During the 2016 County Music Hall of Fame’s benefit concert in Nashville, Sam Hunt left the audience in shock shortly after he took the stage.
Placed alongside country legends like Vince Gill and Keith Urban, one of country’s newest superstars took to the microphone wearing his signature flat-bill hat. Most of that was expected from Hunt.
What wasn’t expected was what he said.
Following the tragic loss of country legend, Merle Haggard, most of the performers honored the performer with sentimental words or intimate performances of his songs in the days after his passing. But, what Hunt did shocked everyone.
With Urban and Gill helping him out with his set by playing guitar and kicking in the background vocals, Hunt proved his country roots with a breathtaking performance of Merle’s famous hit, “The Way I Am”.
When these words hit the audience’s ears, everyone was either weeping or cheering him on. The singer didn’t even need a backing track for this incredible country hit and surely dazzled people!
Watch this soulful and heart-wrenching cover in the video below!