Dierks Bentley + the War and Treaty Grace ACMs With U2 Classic

Dierks Bentley, the War and Treaty, Larking Poe and Brittany Haas gave one of the most musically surprising performances at the 2021 ACM Awards in Nashville on Sunday night (April 18). The county star and the Americana and roots duo teamed up to put their own unique spin on U2's classic song, "Pride (In the Name of Love)."

Before performing, Bentley introduced the venue — Nashville's famed Station Inn — as the ground zero for Bluegrass in the city. He told the story of first visiting the venue when he was 19 years old and finding something special. Bentley also paid tribute to the Station Inn's former owner J.T. Gray, who died at the age of 75 earlier in the year.

Bentley and company then ripped into a soaring rendition of "Pride (In the Name of Love)" in one of the evening's most rousing performances. The War and Treaty provided hair-raising vocals during the chorus, while roots rock band Larkin Poe and famed fiddler Brittany Haas provided all the bluegrass energy the song deserved.

Bentley first met the husband-and-wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount Trotter in 2018 at that year's Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and they played at his Seven Peaks Festival in 2019. They kept in touch via text throughout the pandemic, and that's how Bentley asked them to join him at the 2021 ACM Awards — by sending them a text.

"Pride (In the Name of Love)" gave U2 one of their most enduring songs when it was released as the lead single from their all-time classic 1984 album The Unforgettable Fire.

Bentley previously covered the song on his 2010 bluegrass album Up on the Ridge, in a new arrangement with the Punch Brothers featuring Del McCoury. The ACM performance was another updated arrangement worthy of the hype.

Bentley went into the 2021 ACM Awards broadcast on Sunday night with a nomination for Male Artist of the Year, and he was also nominated in the category of Video of the Year, which went to Kane Brown in an early win announced in the days prior to the show.

The 2021 ACM Awards air live on CBS and stream live on Paramount+. Sign up for Paramount+ here.

2021 ACM Awards Show Photos:

The 2021 ACM Awards took place in Nashville on Sunday night (April 18). Luke Bryan was crowned Entertainer of the Year, while Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris were named Male and Female Artist of the Year, respectively.

The three-hour show was also packed with performances from Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Little Big Town and many more. Artists were at the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe, as well as on Lower Broadway, at the Station Inn and along the Nashville riverfront.

Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton co-hosted the show.

See Pictures From the 2021 ACM Awards Red Carpet:

The best dressed on the 2021 ACM Awards red carpet brought color — lots of color — for an awards show that promises to be a celebration. Photos show stars like Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Young, Kane Brown and more wearing the hottest and often most expensive designer outfits, or suits they designed themselves, in the case of Jimmie Allen.

Check out a full gallery of country music's hottest stars on the ACM Awards red carpet. Who do you think is best dressed and worst dressed?

The 2021 ACM Awards took place at the Bluebird Cafe, Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sunday (April 18).

Filed Under: Dierks Bentley