Introduction
Title: “Faith on the Big Stage: Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll Bring Goosebumps with Their Soul-Stirring Rendition of ‘Believe’ at the 58th CMA Awards”
There are moments in country music that rise above spectacle — moments that reach into the soul and remind us why songs matter. The 58th Annual CMA Awards delivered one of those rare, spine-tingling instances when Brooks & Dunn with Jelly Roll – Believe (Live from the 58th Annual CMA Awards) took center stage. It wasn’t just a performance. It was a spiritual encounter — a blend of country, gospel, and truth, rolled into one unforgettable moment that had the entire arena standing still in reverence.
From the instant the stage lights dimmed and the first soft piano notes rang out, something sacred filled the air. Kix Brooks sat behind the keys, his familiar presence grounding the moment. Ronnie Dunn’s voice, weathered and rich from decades of storytelling, rose slowly, steady as an old prayer. And then Jelly Roll — the unlikely country preacher of this generation — stepped up beside them. What followed was more than a collaboration; it was communion.
“Believe” has always carried a certain power. Originally released in 2005 on Brooks & Dunn’s Hillbilly Deluxe album, the song was co-written by Ronnie Dunn and Craig Wiseman. It tells the story of a man who loses everything but finds redemption through faith. At its heart, it’s a song about holding on when life feels too heavy to bear — a message that feels even more profound today, in a world often too loud for reflection. For nearly twenty years, “Believe” has stood as one of Brooks & Dunn’s most moving ballads, earning them the CMA Award for Song of the Year and resonating with anyone who has ever faced loss, doubt, or the long climb back toward hope.
What made this live performance so powerful wasn’t just nostalgia — it was renewal. Jelly Roll, whose own life has been marked by struggle, redemption, and raw honesty, delivered the verses with an intensity that made every word hit harder. His gravel-edged voice carried both pain and peace, the kind that comes only from surviving. Ronnie Dunn’s harmonies soared above, steady and pure, while Kix Brooks’ piano playing gave the song a heartbeat — simple, honest, unadorned.
As the chorus swelled — “I can’t quote the book, the chapter, or the verse / You can’t tell me it all ends in a slow ride in a hearse…” — the audience rose to its feet. Some sang along. Some simply closed their eyes. It felt like church in the middle of country music’s biggest night. And for those few minutes, the noise of fame, awards, and industry politics faded into something far more eternal: gratitude and grace.
The staging matched the tone — dim lights, golden hues, and a subtle gospel choir in the background. No fireworks. No flashing screens. Just voices, instruments, and truth. In a world obsessed with spectacle, this moment proved that stillness can sometimes say the most.
Jelly Roll’s involvement wasn’t just a clever pairing — it was a statement. Country music has always been about real life, and Jelly Roll, with his tattoos and testimony, embodies that. His story mirrors the song’s message: brokenness isn’t the end; it’s where redemption begins. Teaming up with legends like Brooks & Dunn bridged generations of country fans — the old guard who grew up on traditional storytelling and the new wave drawn to authenticity over image.
When the final note rang out and the three men stood side by side, you could feel the weight of the moment. The crowd erupted, but not in a frenzied way — it was reverent, heartfelt. It was as if everyone knew they had just witnessed something that won’t fade once the lights go down.
In an era when country music sometimes leans too heavily on formula, Brooks & Dunn with Jelly Roll – Believe (Live from the 58th Annual CMA Awards) reminded us what this genre truly stands for: truth, heart, and faith. It wasn’t just about a hit song; it was about why songs exist in the first place — to comfort, to connect, to heal.
Long after the applause ended, that performance lingered — in memory, in emotion, in quiet reflection. Because “Believe” isn’t just a song you listen to. It’s a song you feel. And on that night, under the bright lights of Nashville, Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll didn’t just sing it — they lived it.