By quantriweb2023 
In April 2011, an unforgettable moment unfolded during the CBS televised concert special titled ACM Girls’ Night Out: Superstar Women of Country. On this highly celebrated stage, Ronnie Dunn, famed both as one half of the legendary duo Brooks & Dunn and as a solo artist, delivered a profoundly emotional rendition of the haunting ballad “Stay.” Originally penned and performed by Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, the song carried immense personal and artistic weight.
Jennifer Nettles stood just offstage, an honored figure recognized during the event for her singular achievement as only the second female artist ever to solely write and perform a Song of the Year. Observing Dunn as he sang, Nettles witnessed an impressive depth of feeling pour from his performance, capturing the very soul and rawness with which she wrote and performed the song herself. As The Boot described the moment—it was truly “hair-raising.”
The atmosphere brimmed with reverence and awe. Nettles, visibly stirred by Dunn’s heartfelt interpretation, expressed,
“Thank you so much, that was really, really beautiful.”
Her words echoed the deep connection and mutual respect between two country music icons, bridging artistry and emotion in a rare and powerful tribute.
Originally released in September 2007 as part of Sugarland’s album Enjoy the Ride, “Stay” quickly established itself as a signature ballad. Written solely by Jennifer Nettles, the song soared to an impressive No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, just trailing behind Taylor Swift’s “Our Song.” Its commercial success was undeniable, earning Gold and later Platinum certification. But it wasn’t just sales—the track received critical acclaim, winning Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Country Song, alongside prestigious CMA and ACM Song of the Year awards.
Ronnie Dunn’s tribute during an event dedicated to honoring female country artists re-infused the ballad with fresh emotional texture, reminding audiences of the song’s raw vulnerability and lyrical depth that had made it resonate so deeply for so many.
“He poured out the same emotion that she put into the song originally,”
a music insider noted, capturing the spirit of this touching homage.
This poignant performance continues to echo in the hearts of country music fans, reaffirming the power of song to convey the deepest human emotions and the respect artists hold for one another’s work.