Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
In April 2011, CBS aired ACM Girls’ Night Out: Superstar Women of Country, a televised special honoring female trailblazers in the genre. That evening, Ronnie Dunn—celebrated as one half of the iconic Brooks & Dunn as well as for his solo work—stepped into the spotlight with a stirring interpretation of “Stay.” The song, originally written and performed by Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, carried an added significance. Nettles was being recognized at the event as only the second woman in country music history to both write and perform a Song of the Year entirely on her own.
As Dunn sang, the atmosphere shifted. His voice, marked by its unmistakable ache and grit, echoed the very emotion Nettles had infused into the piece when she first created it. From the side of the stage, Nettles listened intently. Her reaction—“Thank you so much, that was really, really beautiful”—spoke volumes. The sincerity in her words revealed how deeply she was moved by Dunn’s performance, a tribute that both honored her artistry and magnified the power of the song itself. Outlets like The Boot later described the moment as “hair-raising,” a testament to the authenticity of Dunn’s delivery and the respect he showed for Nettles’ work.
“Stay” had already secured its place in modern country history long before this performance. Released in September 2007 on Sugarland’s Enjoy the Ride album, it became the duo’s defining ballad. Nettles, its sole writer, saw the track climb to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, just behind Taylor Swift’s “Our Song.” The single achieved Gold and then Platinum status, while also sweeping up accolades: Grammy wins for Best Country Song and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, alongside Song of the Year honors from both the CMA and ACM.
On that 2011 stage, however, Dunn gave the song a renewed presence. By lending his own voice to Nettles’ vulnerable storytelling, he added a fresh layer of poignancy. It was more than a cover—it was a heartfelt acknowledgment of a peer’s artistry, delivered in a moment designed to spotlight women who had reshaped country music.
Video