Jason Aldean and Brittany Aldean honor Charlie Kirk with emotional duet at memorial

Jason Aldean and his wife Brittany Aldean paid tribute to Charlie Kirk with an emotional duet, posting a black-and-white video on Instagram of Luke Bryan’s Drink a Beer. The clip, shot at Kirk’s memorial service, shows Jason seated on a counter strumming a guitar while Brittany stands beside him, arms around each other. The caption read “For Charlie” with a red heart.

The memorial for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk drew a massive outpouring of mourners, with State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, hosting an estimated 100,000 attendees. Kirk, a conservative activist who led Turning Point USA, was killed Sept. 10 while speaking outside Utah Valley University. Aldean and his wife were among the attendees at the service in Arizona, and a photo of the couple from Kirk’s memorial was shown at the outset of the duet video.

Brittany Aldean later described the memorial on Instagram as overwhelmingly faith-based, noting that worship filled the room and that the gathering felt like a revival. “This man’s legacy that he has left, the impact that he’s had on so many people… I knew he had impacted a ton of people, but this feels different,” she wrote, adding that the crowd’s stories highlighted how Kirk’s work would be missed and how his influence would continue through Turning Point USA. She emphasized that those in attendance were moved by testimonies about Kirk’s character and impact, and she concluded with a resolve to live in a manner they attributed to his example.

On Sept. 11, Aldean spoke to fans during a Detroit, Michigan, concert and dedicated his remarks to Kirk. He told the crowd that Kirk was “one of the best people ever” and said he had met with him multiple times over the years. Aldean recalled the challenges that come with public disagreement and argued that Kirk’s murder underscored the need for accountability and civility in public life. He also referenced his 2023 single “Try That in a Small Town,” explaining that Kirk was among the first to see its message of backing one another and standing up for honest dialogue—even as the song drew backlash and was temporarily pulled from Country Music Television’s rotation.

The tribute at the Detroit show followed the broader public remembrance of Kirk, who led Turning Point USA and was revered by supporters as a defender of conservative youth activism. In addition to Aldean’s remarks, accounts of the Arizona memorial described speakers who reflected on Kirk’s purpose and personal impact. The service was described by attendees as a faith-forward gathering that underscored Kirk’s mission and the community he built around “the greatest good for the next generation.” Speakers reportedly included a range of political and public figures, underscoring Kirk’s role as a polarizing but influential figure in American political life.

Authorities identified the murder suspect in Kirk’s death as Tyler Robinson, 22. He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm and obstruction of justice, and a judge ordered him held without bail. Robinson was later charged with aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice for hiding the rifle and discarding clothing, two counts of witness tampering for allegedly directing a roommate to delete texts and remain silent, and one count of committing a violent offense in front of children. The court filings indicate investigators recovered the firearm and associated materials during the investigation.

The events surrounding Kirk’s death and the public response—through memorials, religious observances and high-profile tributes from musicians and political figures—have highlighted the intersection of culture and political activism in contemporary America. The Aldeans’ performance and public remarks reflected a broader narrative among Kirk’s supporters about faith, community and a call to live by the principles they associate with him. As authorities pursued the case and the public mourned, Kirk’s advocacy and his work with Turning Point USA continued to shape discussions about youth engagement and civic participation in the United States.

Images from the memorial and the Aldeans’ tribute circulated in the days that followed, capturing the emotional moment and the scale of the event. The scene at Kirk’s memorial, the Aldeans’ intertwined appearance on stage, and the broader community response contributed to a lasting impression of how music and public memory intersect in times of tragedy.