Few music videos capture the heart and history of a genre quite like “Forever Country”. Released in 2016 to celebrate the 50th Annual CMA Awards, this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration brought together 30 country artists, spanning generations, in a breathtaking mashup of three timeless classics.
With a lineup of both legendary and contemporary artists, the song was a testament to country music’s enduring spirit. Produced by Shane McAnally and directed by Grammy winner Joseph Kahn, “Forever Country” was more than just a song—it was a tribute to the past, present, and future of country music.
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A Star-Studded Celebration of Country Music
The video featured Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, George Strait, Charley Pride, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Alabama, and Ronnie Milsap, alongside modern stars like Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, and Kacey Musgraves.
One of the most touching moments was the appearance of Randy Travis, who suffered a debilitating stroke in 2013. Though unable to sing, his presence was a powerful reminder of his contributions to country music.
Bringing together so many stars in a single song required careful planning to ensure each voice and face had its moment to shine.
A Visual Journey Through Country’s Heartland
Filming took place over three days in Nashville during the CMA Music Festival in June 2016. Artists were filmed individually on a green screen, allowing the final video to seamlessly blend them into a stunning visual journey through iconic country landscapes.
The video features a mix of fields, back roads, railroad tracks, Nashville’s Lower Broadway, and the Ryman Auditorium, with additional footage of Willie Nelson beneath the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing country music’s worldwide reach. The Oregon-based Straw to Gold production team captured additional landscape footage, adding cinematic depth to the tribute.
The Songs That Made the Mashup Legendary
The brilliance of “Forever Country” lies not just in its star power, but in the choice of three iconic songs.
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver (1971)
John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads became an anthem for anyone longing for home. Its vivid imagery of West Virginia’s mountains made it a defining country classic. In “Forever Country”, Brad Paisley—a West Virginia native—was chosen to open the song, setting a nostalgic tone.
“On the Road Again” – Willie Nelson (1980)
Written and recorded by Willie Nelson, On the Road Again became an anthem for musicians and wanderers alike. First appearing on the soundtrack for the 1980 film Honeysuckle Rose, it won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 1981. Nelson’s unmistakable voice in “Forever Country” brings warmth and authenticity to the track.
“I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton (1973)
Originally written by Dolly Parton in 1973 as a farewell to Porter Wagoner, I Will Always Love You is one of country music’s greatest ballads. In “Forever Country”, Carrie Underwood was chosen to deliver the song’s emotional peak, honoring Parton’s legacy.
Behind the Music: How ‘Forever Country’ Came Together
Producer Shane McAnally carefully arranged the medley to highlight each artist’s strengths.
Brad Paisley opened the track with “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill filmed their parts together, capturing their real-life chemistry. Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan ended up side by side due to an unplanned harmony that worked perfectly in the final mix.
McAnally later reflected, “All the people involved are people that we love and that we loved 10 years ago, 20 years ago, and today.”
Trisha Yearwood added, “There’s every era of country music in this song and in the video. I’m just trying not to be giddy the whole time. I’m supposed to be emoting, but really, I’m just thinking, ‘This is so cool!'”
Award-Winning Legacy
The impact of “Forever Country” was immediate. The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, a rare feat for a tribute single.
Even the Academy of Country Music (ACM), typically a rival of the CMA, honored “Forever Country” with the Video of the Year Award at the 2017 ACM Awards.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment in Country Music
Country music has always been about storytelling, tradition, and passing the torch. “Forever Country” captured all of that in just a few minutes—paying homage to the legends who built the genre while celebrating the artists who continue to shape its future.
For fans, it remains a goosebump-inducing masterpiece, a rare moment when past, present, and future came together in perfect harmony.
If you haven’t seen “Forever Country,” you’re missing out on one of country music’s greatest tributes. Watch the full video below and experience the magic.
