Dierks Bentley Performs “I Hold On” In Moving Tribute To Brett James At ACM Honors
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During the 2026 ACM Honors, Dierks Bentley gave a special performance in honor of prolific songwriter Brett James.
The ACM Honors took place in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday night, August 19. The untelevised event brings some of the biggest names in country music together to celebrate artists, songwriters, and the many behind-the-scenes professionals who help make the music happen.
The night wasn’t just about handing out awards, though. There were also several tribute performances honoring some of the genre’s trailblazers.
One of the most emotional moments came when Dierks Bentley paid respect to his good friend and colleague, Brett James, with a performance of “I Hold On.”
Songwriter Brett James died at age 57 in a plane crash on September 18, 2025.
James, his wife Melody, and her daughter Meryl were passengers on the small aircraft before it crashed outside Franklin, North Carolina. There were no survivors.
James had a long and successful career as a songwriter in Nashville. A few of his most well-known songs include Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down,” Jason Aldean’s “The Truth,” and Jessica Andrews’ “Who I Am.”
He also worked closely with Carrie Underwood on many of her most famous tracks. James wrote or co-wrote “Something In The Water,” “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” and “Cowboy Casanova.”
In 2020, James was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Dierks Bentley Performs “I Hold On” In Honor Of Brett James
James and Bentley wrote “I Hold On” together more than a decade ago. The song was originally released in 2013 as the second single from Bentley’s album Riser.
It’s easy to see why Bentley chose this song to honor James at the ACM Honors.
“I Hold On” is all about staying true to yourself and holding on to what matters most. For Bentley and so many others, James made a lasting impact on their lives, and they’ll always hold on to the memories they shared with him.
Bentley took the stage and performed a stripped-down version of the song. It was just him and guitarist Ben Helson on background vocals. Both of them strummed acoustic guitars.
Right after the performance, a posthumous ACM Poet’s Award was accepted on James’ behalf.
Watch Dierks Bentley’s emotional tribute to Brett James below.
