Brandi Carlile and Brandy Clark Perform Moving Duet of 'Dear Insecurity' at the 2023 Americana Honors (Exclusive)

Brandy Clark and Brandi Carlile teamed up to honor Americana music. 

The singer-songwriters were among the stacked lineup in September at the Americana Music Association's 22nd annual Americana Honors, which celebrates roots music and both beloved purveyors and rising stars within the genre. Ahead of the release of a televised version of the event, presented as a special installment of Austin City Limits on Saturday at 8 p.m. on PBS, PEOPLE is exclusively premiering the two stars' joint performance.

Clark, 48, and Carlile, 42 took the stage at the event held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium to sing their latest collaboration, “Dear Insecurity.” Joined by a pianist, percussionist and the violinist and cellist sibling duo SistaStrings — who were awarded instrumentalists of the year — they played a lush, heartfelt rendition of the song off Clark’s recent, self-titled album. 

After the string duo and pianist set up the somber, reflective tone of the track, the “Right on Time” singer crooned the first verse. The “Who You Thought I Was” artist then chimed in on the second, and they harmonized on the chorus — looking at each other as they relayed the introspective lyrics about learning to love one’s imperfections.  

It felt as if the folk artists’ performance was full of warmth, as they sang with confidence to each other and out to the audience of the universal experience of feeling self-doubt at times. 

“Maybe you could try a little kindness / Instead of hurtin' me / Why you hurtin' me, insecurity?” the hitmakers repeat throughout. 

The release of Clark and Carlile’s “Dear Insecurity” performance at the Americana Music Association event and awards ceremony comes shortly after the song received two Grammy nominations. The track received nods in the best Americana performance and best American roots song categories, while the album it appears on, Brandy Clark, is up for best Americana album. 

The member of The Highwomen produced her friend and collaborator’s fourth studio album, which dropped in May of this year, but only sings on “Dear Insecurity.” It’s not the first time they’ve sung together, though: In 2020, the two joined forces on “Same Devil” off the country music star’s project Your Life Is a Record. 

The singers are joined by an exciting roster of country, folk and roots talent at the Americana Honors. Other performers include Allison Russell, The Avett Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Margo Price, Noah Kahan, The War and Treaty and others — many of whom are being recognized at the event.

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Stars like Kacey Musgraves and Lyle Lovett are also set to make an appearance. 

The full, pre-recorded special airs on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on PBS and will become available to stream on pbs.org/austincitylimit on Sunday.