This Monday, the Academy of Country Music made it known that “On The Road Again (ACM Lifting Lives Edition)” will hit radio and all digital platforms Thursday. In this contemporary take on his 1980 classic, Willie Nelson will be accompanied by Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, Jordan Davis, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Riley Green, Caylee Hammack, Cody Johnson, Tenille Townes and Morgan Wallen, this year’s nominees for New Female Artist and New Male Artist at the ACM Awards. All proceeds from the single will benefit the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, a resource for members of the country music industry who are struggling in the wake of the pandemic.
“This is a powerful way to showcase so many of our newer and fast-rising artists alongside one of our genre’s most legendary artists and iconic songs of all time. It feels very appropriate that this event will raise much needed funds for our Country Music industry members in financial crisis,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.
The signature country anthem was penned by Nelson to serve as the theme song for “Honeysuckle Rose,” the film in which Nelson earned his first starring role as Buck Bonham, an aspiring musician faced with the challenge of balancing family life with touring. “On The Road Again,” which was initially written on the back of an airplane barf bag, won the Grammy for Best Country Song in 1981. Most recently, it was featured in “Forever Country,” the 2016 mashup recorded in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the CMA Awards.
“On The Road Again (ACM Lifting Lives Edition),” described by Whiteside as “so poignant for our current times,” will arrive just weeks before the winners of the ACM Awards’ New Artist of the Year categories are announced. Although it is normal for the New Artist of the Year winners to be announced prior to the annual ACM Awards ceremony, this year’s victors will be notified later than ever because of the delay imposed by the COVID-19 crisis. The 55th ACM Awards ceremony was originally slated to take place in Las Vegas on April 5. When it was postponed, CBS aired a special in its place entitled “ACM Presents: Our Country.” The concert featured various acoustic performances recorded in artists’ homes.
Now, for the first time in country music history, the ACM Awards ceremony will be held in Nashville. Hosted by reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and 15-time ACM Award winner Keith Urban, this year’s broadcast will include both live and pre-recorded segments taped at the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. It will air on CBS at 8 p.m. ET on September 16.
