On the eve of the 2025 ACM Awards, Eric Church stepped into a room full of stars and legends and delivered a reminder of why Brooks & Dunn remain one of the most influential duos in country music history. At the ACM’s “Play Something Country” gala, Church honored the Hall of Famers with a stripped-down performance of “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” and somehow made the 1995 hit sound like it was written yesterday.
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The event, held in celebration of the 60th annual ACM Awards, was hosted by the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives. It brought together some of the biggest names in the format for a night dedicated to honoring Brooks & Dunn’s legacy. Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, and others each delivered their take on the duo’s expansive catalog. But Church’s performance stood out not just because of what he sang but also because of how he delivered it.
“You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone” was originally co-written by Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, and Don Cook and appeared on the 1994 album Waitin’ on Sundown. Unlike many of their biggest hits, which featured Ronnie Dunn’s powerhouse vocals, this track gave the spotlight to Kix Brooks. It was one of just a few songs in the Brooks & Dunn discography where Brooks stepped forward to lead—and it quickly became a fan favorite.
Church leaned into the song’s emotion, pairing his naturally weathered voice with an acoustic arrangement that felt intimate and haunting. Known for his rock-laced anthems and boundary-pushing albums like Evangeline vs. The Machine, his recent detour into gospel-laced, orchestral soundscapes made this performance feel like a conscious return to his roots. It was country. No flash. No fanfare. Just one man, one guitar, and one unforgettable song.
The heartbreak narrative of the song centers around a man who’s reached his breaking point. Tired of being taken for granted, he warns his partner that she’ll only realize his worth once he’s gone. The lyrics may be nearly 30 years old, but they resonated with fresh weight in Church’s hands.
For You
“There’s not much chance we’re gonna make it
If I’m the only one who’s trying
You know I’m running out of reasons
We’re running out of time…”
In a room full of polished production and label politics, a moment of raw vulnerability turned heads and silenced the crowd. Video clips shared online show audience members leaning in, fully immersed in the music, not a phone in sight. That alone speaks volumes.
It’s fitting that Church, often labeled as one of the genre’s modern-day rebels, would choose a Brooks-led song for his tribute. Both artists have built careers by doing things their own way, without chasing trends or approval. It was a nod of respect not just to the song, but to the spirit of independence that defines both Church and Brooks.
The gala closed with cheers, but Church’s performance lingered in the room after the applause faded. It didn’t just honor Brooks & Dunn—it honored the kind of country music that digs deep and says what needs to be said, even when it’s hard.
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