Nashville's Mickey Guyton, Jason Isbell perform at the DNC. How to watch

Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean

On night one of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, some familiar Nashville faces hit the stage: singers Jason Isbell and Mickey Guyton.

Guyton, a Grammy-nominated country artist known for tunes "Nothing Compares To You" (feat. Kane Brown), "Home Movies" and "Somethin' Bout You," is an outspoken patriot and supporter of Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.

Americana singer Jason Isbell, who tours with his band The 400 Unit, is known for songs "Cover Me Up," "If We Were Vampires" and "Last Of My Kind." Isbell, an Alabama native, has been a long-time vocal democrat.

Isbell and Guyton — and James Taylor, too — took the stage on Monday evening to perform one song each.

More: Mickey Guyton, Jason Isbell set to perform at the DNC Monday. Here's what to know

Watch the Nashville stars' DNC performances below.

Jason Isbell performs 'Something More Than Free' at DNC

Jason Isbell performs during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.
Jason Isbell performs during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Isbell hit the stage in a dark purple-navy blue tux with a bow tie, standing in front of a screen that showed a barn painted with the American flag.

With his ever-familiar Southern twang, Isbell performed his 2015 song, “Something More Than Free,” a track off his Grammy-winning fifth studio album.

The song tells the story of a lonely man who works tirelessly at his physically grueling job, but amidst his exhaustion, is thankful he has the opportunity to do so.

Isbell sings, "I don't think on why I'm here, where it hurts / I'm just lucky to have the work / Sunday morning, I'm too tired to go to church / But I thank God for the work / I thank God for the work."

"Thank you," Isbell said after performing. "Shoutout to my Alabama delegation over there — I love y'all."

Mickey Guyton performs 'All American' at DNC

Mickey Guyton performs during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.
Mickey Guyton performs during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Guyton took the stage at the DNC to perform her 2021 song "All American."

In a white strapless dress with silver bedazzled flowers, Guyton hit the stage. She stood in front of a slideshow of images that showed some "all American" pictures, like trees in the fall, mountains and football players.

Guyton, backed by harmonizing back-up singers, delivered an energetic version of her patriotic song.

She sang, "With the night shift, smoke break, high school heartache / Driving with the windows down / With the dance floors, church pews, suit and ties, tattoos / One big small town...Ain't we all, ain't we all American?"

"No matter your race, your creed or your color, we're all American. And always remember that," Guyton said before closing out the song.

As she sang, DNC attendees shone their phone flashlights and swayed back and forth.

Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: DNC: Watch Nashville's Mickey Guyton, Jason Isbell perform

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