Watch: Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, Bronwyn Keith-Haynes and More Pay Tribute to Tom Petty, Perform “American Girl” at CMA Awards

The 58th annual CMA Awards took place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 20. During the event, a trio of bluegrasses’ best and brightest, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes teamed up with country legend Derks Bentley to pay homage to the late Tom Petty, delivering the Florida rocker’s cult classic, “American Girl.” Watch below. 

The move came after Bentley lent his talent on the compilation tribute set Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, evoking a Southern-rooted sound out of the original “American Girl” composition for a new take on an old classic. The album, which tops out at 20 covers, also includes renditions of other Petty originals, covered by the likes of Willie Nelson, Margo Price, Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives, Mike Campbell, Steve Earle, Wynonna Judd, and others. 

As a touchstone during last night’s Country Music Association Awards, Bentley ceased the chance to offer the cover in a live setting alongside the trio mentioned above of leading ladies. The group was all smiles during the performance, with Bentley taking on the lyrical lead, Tuttle handling acoustic guitar, Hull on her signature mandolin, and Keith-Hynes taking care of fiddle duties. With the arrival of the song’s chorus, the gals lend support, emphasizing the Petty’s promise to “Make it last all night.” 

Scroll down to watch the whole performance.