NASHVILLE, Ga. — Georgia-raised country singer Kane Brown honored his longtime drummer who was killed in a car crash last weekemd while accepting an award at the CMT Artists of the Year Ceremony Wednesday night.
Kenny Dixon, from Dalton, Georgia, was killed in a single-car accident Saturday in Tennessee, just one month before he was set to marry his fiancee and mother of his child. He was 27.
Choking back tears, Brown accepted the award and dedicated it to Dixon.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Man hides in Costco store overnight, steals nearly $14K worth of jewelry
- Great white shark bitten by even bigger sharks in Atlantic Ocean, officials say
- Which schools in metro Atlanta have the best teachers? New rankings released
"I want to dedicate this to my drummer Kenny," Brown said. "He was with me the whole time. He was so supportive of me. I love you, man. I miss you. The band misses you."
Brown said Dixon started playing with him after they connected through a Facebook post in Chattanooga and had been playing together ever since.
Kane Brown Acceptance Speech | 2019 CMT Artists of the YearKane Brown dedicated his award to his drummer Kenny Dixon. Rest in Peace Kenny. The country community will remember you. 🙏
Posted by CMT on Wednesday, October 16, 2019
The emotional tributes didn't stop there. Georgia's Thomas Rhett also asked the audience if he could lead them in prayer.
"Kane's speech man, I just want to lift up Kane and his family, and I want to lift up his drummer and their family," Rhett said. "I don't know if this is very conventional, but can I just pray?"
County legend Reba McIntyre praised Rhett for his prayer later in the show as she accepted her award.
Thomas Rhett Acceptance Speech | 2019 CMT Artists of the YearThomas Rhett had a very heartfelt speech that touched us all at this year's CMT Artists of the Year ❤️
Posted by CMT on Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Nashville artist Chris Young also performed his song "Drowning" in Dixon's honor after presenting Brown with his award.
"Understandably, a lot of us can't even imagine what he's going through, but right now he felt it was really important to be here tonight,'' Young said.
Chris Young Performs 'Drowning' | 2019 CMT Artists of the YearChris Young performed his song 'Drowning' in honor of Kane Brown's drummer Kenny Dixon ❤️
Posted by CMT on Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Dixon was set to wed Sarah Hedrick in Dalton on Nov. 30. They were parents to a son, Levi.
"I'm at a loss of words. I don't even know how to write this or ever thought I would have to. Kenny passed away last night in a car accident. I know I have to be strong for Levi and God is gonna pull us through this. We have a forever guardian angel watching above us now. Please keep Levi, my family, and Kenny's family in your prayers," she wrote.
Cox Media Group
