‘This Song Is Going to Save Lives,’ Lauren Alaina Says of Dan and Shay’s Emotional 2026 ACM Awards Performance
Her mental health message and the duo’s “Say So” performance hit viewers hard
Key Takeaways
- Lauren Alaina gave an emotional speech about mental health at the ACM Awards.
- Dan + Shay performed “Say So,” inspired by the loss of Ben Vaughn.
- Fans were moved by the song’s message about asking for help during dark times.
One of the most heart-wrenching moments of the 61st annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards was when Lauren Alaina introduced country music duo Dan + Shay. During her speech, she talked about tragedy, late music executiveBen Vaughn and how Dan + Shay’s song, “Say so” will help millions of people. Below, we share everything you need to know about the moment, the song and why it had viewers in tears.
What to know about Dan + Shay’s performance at the ACM Awards 2026
Toward the end of the ACM Awards, singer and songwriter Alaina took the stage to introduce Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney from Dan + Shay.
“Sometimes, lifting lives can mean saving lives. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an important time to say if you are secretly suffering, you are not alone,” Alaina said. “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 someone to listen and someone to help. Just please, please reach out.”
“Two friends of mine, Dan + Shay, whose powerful new song ‘Say So’ was inspired by a heartbreaking loss in our country music family,” she continued. “When I first heard it, [I knew] this song is going to save lives.”
According to Smyers and Mooney, the song was inspired by their close friend and mentor, Ben Vaughn, who tragically died by suicide in January 2025 at the age of 49.
“Ben Vaughn was not just a brilliant publishing executive,” Alaina said in her speech. “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.”
Dan + Shay talk about their song ‘Say So’
“Say So” was released in 2026. It was co-written by Smyers, Mooney, Jimmy Robbins and David Hodges.
“We were all feeling the heavy emotion in the room,” Smyers told Billboard. “It was just kind of cathartic to get to share those feelings and thoughts and emotions about Ben and share our mutual love for him. And it was like, ‘You know what? We owe it to Ben. We owe it to ourselves to at least see this one through to the finish line.’”
Robbins added to that, telling the outlet, “The whole song is pretty conversational. It’s not crazy clever or a turn of phrase or anything. It’s just kind of honest.”
“It was a heavy day, just having those conversations,” Robbins continued. “We left it feeling good.”
Dan + Shay sing that even when things look dark and dim, there is always someone out there to talk to.
The lyrics read, “I got a call from a friend who don’t call very often. Broke it to me and I couldn’t believe that we lost him. Really felt like it came out of nowhere. But it never really comes out of nowhere. It’s crazy the pain that we carry when nobody’s watching. If your light burns out and you’re in the dark. If you can’t pick up the pieces. If the world you trusted falls apart. If your heart’s run out of reasons. I’ll be there every time you call. Pick you up every time you fall. If you’re going through hell, you’re not alone. If you need somеbody, say so.”
“For those of us who are here, tomorrow is a brand new day,” Hodges told Billboard. “The same is true—I mean, I can’t help but think of how sad and desperate [Ben] felt in those last moments here, and how much light and joy filled his eyes the moment that he opened them on the other side.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
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