proved to be a perfect match.

The performance

As the lights dimmed, the stage bathed in deep crimson hues, the first chords of “Amen” rang out. Shaboozey took the lead, his voice smooth yet commanding, setting the tone with a delivery that felt both intimate and urgent. The crowd leaned in, sensing the weight of the moment.

Then came Jelly Roll, his gravelly voice surging into the mix like a storm breaking. Where Shaboozey’s vocals carried clarity and edge, Jelly Roll’s brought grit and soul, the kind of lived-in resonance that made every word hit harder.

When the two finally sang together, harmonizing on the chorus, the contrast of their tones created an explosive tension — a push and pull of energy that turned the performance into something larger than either artist alone.

Audience members could be seen rising to their feet mid-song, swept up in the electricity. By the final verse, the atmosphere had shifted from quiet reverence to full-throated celebration.

A song with weight

Amen isn’t just a crowd-pleaser. The track carries with it themes of struggle, redemption, and the search for peace. It’s a song that acknowledges hardship while still reaching for something higher, a message that resonates deeply in country music’s storytelling tradition.

For Jelly Roll, who has openly shared his battles with addiction and the road to redemption, the lyrics carried a raw authenticity. For Shaboozey, whose artistry often focuses on pushing boundaries and bringing new perspectives to country’s soundscape, the song was an opportunity to show that vulnerability and experimentation can coexist.

The performance felt less like two stars showcasing themselves and more like two human beings testifying — each verse a prayer, each chorus an outpouring of survival and gratitude.

The crowd’s reaction

As the final notes rang out, the crowd erupted into a standing ovation. Viewers at home flooded social media with reactions, calling the performance one of the night’s defining moments. One fan wrote, “That was church. Shaboozey and Jelly Roll just turned the ACMs into a revival.” Another added, “You could feel every word. That wasn’t just a song, that was a story.”

Even fellow artists backstage were reportedly moved. Cameras caught several big names nodding along, clearly absorbed by the intensity of what was unfolding onstage.

A defining moment for both artists

For Shaboozey, the performance marked another step in his ascent, showcasing not only his vocal range but his ability to hold his own alongside established stars. For Jelly Roll, it reaffirmed his status as a voice of authenticity in country music — someone who connects with audiences not through polish, but through honesty.

Together, they created a moment that bridged audiences, genres, and expectations. It was proof that country music, at its best, is not about fitting into one mold, but about telling stories that move people — whether those stories come dressed in smooth melodies, gravelly confessions, or a mix of both.

The legacy of “Amen” at the ACMs

Award shows are filled with fleeting moments, but every now and then, a performance transcends the night itself. Shaboozey and Jelly Roll’s rendition of “Amen” was one such performance. It was the kind of collaboration that people will revisit on replay, the kind that leaves audiences asking for more music from a pairing that seemed unlikely at first but now feels destined.

In a night designed to celebrate the breadth and depth of country music, this performance reminded everyone that the genre’s power lies not in tradition or trend alone, but in emotion — raw, unfiltered, and shared.

And on that stage, under the lights of the 60th ACM Awards, Shaboozey and Jelly Roll shared something unforgettable.