Darius Rucker and The Black Crowes Deliver Soulful Rendition Of ‘She Talks to Angels’ On CMT Music Awards

In a soulful rendition of “She Talks to Angels,” Darius Rucker teamed up with The Black Crowes on the CMT Music Awards stage.

The collaboration was a preview of an upcoming episode of CMT Crossroads featuring the acts, which is slated to air in May 2023.

“She Talks to Angels” was the eighth track on The Black Crowes’ first album, Shake Your Money Maker (1990), and was the fourth single released from the album in 1991. The song reached number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. Lead singer Chris Robinson explained that the song is loosely based on a “goth girl” he was acquainted with in Atlanta, during a webisode promoting the band’s 2010 Croweology album.

In addition to his upcoming CMT Crossroads appearance, Rucker has begun to unveil details surrounding his yet-to-be released new project, Carolyn’s Boy, an ode to Rucker’s late mother Carolyn, with fans already getting a sneak peek into the record with tracks “Same Beer Different Problem” and “Ol’ Church Hymn” (featuring Chapel Hart).

He is also hitting the road for his Starting Fires Tour this summer. The 21-date trek will kick off on June 15 at Roanoke, VA’s Elmwood Park Amphitheatre and will wrap up on October 14 at Nashville, TN’s Ascend Amphitheater. Joining Rucker as direct support for select dates throughout the stint are Americana group Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors and rising star Drew Green.

Co-hosted by Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini, the 2023 CMT Music Awards featured performances from Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, and Tyler Hubbard. 

Additionally, the show included one-of-a-kind collaborations, including a 10th anniversary of CMT Next Women of Country celebration featuring Alanis Morissette with Lainey Wilson, Ingrid Andress, Madeline Edwards, and Morgan Wade. Gwen Stefani and Carly Pearce joined forces for a special collaboration, while Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown teamed up for the television premiere of their chart-topping duet, “Thank God.” 

The Black Crowes and Darius Rucker delivered a first-time collaboration of “She Talks To Angels,” and Wynonna Judd and Ashley McBryde will also take the stage together. 

The show also included a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan from Gary Clark, Jr. and a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute from Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Cody Johnson, Paul Rodgers, Slash & Warren Haynes and LeAnn Rimes & Wynonna Judd as honorary “Honkettes.”

Rising stars Avery Anna, Chapel Hart, Jackson Dean, Lily Rose, Nate Smith, and Megan Moroney made their CMT Music Awards performance debut on the Ram Trucks Side Stage.  

Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Charles Esten, Dixie D’Amelio, Dustin Lynch, HARDY, Ian Bohen + Jen Landon (Yellowstone), Jon Pardi, LeAnn Rimes, Madison Bailey (Outer Banks), Max Thieriot (Fire Country), Megan Thee Stallion, Noah Schnapp (Stranger Things), Parker McCollum, Peter Frampton, Shania Twain, Steve Howey (True Lies) and Travis Kelce appeared as presenters. 

The coveted awards show aired live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday, April 2 at 8/7c on CBS. It was also available to stream live and on-demand via Paramount+.