Dan + Shay Deliver Powerful ACM Performance In Honor Of Mental Health Awareness
on May 17, 2026
Shania Twain Hosts The 61st Annual ACM Awards
Country music’s biggest stars gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada for this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM Awards) Sunday evening. Hosted by country music legend Shania Twain, the show took place exclusively on Prime Video.
The show celebrated 61 years of Country Music and offered fans a number of unforgettable performances by some of the genre’s most talented stars.
Dan + Shay Celebrate Over One Decade Performing Together
Made up of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, the duo formed in Nashville in 2012 and quickly gained attention for their vocal harmonies and emotionally driven songwriting.
The pair earned their first ACM nomination in 2014 for Vocal Duo of the Year, just one year after releasing their debut single. Their breakthrough ACM moment came in 2019 when they dominated the awards with their hit song “Tequila.” That year, they won Duo of the Year, Single of the Year, and Song of the Year.
In recent years, the two have also been open about the personal struggles behind their success. In 2023, the duo revealed they nearly split up due to burnout and communication challenges after years of nonstop touring and recording.
They rallied together and decided to work through their issues, later releasing the album Bigger Houses, which they described as one of their most personal projects to date.
Dan + Shay Take The Stage During The 2026 ACM Awards
On Sunday (May 17), Dan + Shay took the stage during the 2026 ACM Awards to deliver an emotional performance with their powerful hit, “Say So.”
Fighting through tears, Lauren Alaina introduced the group during Mental Health Awareness Month.
The duo wrote the latest single alongside David Hodges and Jimmy Robbins as a tribute to their mentor Ben Vaughn, the longtime head of Warner Chappell Music. Vaughn died by suicide on January 30, 2025, at the age of 49.
“This song is a true story about a friend who we lost not long ago, and we hope it offers strength and encouragement to anyone going through a tough time,” the duo told fans. “The subject matter is heavy, it is serious, it is timely, and it is something we feel is important to talk about.”
At the end of the performance, a black screen flashed with the words, “In loving memory of our friend Ben Vaughn.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. In the U.S. and Canada, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7.
