Luke Combs Offers High Class Version of Forever After All at ACMs

Luke Combs invited nearly 20 string players to join him for a orchestral performance of "Forever After All" at the 2021 ACM Awards on Sunday night (April 18).

The love song is fairly stripped down on his record, but it got a big boost for this CBS delivery. From the Ryman Auditorium stage, Combs played to empty pews, but had no trouble summoning the proper energy. In addition to his band, string players dressed in white were distanced across the front of the stage and on each side of him. A gentle skyscape backed him as her performed a song inspired by his wife, Nicole Hocking.

Combs was nominated in three categories at the 2021 ACMs, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. "Forever After All" is his new single from the What You See Is What You Get album, released in 2019. Every song the North Carolina native has released to date has hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

While Combs has slowed it down before — most notably during televised performances of "Better Together" — the country male typically performs in a ballcap with a red Solo cup in his hand. Without too much effort, he's proving to be a dynamic vocalist to a national audience.

The 2021 ACM Awards are live and will stream on Paramount+. Sign up for Paramount+ here.

2021 ACM Awards Show Photos:

The 2021 ACM Awards took place in Nashville on Sunday night (April 18). Luke Bryan was crowned Entertainer of the Year, while Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris were named Male and Female Artist of the Year, respectively.

The three-hour show was also packed with performances from Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Little Big Town and many more. Artists were at the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe, as well as on Lower Broadway, at the Station Inn and along the Nashville riverfront.

Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton co-hosted the show.

2021 ACM Red Carpet Pictures

The best dressed on the 2021 ACM Awards red carpet brought color — lots of color — for an awards show that promises to be a celebration. Photos show stars like Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Young, Kane Brown and more wearing the hottest and often most expensive designer outfits, or suits they designed themselves, in the case of Jimmie Allen.

Check out a full gallery of country music's hottest stars on the ACM Awards red carpet. Who do you think is best dressed and worst dressed?

The 2021 ACM Awards took place at the Bluebird Cafe, Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sunday (April 18).