This groundbreaking performance marks the first instance ever where women have shared lead vocals on the Skynyrd classic.
Lainey Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Elle King; Photo Courtesy of CBS
Lainey Wilson and Elle King join forces with Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd for a collaborative performance of “Sweet Home Alabama” during New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash on Sunday evening (Dec. 31). This groundbreaking performance marks the first instance ever where women have shared lead vocals on the Skynyrd classic.
Together, the trio of artists delivered an impressive rendition of the iconic hit live from Nashville’s Bicentennial Mall stage as a sea of fans watched on, awaiting the city’s iconic Music Note Drop at midnight.
“Sweet home, Alabama/ Where the skies are so blue/ Sweet home, Alabama/ Lord, I’m comin’ home to you,” Wilson, King and Lynyrd Skynyrd sang in sync during the song’s chorus.
“Sweet Home Alabama” is one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature hits and is the band’s highest charting single. The tune appears on the group’s second studio album, Second Helping, whcih was released in 1974. “Sweet Home Alabama” was written in response to Neil Young’s “Southern Man,” a song blaming the south for slavery.
In addition to performing “Sweet Home Alabama,” the award-winning rock band also performed songs such as “Gimme Three Steps,” “Simple Man,” “Free Bird” and more.
Lainey Wilson And Elle King Also Performed
Earlier in the show, Elle King took a break from her hosting duties to perform a cover of “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.” King, who fans deemed unrecognizable earlier in the evening, also performed her chart-topping hit, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” sans Miranda Lambert.
Elle King; Photo Courtesy of CBS
Meanwhile, Lainey Wilson dazzled in sparkling silver bell bottoms while delivering mesmerizing performances of “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Smells Like Smoke,” “Things A Man Oughta Know” and more during New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash. Wilson also welcomed Jackson Dean and 17-year-old guitar virtuoso, Grace Bowers, to the stage to perform a cover of Barry White’s “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love,” which will likely go down in history as one of the best performances from the event.
How To Watch New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville Big Bash
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash also featured performances from Trace Adkins, Grace Bowers, Kane Brown, Jackson Dean, Old Dominion, HARDY, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Trombone Shorty, Morgan Wallen, and Bailey Zimmerman.
In addition to solo performances, several of the artists joined forces for one-of-a-kind collaborations throughout the night. Wilson teamed up with Grace Bowers and Jackson Dean, while Brothers Osborne performed alongside Trombone Shorty and Blake Shelton reunited with Trace Adkins. Tennessee Titans’ wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, and comedian, Rob Schneider, who is Elle King’s dad, also made an appearance during the special.
Lainey Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Elle King; Photo Courtesy of CBS
The five-hour broadcast was filmed throughout Music City from a variety of locations, including Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park along with numerous honky-tonks, bars, and clubs on the city’s infamous Lower Broadway. The show featured over 50 impressive performances across multiple time zones, all live from Nashville. Nashville synchronized its countdown with the East Coast at midnight and continued its festivities until midnight Central Time, which concluded with the city’s iconic Music Note Drop at the Bicentennial Mall stage.
Directed by Sandra Restrepo, the New Year’s Eve celebration was co-hosted by Elle King and Entertainment Tonight‘s Rachel Smith alongside TV and radio host Cody Alan, CBS anchor Lonnie Quinn and Dustin Lynch, who corresponded from New York City’s iconic Times Square.
Nashville’s Big Bash aired LIVE on Sunday, December 31 (7:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT, 10:30 PM-1:05 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streamed via Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).
