Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell joined forces to pay tribute to country legend Eddie Rabbitt at the 2016 ACM Honors event. The televised show airs Friday night (Sept. 9).

Bryan kicks off the country-rock tune “I Love a Rainy Night,” which Rabbitt released in 1980, smiling as he delivers a song he clearly admires. Soon, Swindell joins in, also letting his enthusiasm for the song show through as he performs the next verse.

The ACM Honors ceremony itself took place Aug. 30 in Nashville, but this year is the first time it will be broadcasted on TV afterward. The event brings together some of the biggest names in country to pay tribute to artists, songwriters and other industry greats that weren’t recognized on-air at the main 2016 ACM Awards earlier this year, in addition to some special honorees.

The ACM Honors added a new title this year — the Merle Haggard Spirit Award — and its inaugural recipient was Miranda Lambert. The award is designed to recognize an artist who exemplifies Haggard’s integrity and steadfastness throughout his career, and that tenacity is something Lambert certainly embodies.

The ceremony was hosted by Lady Antebellum, and the broadcast included performances by Blake Shelton, Alicia Keys, Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Jason Aldean, Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood and more.

Go Behind the Scenes at ACM Honors!

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