The CMT Music Awards are always full of great performances and surprises. Tonight’s (April 7) show was no exception. Melissa Etheridge joined host and nominee Kelsea Ballerini for a surprise performance of “Come to My Window.”
“As we all know, Luke Combs’ cover of ‘Fast Car’ was one of the biggest songs of the year. And you know what? It had me thinking. And I want in on some of that action. So, I was thinking of what huge throwback hit could be, like, my thing,” she said. “Then it came to me,” she added, before beginning an acapella rendition of “Come to My Window.” After she sang the chorus, Etheridge took the stage strumming her guitar and fully prepared to belt the 1993 classic.
Videos by American Songwriter
After the mindblowing performance, Etheridge may have hinted at big things to come. “We sounded good,” she said. “Maybe we should get our own Crossroads huh? What do you say?” Ballerini replied with “I like the way you’re thinking.”
CMT Crossroads pairs country singers with artists from other genres to share their biggest hits or most popular songs. If tonight’s performance of “Come to My Window” was any indication, Ballerini and Etheridge are ready to take that series by storm. The world will have to wait and hope that the network makes it happen.
Kelsea Ballerini and Melissa Etheridge Performed a Landmark Hit
“Come to My Window” was the second single from Etheridge’s 1993 album Yes I Am. It was a Top 40 hit and brought Etheridge a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. However, the song is more important than that in the history of American music. It was the first single she released after coming out as a lesbian.
Yes I Am was the album that propelled Etheridge to arena-level stardom, according to Songfacts. The album sold six million albums in the United States alone. “Come to My Window” and the album’s second single, “I’m the Only One” dominated the airwaves and VH1, helping to push album sales.
Shockingly, Etheridge almost left “Come to My Window” off of Yes I Am. After recording it, she found the song too simple. Thankfully, her friends convinced her that the track’s simplicity didn’t make it a bad song. As a result, she decided to include it.
Featured Image by Hubert Vestil/Getty Images
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
BEIJING – AUGUST 08: British singer Sarah Brightman and Chinese singer Liu Huan perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images) -
INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NOT TO BE LICENSED FOR ANY STANDALONE OR SPECIAL INTEREST BOOK PUBLISHING USE CONCERNING THE COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL AND/OR STAGECOACH MUSIC FESTIVAL) Wynonna Judd is seen at Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse during the 2026 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Stagecoach) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Producer Manuel Seal arrives at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 8, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 17: Kenny Chesney performs on NBC's "Today" Citi Concert Series at Rockefeller Plaza on September 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Valerie Terranova/Getty Images) -
19th May 1967: The Beatles (left to right) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison (1943 – 2001) and John Lennon (1940 – 1980) at a photocall for the launch of their new album 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', held at Brian Epstein's house at 24 Chapel Street, London. Lennon is wearing an afghan jacket and a sporran. (Photo by John Downing/Getty Images) -
TWIN LAKES, WISCONSIN – JULY 18: Dasha performs at Country Thunder Wisconsin at Shadow Hill Ranch on July 18, 2026 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. (Photo by Joshua Applegate/Getty Images) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 27: Charles Kelley performs at EXIT/IN on August 27, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) -
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 17: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Kacey Musgraves performs onstage during the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)