In a special performance at the 2021 ACM Awards on Sunday night (Apr. 18), Dierks Bentley was joined by Americana duo The War and Treaty for an electric, bluegrass rendition of U2’s “Pride (In The Name Of Love).”
The country veteran injected a shot of adrenaline into the 1984 classic by including some furious fiddle and soulful harmonies — courtesy of The War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount — along with his own acoustic guitar. The performance was dedicated to JT Gray, the owner of the famed Station Inn in Nashville who passed away last month; prior to the performance, Bentley spoke from the stage of the Station Inn, recalling his early interest in bluegrass music and describing Gray as a “leader of the bluegrass community.”
Bentley is nominated for male artist of the year at the ACM Awards, alongside Eric Church, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett and Chris Stapleton. His music video for “Gone” was nominated for video of the year but lost out to Kane Brown’s “Worldwide Beautiful” clip.
The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by MRC. MRC and Penske Media are co-parent companies of Billboard.
