Miranda Lambert is bringing something extra to the ACM Awards this Sunday, and it sounds incredibly cool. The country superstar confirmed she’ll perform “Crisco” live with a full string arrangement. It’s going to be the first time anyone has heard that version on a stage.
Lambert described the studio sessions on Instagram Friday. “It was magical to hear how much strings transformed ‘Crisco’ in the studio,” she wrote. And now she’s bringing that arrangement to the ACM Awards stage this Sunday.
That word – magical – says everything. Lambert doesn’t toss compliments around casually. She’s one of country music’s most consistent voices, with a seriously impressive ACM track record going back well over a decade.
“Crisco” is one of her newer tracks, and the studio version already has plenty going on. Adding strings clearly took the song somewhere unexpected. Lambert felt strongly enough about it to bring the whole arrangement to a live stage at one of the biggest nights in country music.
That’s a fun and bold move. Translating studio orchestration to a live award show stage takes real coordination. Musicians, sound cues, stage setup – it all has to come together perfectly. Lambert has been doing this long enough to nail that kind of challenge. She’s won ACM Album of the Year multiple times and has been a fixture at the ceremony for years. She knows exactly how to command a stage.
The video she attached to the post – shot by videographer Braylnn Kelly Smith – has a fun behind-the-scenes vibe. It gives a peek at the energy she’s putting into the performance. Fans will have to tune in Sunday to actually hear what the string arrangement sounds like.
And fans are pumped. Comments on the Instagram post filled up fast, with lots of people saying they’re already counting down to Sunday. A few pointed out that “Crisco” hits hard on its own. Adding a live string section sounds like an exciting upgrade either way.
This is the kind of performance decision that sticks with people. Strings can make a country song genuinely soar. They can also feel off. It depends on the song. Based on Lambert’s studio description, the arrangement sounds like it belongs in “Crisco” naturally – not added on as an afterthought.
The ACM Awards air Sunday, May 18. Lambert’s performance is already generating real excitement. Anyone who hasn’t heard “Crisco” with the full string arrangement will be getting their first listen Sunday night.
Miranda Lambert bringing strings to the ACM Awards stage for the very first time? Absolutely worth tuning in for.
