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Lauren Alaina spoke about the importance of mental health awareness during an emotional moment at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday evening (May 17).
Alaina pointed out that May is Mental Health Awareness Month as she spoke about ACM Lifting Lives, the Academy of Country Music’s philanthropic partner. She also introduced Dan + Shay to the stage to perform their powerful single, “Say So,” with a hopeful message about mental health awareness and encouraging others to support one another. The audience cheered to support Alaina when she began to cry on the MGM Grand Garden Arena stage in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Like too many of you out there, I know what it’s like to lose someone who struggled with their mental health. So, to anybody out there tonight suffering, please know there is always,” Alaina paused to take a moment to cry, “there is always someone to listen and someone to help. Please, please reach out.”
Alaina went on to share the story behind Dan + Shay’s moving ballad, which “was inspired by a heartbreaking loss in our country music family. Ben Vaughn was not just a brilliant publishing executive. he was also the kindest and most supportive friend to Dan + Shay, to me, and to so many people in this room whose careers and lives he made so much better. As I told Shay when I first heard it, this song is gonna save lives.” Vaughn died in January 2025. He was 49.
Dan + Shay earned a standing ovation when they took the stage with a powerful performance of “Say So,” which the duo’s Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney wrote with David Hodges and Jimmy Robbins. Smyers co-produced it with Scott Hendricks. “Say So” was the first track to release from Dan + Shay’s upcoming studio album, Young, followed by the title track. The album will arrive on August 21. Dan + Shay will kick off their headlining tour the following month, they announced on Monday morning (May 18).
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or is in emotional distress, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.