On November 20, 2024, the 58th Annual Country Music Awards witnessed a performance that transcended music and became a spiritual experience. Jelly Roll, the genre-bending former rapper, joined country icons Brooks & Dunn to perform their 2005 hit “Believe,” a gospel-tinged ballad from their Reboot II album. Backed by a full orchestra, the trio—Jelly Roll, Kix Brooks, and Ronnie Dunn—delivered a rendition so powerful it left the Bridgestone Arena audience in tears, earned a standing ovation, and amassed nearly 2 million YouTube views in under a week. Hailed as the night’s standout, this collaboration has cemented its place in country music history.
The performance began with Jelly Roll and Kix Brooks setting a reverent tone, their voices intertwining with the orchestra’s swelling strings. Jelly Roll’s gritty, soulful delivery brought a fresh edge to the song, reflecting his journey from incarceration to redemption. As Ronnie Dunn stepped in, his iconic tenor soared, elevating the energy to a near-sacred crescendo. By the song’s emotional peak, Jelly Roll was visibly moved, pouring his heart into every note. The audience, including stars like Luke Combs and Carrie Underwood, was left “wrecked,” as one X post described, with many wiping away tears. “Jelly and Brooks & Dunn brought church to the CMAs,” another fan tweeted, capturing the moment’s spiritual weight.
The performance’s impact extended far beyond the arena. Uploaded to YouTube, the video garnered nearly 2 million views by May 28, 2025, with fans praising its raw emotion. “I’ve watched this 10 times and still cry,” one commenter wrote. The collaboration, part of Brooks & Dunn’s Reboot II project featuring modern artists, was a bold fusion of old and new country. Jelly Roll, whose 2024 album New Me earned him CMA nominations, brought authenticity shaped by his struggles with addiction and loss. Brooks & Dunn, with their 2005 ACM Song of the Year for “Believe,” proved their timeless appeal.
Social media buzzed with praise, though some traditionalists on X questioned Jelly Roll’s country credentials, with one post stating, “Great performance, but is Jelly really country?” Defenders were quick to respond, citing his storytelling and vulnerability as quintessentially country. “Jelly Roll’s pain in ‘Believe’ is what country’s about,” one user countered. The performance also sparked envy, with fans marveling at Jelly Roll’s rise. “From prison to singing with Brooks & Dunn at the CMAs—unreal,” a tweet read. The trio’s chemistry, honed during rehearsals for Reboot II, was undeniable, with Dunn later telling Billboard, “Jelly’s heart is as big as his voice.”
Critics and fans alike dubbed it the performance of the night, with Rolling Stone noting how Jelly Roll’s “former rapper grit” meshed with Brooks & Dunn’s classic sound. The orchestra amplified the song’s gospel roots, creating a “Sunday morning worship” vibe, as Taste of Country described. For Jelly Roll, it was a career-defining moment, affirming his place in country music. For Brooks & Dunn, it was a testament to their enduring legacy. As one X post summed up, “This is why we love country—heart, soul, and tears.” The “Believe” performance at the 2024 CMAs will be remembered as a moment when music became transcendent, uniting generations and leaving an indelible mark.
