Sam Hunt Celebrates Alabama on CMT Giants With an Awesome Cover of “Song of the South”

Taking over Belmont’s Fisher Center in Nashville, country music looked to honor one of the most iconic bands in the genre. With the venue packed with stars and celebrities like Jason Aldean and Blake Shelton, CMT Giants celebrated the legacy of the hit band Alabama. Part of country music since the 1960s, the band helped usher the genre into a new era of music. Always embracing the future while remembering the past, Alabama’s rich history not only entertained fans over the years but inspired a new generation of artists like Sam Hunt, who took over CMT Giants with his cover of “Song of the South.”

While not releasing his first album, Montevallo, until 2014, Hunt spent years in country music, helping other stars write their songs. Before exploring a solo career, the country singer helped write songs for Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, and even Reba McEntire. Although a master of words, Hunt proved himself to be a master of the stage with his hit song “Leave the Night On.” Holding a CMT Music Award, Hunt traveled back to the Great Depression for “Song of the South.”

Videos by American Songwriter

Released in the 1980s, “Song of the South” was originally recorded by Bobby Bare. While covering the song on their Southern Star album, Alabama watched as the hit dominated the charts in the U.S. and Canada. As for Hunt, his performance gained love and praise from fans.

[RELATED: Sam Hunt Announces Summer 2024 Tour]

Sam Hunt Lands Hit Song With “Outskirts”

Outside of celebrating Alabama, 2024 marked the release of Hunt’s latest EP Locked Up. Hitting shelves back in April, the EP featured songs like “Outskirts.” While the EP comes with only four songs, Hunt admitted that the project took years to complete. Discussing the album, he said, “They reflect this season of my life that I’ve been in. Getting older and writing from different perspectives now than I did early on. When you’re finished with the project. You’re always looking forward to that next one. So I’m already on to the next one in my mind, but I’m happy that these songs are out.”

As for the success of his song “Outskirts”, Hunt concluded, “It’s been great. It’s really been fun to watch. You know, we get our die-hard fans who know about the songs when they come out and they’ll sing the songs back at the live show. And then you hear the response grow when the song on radio has success.”

(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMT)