Ed Sheeran made his debut at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards with welcome arms.
On Thursday night, May 11, the UK native took the stage at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas to perform his new song "Life Goes On" off his new album - (Subtract). Sheeran a blue jean jacket as he crooned the slow jam. After he introduced the pop star, Luke Combs decided to join Sheeran for a rare rendition of his new song. It's not the first time they've collaborated, though. The duo first joined forces on stage when Sheeran appeared at Combs' show in London last year.
Sheeran's appearance at the annual awards show occurred just a week after he was found not liable in an over-publicized copyright infringement lawsuit surrounding his smash hit "Thinking Out Loud" and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." The heirs of the latter song's late co-writer Ed Townsend sued the singer for allegedly swiping the rhythm, chords and other aspects of Gaye's 1973 classic for his 2014 song.
Sheeran maintained his innocence throughout the trial and asserted his song was made solely with his co-writer Amy Wadge. At one point during the trial, Sheeran brought his guitar to court and played the 2014 song as well as the mash-up version of his song with "Let's Get It On" to prove how common the contested four-chord progression was in his song.
"I'm obviously very happy with the outcome of the case. And it looks like I'm not having to retire from my day job after all," Sheeran told reporters after the verdict was announced. "But at the same time, I'm unbelievably frustrated that baseless claims like this are allowed to go to court at all."