Olivia Rodrigo Performs Sheryl Crow’s ‘Strong Enough’ At BMI Troubadour Award Ceremony

Olivia Rodrigo closed out BMI’s 2026 Troubadour Award ceremony with a surprise performance of Sheryl Crow‘s “Strong Enough.” BMI presented Crow with the Troubadour Award during a private event in Nashville.

Jason Isbell opened the evening’s performances with Crow’s 1993 debut single “Run Baby Run,” followed by Melissa Etheridge‘s rendition of “If It Makes You Happy.” Eric Church put together an acoustic version of “Leaving Las Vegas,” Lauren Daigle covered “Everyday Is a Winding Road” and Chris Stapleton offered a take on “I Shall Believe.”

The Chicks, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, John Oates, and Jesse Welles recorded video messages to Crow that were shown throughout the ceremony. The evening’s house band consisted of Nashville musicians Nick Buda, Dan Dugmore, Jedd Hughes, Steve Mackey, Guthrie Trapp and Jimmy Wallace.

Crow joined previous Troubadour Award recipients John Fogerty, Billy F Gibbons, John Hiatt, Robert Earl Keen, John Prine, Lucinda Williams and John Oates. Crow received the award along with a Gibson J-45 guitar in recognition of her career.

Before she covered “Strong Enough,” Rodrigo spoke about her affection for Crow, telling the audience:

“I just firstly wanted to say what an honor it is to be here tonight to celebrate someone so incredible. Obviously, Sheryl is the most magnificent singer, songwriter, artist ever. But what inspires me the most about you is your heart, your kindness, and your generosity.

“I’m sure so many people in here have stories like this, but I was thinking about it on the way over: the first time I ever met Sheryl, we were playing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together. We were singing ‘If It Makes You Happy,’ and I was playing one of her guitars that her crew gave me, and I was like, ‘This guitar is awesome, I love it.’ And she goes, ‘Oh, do you want it?’ And I was like, ‘Sure. Oh my, I mean, I’m not going to take Sheryl Crow’s guitar.’

“And wouldn’t you know it, the next day I woke up and I got a package, and it was Sheryl Crow’s guitar. I think it’s my most prized possession to this day, and I write songs on it all the time. I just think that’s a real testament to what a great human being you are, and you inspire me so much. You’re such a hero of mine. So thank you for everything.

“This is my favorite song of yours. It’s a feeling that I felt so many times in my life but never really had the words to describe it, but you did so perfectly. So here it goes.”

BMI posted videos of Olivia Rodrigo performing “Strong Enough” and Melissa Etheridge’s “If It Makes You Happy.” Watch both tributes, as well as Crow’s acceptance speech, below: