Post Malone’s New Year’s Eve Tribute to a ‘90s Country Legend Goes Viral
- - Post Malone’s New Year’s Eve Tribute to a ‘90s Country Legend Goes Viral
Deborah CruzJanuary 2, 2026 at 12:13 AM
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Post Malone rang in 2026 by paying homage to one of country music's most respected voices, and fans across generations couldn't get enough of it.
During Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve special, the rapper-turned-country artist took the stage wearing a cowboy hat and an eye-catching belt buckle to perform Vince Gill's 1994 hit "What the Cowgirls Do." The performance quickly gained traction online, with country music enthusiasts praising Malone's continued commitment to honoring the genre's heritage.
The evening featured a diverse lineup including Chappell Roan, 50 Cent, Ciara,Pitbull, Diana Ross and Mariah Carey. But Malone's decision to bring classic country into the mix offered something different for viewers celebrating the arrival of the new year.
Post Malone Continues Embracing Country Music's Legacy
Since releasing his country album "F-1 Trillion" in 2024, Malone has fully immersed himself in Nashville's music scene. He's shared stages with established stars like Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs and even the legendary, Dolly Parton, building credibility within a genre he clearly respects.
His choice to perform "What the Cowgirls Do" wasn't random. The song, written by Gill alongside Reed Nielsen, appeared on Gill's 1994 album "When Love Finds You" and climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. That same album produced other classics including "Go Rest High on That Mountain" and "You Better Think Twice."
Photo by Jeff Kravitz on Getty ImagesHas Post Malone Performed With Vince Gill Before?
This wasn't Malone's first time celebrating Gill's catalog. When Malone made his Grand Ole Opry debut, he invited both Gill and Brad Paisley to join him onstage. Together they performed another Gill classic, "One More Last Chance," which topped the Hot Country Songs chart following its 1993 release.
That collaboration showed Malone's genuine appreciation for the artists who built country music's foundation. Rather than simply adopting the genre's sound, he's actively learning from and partnering with its architects.
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The New Year's Eve performance came while Nashville hosted its own country-focused celebration, Big Bash, featuring Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman. Malone's appearance on the more mainstream Rockin' Eve broadcast brought traditional country sounds to millions who might not have tuned into the Nashville event.
For longtime Vince Gill fans, seeing a newer artist champion "What the Cowgirls Do" more than 30 years after its release offered a satisfying reminder of the song's enduring appeal. For Post Malone's followers, it demonstrated his willingness to dig deep into country's catalog rather than sticking only to contemporary hits.
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The performance reinforced what Malone has been showing throughout his country music journey: he's not treating this as a brief experiment but as a genuine exploration of a genre he values. By selecting a deep cut from a beloved artist's catalog, he proved he's done his homework and earned his place among country's current voices.
This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
