• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

Mickey Guyton makes history at 2020 ACM Awards with 'incredible' performance

2:12
Female leaders in country music industry talk earning CMA Awards nominations
John Shearer/acma2020/Getty Images
ByHayley FitzPatrick
September 17, 2020, 3:55 PM

Mickey Guyton made history at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards on Wednesday night.

The country star, 37, performed her hit, "What Are You Gonna Tell Her?" with Keith Urban on piano, making her the first Black female country artist to perform her own song at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

The historical moment, live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, was Guyton's solo ACM Award performance debut.

Related Articles

MORE: Women in country music weigh in on the importance of female representation

Mickey Guyton performs onstage during the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 16, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Many were taken by the emotional lyrics and the message behind Guyton's song, "What Are You Gonna Tell Her?"

Some of the lyrics include: "She thinks life is fair and / God hears every prayer / And everyone gets their ever after / She thinks love is love and if / You work hard, that's enough / Skin's just skin and it doesn't matter / And that her friend's older brother's gonna keep his hands to himself / And that somebody's gon' believe her when she tells."

"But what are you gonna tell her / When she's wrong," the lyrics continue. "Will you just shrug and say it's been that way all along / What are you gonna tell her / When she figures out / That all this time you built her up just so the world could let her down."

Guyton previously described the song as a "call to action" during an interview with CMT earlier this year.

Related Articles

MORE: Country star Mickey Guyton reveals she's pregnant with her 1st child

Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton perform onstage during the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 16, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

She said she wrote the song after a 15-year-old girl messaged her on social media asking for advice.

"She was like, 'I’m moving to Nashville I’m gonna go to Belmont and what do I have to look forward to as a country music singer?' I didn’t have anything to tell her," Guyton explained. "And that’s a big problem."

Editor’s Picks

CMA Awards 2020: Nominees weigh in on the importance of female representation

  • Sep 04, 2020

Country star Mickey Guyton reveals she's pregnant with her 1st child

  • Aug 25, 2020

CMA Awards 2020: Full list of nominations

  • Sep 01, 2020

"I wanted to write about it," she added. "I wrote the song about changing things so our daughters can be whomever they want to be."

Following Guyton's performance, she was praised on social media by viewers and fellow country music artists. Kelsea Ballerini wrote, "Wow. @MickeyGuyton that is a performance that will make people listen, think, and change. Me included. You are a force."

Trisha Yearwood described the performance as "beautiful." Tenille Townes said Guyton's debut was "incredible." Many attached the hashtag "#MickeyMakesHistory" to their comments praising the singer.

Editor’s Picks

CMA Awards 2020: Nominees weigh in on the importance of female representation

  • Sep 04, 2020

Country star Mickey Guyton reveals she's pregnant with her 1st child

  • Aug 25, 2020

CMA Awards 2020: Full list of nominations

  • Sep 01, 2020

Up Next in Culture—

Kim Kardashian graduates from law study program after 6 years

May 22, 2025

Alix Earle joins 'Dancing with the Stars' season 34

May 22, 2025

Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong on the power of ohana in 'Lilo & Stitch'

May 22, 2025

Lady Gaga wins Sports Emmy, now one award away from EGOT

May 21, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News