Lee Ann Womack performs with Parker McCollum at ACM Awards in Las Vegas

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Two Texas Legends Create Magic on Country’s Biggest Stage
• McCollum’s Album Nearly Became His Final Project
• A Family Connection Spanning Generations and Multiple Roles
• Lee Ann Womack Inspired McCollum From His Childhood Backseat
• Did This Unexpected Partnership Signal More Collaborations Ahead?
  • Sources

Lee Ann Womack just delivered a stunning duet performance alongside Parker McCollum at the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas on May 17. The two Texas natives performed a hushed, traditionalist take on McCollum’s “Killin’ Me” from his award-nominated album. What made this moment even more special? It was a full-circle performance for the rising star.

Two Texas Legends Create Magic on Country’s Biggest Stage

The duet marked a rare moment when country music royalty and a rising modern star collided on stage. Womack, a country music icon with decades of hits, performed alongside McCollum, who’s been building momentum with his latest self-titled album. The performance was described by fans and critics as a beautiful, traditionalist highlight of the entire awards show, with hushed vocals and intimate production that stood out against the evening’s bigger moments.

“Killin’ Me” originally appeared on McCollum’s fifth studio album, released in June 2025. The song has since become a standout track, and McCollum shared his wife starred in the accompanying music video. Having Womack join him for this live debut created an unexpected pairing that resonated instantly with the arena crowd.

McCollum’s Album Nearly Became His Final Project

Before heading to New York City to create this record, McCollum seriously considered walking away from music entirely. Speaking with Country Now backstage, the artist revealed feeling creatively burned out and desperate to feel magic again in the studio. What happened next was transformational for his career and artistry.

McCollum explained that he went into the studio with everything on the line, describing it as his last-ditch effort to reconnect with music. “I was kind of desperate to feel the buzz” he stated, admitting he had nothing left to give creatively than what he poured into this record. Just seven days after arriving in New York, the album was complete. “I found it again,” he reflected, saying the experience restored his faith that he had “50 years left in the tank.”

A Family Connection Spanning Generations and Multiple Roles

What makes the ACM Awards performance even more meaningful is the deep professional relationship between McCollum and the Womack family. Lee Ann Womack’s daughter, Aubrie Sellers, serves as a background vocalist on McCollum’s tours. Additionally, Womack’s husband, Frank Liddell, produced the ACM Album of the Year-nominated project that earned the night’s highest honors.

Family Connection	Role in McCollum’s Career
Aubrie Sellers	Background vocals on tours
Frank Liddell	Producer of nominated album
Anna Sellers	Assistant engineer on album
Lee Ann Womack	ACM Awards duet performance

“They’re unbelievably awesome people, first ballot hall of famers in the game of life. And so to have all of them here this weekend and Aubrie and her mom singing on stage with me, I mean, I should be the background singer up there on that one. So it’s just an honor.”

— Parker McCollum, Country Artist

Lee Ann Womack Inspired McCollum From His Childhood Backseat

McCollum has long admired Lee Ann Womack as “literally one of the greatest to ever do it” in country music history. Before his career ever took off, he listened to her music from the backseat of his mother’s car as a child. Standing on stage with her decades later represents a profound full-circle moment in his artistic journey.

This performance comes alongside McCollum’s major win at the ceremony, where his self-titled album took home the ACM Album of the Year award. The night celebrated both his artistic growth and the deep relationships he’s built within country music’s most respected circles. Former collaborators and family members of Womack were present to witness this historic duet on country music’s biggest night.

Did This Unexpected Partnership Signal More Collaborations Ahead?

The chemistry between Lee Ann Womack and Parker McCollum during their ACM Awards performance left fans wondering if this was a one-time moment or the beginning of something bigger. McCollum stayed tight-lipped before the show, telling Country Now that “I can’t say anything. Why would I do that? Because you wouldn’t have to watch.” The artist clearly understood the power of letting the moment surprise viewers when it aired.

Given the family ties between McCollum and the Womack household, and the public reception to their duet, fans are understandably speculating about future collaborations. The performance demonstrated that generational respect in country music remains as important as ever, and stars are willing to unite for moments that celebrate authenticity and tradition.

Sources

• American Songwriter – Coverage of Parker McCollum and Lee Ann Womack’s ACM Awards duet performance
• Country Now – Exclusive backstage interview with Parker McCollum about his album and full-circle Womack performance
• Academy of Country Music – Official ACM Awards coverage and real-time updates from May 17, 2026 ceremony