Carly Pearce Gives “Whiskey Lullaby” a Haunting Tribute at the 2026 ACM Honors

Carly Pearce brought one of country music’s most heartbreaking songs to the stage at the 2026 ACM Honors, delivering an emotional performance of “Whiskey Lullaby” in tribute to legendary songwriter and artist Bill Anderson.

The performance came Wednesday, August 19, as country music stars and industry figures gathered at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee, for the 19th ACM Honors. Unlike the annual ACM Awards, the Honors ceremony recognizes special award recipients, off-camera category winners, and ACM Industry and Studio Recording Award recipients.

Pearce co-hosted the ceremony with Parker McCollum. She returned for her sixth consecutive year as host, while McCollum joined her as co-host for the first time. The evening also featured performances from artists including Megan Moroney, Dierks Bentley, Trisha Yearwood, Sheryl Crow, Avery Anna and Zach John King.

Bill Anderson Receives the ACM Icon Award

At the center of Pearce’s tribute was Bill Anderson, the country music legend affectionately known as “Whisperin’ Bill.”

Anderson was among the recipients of the 2026 ACM Icon Award, an honor recognizing a country music artist, group or industry leader whose contributions across areas such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literature and philanthropy have made a lasting impact on country music and its community.

Anderson first rose to prominence in the late 1950s and went on to become one of country music’s most successful songwriters and recording artists. He was the inaugural recipient of the ACM Poet’s Award in 2008 and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The South Carolina native is also the longest-serving member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Anderson shared the 2026 ACM Icon Award category with Mike Curb. Previous recipients of the Icon Award have included Brooks & Dunn, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson and George Jones.

Carly Pearce Performs “Whiskey Lullaby”

To honor Anderson’s career, Pearce performed one of the songs associated with his celebrated songwriting legacy: “Whiskey Lullaby.”

Written by Anderson and Jon Randall, “Whiskey Lullaby” was originally recorded as a duet by Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss. The song appeared on Paisley’s 2004 album Mud on the Tires.

The ballad tells a tragic story of two people whose painful separation ultimately leads both of them to drink themselves to death. Its dark subject matter and emotional storytelling have helped make it one of the most memorable songs in modern country music.

“Whiskey Lullaby” earned the CMA Award for Song of the Year in 2005 and was later certified 2x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Pearce’s performance gave the song a new moment in the spotlight while recognizing Anderson’s decades-long influence on country music.

The 2026 ACM Honors brought together a wide range of artists and industry figures, but Pearce’s rendition of “Whiskey Lullaby” provided a particularly fitting tribute to Anderson and the songwriting legacy being celebrated that night.