When Little Big Town introduced Keith Urban at the Academy of Country Music Awards, they shared how he was “stopped in his tracks” the first time he heard Burden. And from the moment he stepped onto the stage, it became clear why. With hauntingly beautiful vocals and an aching intensity, Urban poured his entire soul into the performance, every note laced with raw emotion. The weight of the lyrics, the vulnerability in his voice—it was a breathtaking combination that left the audience spellbound. As he sang, the room seemed to hold its breath, captivated by the sheer depth of feeling he brought to the song. By the final note, the impact was undeniable. Fans and fellow artists alike wiped away tears, knowing they had just witnessed something truly unforgettable

Little Big Town took the stage at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night to introduce Keith Urban’s latest performance at the annual event, where they noted that the superstar was “stopped in his tracks” and deeply moved the first time he heard the song he was about to perform, “Burden.” He wasn’t even halfway through his performance before it was made abundantly clear why.

Urban’s rendition of the touching song was nothing short of powerful, singing lyrics like “I could carry your burden,” and “Come to me, my brother, and I will sit with you a while / Pretty soon I’ll see you smile and you know you will.” As usual Urban had the audience deep in their emotions, including wife Nicole Kidman, who cheered him on from the front row.

Watch a clip from the 51-year-old country star’s performance ahead, and then keep scrolling to see more choice moments from Urban’s big night!