H.E.R. & Chris Stapleton Perform ‘Hold On’ At CMT Music Awards

H.E.R. and Chris Stapleton gave an outstanding duo performance of the R&B singer’s song “Hold On” at the CMT Music Awards last night. The song, which is slow and sweet with a burst of vocals at the end, complimented both artist’s abilities nicely. H.E.R. sang the first part with a smooth voice and masterful vibrato. Stapleton added backup vocals before coming in during the second half of the song. He was certainly not upstaged and met H.E.R.’s range with his signature raspy, soulful sound. The two then finished the piece together in a moving performance that left hosts Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown speechless for a few seconds before introducing the next act.

H.E.R. first debuted the ballad on Saturday Night Live in October. The award-winning singer has garnered critical acclaim in the last few years for her vulnerable lyrics and expressive vocals. Her second album, I Used to Know Her, was nominated for five Grammys, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for “Hard Place.” Most recently, she won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for “I Can’t Breathe.” She also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah.

H.E.R. has explained her own musical style, utilizing R&B ballads, as “a voice for women who feel like they’re alone.”

Watch the full performance below.