Brothers Osborne Share Meaningful Performance of ‘Younger Me’ at 2021 CMA Awards

Brothers Osborne brought a powerful message of inclusivity to the 55th Annual CMA Awards. The current CMA Vocal Duo Of…

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Lauren Jo Black

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November 10, 2021

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11:32 pm

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Brothers Osborne; Photo Courtesy ABC

Brothers Osborne brought a powerful message of inclusivity to the 55th Annual CMA Awards.

The current CMA Vocal Duo Of The Year nominees performed their latest single, “Younger Me,” during the star-studded awards show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

“The fact that we get to play a song that is so meaningful, particularly to myself, at a country music award show, it’s one of those things that just kind of transcends the awards itself, money itself, fame,” TJ Osborne told Associated Press ahead of their performance.

YouTube video

Click above to watch Brothers Osborne’s “Younger Me” performance.

The four-time CMA Award-winning duo are nominated for three awards, including a first time nomination on the Album Of The Year category for Skeletons.

TJ Osborne penned the track as a message to his younger self.

“‘Younger Me’ was conceived as a message to my younger self and struggling with being different, not knowing where I was going,” TJ Osborne, who came out as gay in February, previously shared. “I’ve always wished I could speak to my younger self, give him a hug and show him who he’d become and what he’d achieve.”

Brothers Osborne; Photo by CMA
Brothers Osborne; Photo by CMA

The superstar duo first performed “Younger Me” on the steps of the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville during iHeartRadio’s Can’t Cancel Pride event earlier this year.

The 55th Annual CMA Awards also featured performances from Luke Combs, Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Jennifer Hudson, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band.

Additionally, the show included star-studded collaborations by Chris Young and Kane Brown, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, Mickey Guyton, Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, BRELAND and HARDY. 

Country singers Trace Adkins, Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, Deana Carter, Russell Dickerson, Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson, Lady A, Scotty McCreery, Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood were on hand to present during the ceremony.

Lauren Daigle, Faith Fennidy, Freddie Freeman, Amy Grant, Dulé Hill, Elle King, Zachary Levi, Hayley Orrantia, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Susan Sarandon, Saycon Sengbloh and Kurt Warner also made special appearances throughout the broadcast. 

Hosted by Luke Bryan, the 2021 CMA Awards broadcasted live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 8/7c on ABC.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.