Jimmie Allen – Sans Brad Paisley – Performs ‘Freedom Was A Highway’ On ‘CMA Summer Jam’

Jimmie Allen brought his latest single, “Freedom Was A Highway” to life with a performance on CMA Summer Jam on…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

September 2, 2021

8:51 pm

Jimmie Allen; Photo Courtesy ABC

Jimmie Allen brought his latest single, “Freedom Was A Highway” to life with a performance on CMA Summer Jam on Thursday evening.

Though his friend and duet partner, Brad Paisley, was unable to join him for the performance, Allen held his own on stage, delivering a memorable performance of the nostalgic hit.

“I couldn’t afford to get Brad here, ya know the way my bank account is set up ya know, but nah it’s gonna be fun,” Allen joked prior to taking the stage.

Need a break from the heat? We got you. @JimmieAllen is bringing the COOL factor all the way up at #CMASummerJam on @ABCNetwork 😎🥶 pic.twitter.com/cwgireXziU

— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) September 3, 2021

Of the song, Allen shared, “It’s a song I wrote with two friends of mine, Ash Bowers and Matt Rogers. I love it ya know it’s a fun song. It takes me back to my hometown every time I get a chance to sing it, so to be able to sing it for you know the people watching CMA Summer Jam and hopefully takes them back to their hometown.”

“Freedom Was A Highway” is featured on Allen’s star-studded record Bettie James.

CMA Summer Jam also featured performances from Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Florida Georgia Line, Mickey Guyton, Miranda Lambert, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, and Lainey Wilson.

Additionally, the three-hour show included star-studded collaborations by Bentley with HARDY & BRELAND, Underwood and Dwight Yoakam, Lambert with Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line feat. Thomas Rhett, newlyweds Shelton and Stefani, as well as Swindell & Bryan.

CMA Summer Jam aired on Thursday, September 2 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET) on ABC.

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.