Ruston Kelly Invites Chris Carrabba Onstage for ‘Mercury’ in Nashville [WATCH]
Ruston Kelly celebrated returning home to Nashville after a long stretch on the road with a hometown show at the Basement East on Saturday evening (Feb. 2). To make the night even more special, the singer invited Dashboard Confessional singer Chris Carrabba to the stage to join him in a performance of "Mercury," off Kelly's Dying Star.
Kelly was in a celebratory mood on Saturday evening, even making up an impromptu mini-song earlier in his set about how good it was to be home. Things only got more festive once Carrabba hit the stage. After finishing the duet, both musicians expressed thanks and admiration for the other's craft. Press play above to watch video of the performance.
Prior to the show, Carrabba posted a Tweet to share his fandom for Kelly's music. "Man, one of my favorite singers, Ruston Kelly, has asked me to join him for a song at his hometown show ... tomorrow night. Can not wait!" he wrote.
The excitement was clearly mutual. In 2017, Kelly attended a Dashboard Confessional show at the Basement East -- the same venue where he duetted with Carrabba onstage on Saturday -- with his wife, fellow country star Kacey Musgraves, as well as Paramore's Hayley Williams. There, the three performers proudly fangirled out about their love for the group, singing along to all of Dashboard Confessional's classic rock-emo hits.
While he may perform under the country and Americana umbrellas, Kelly claims a fair bit of musical commonality with Dashboard Confessional. He has even made shirts that read "Dirt Emo" because, according to the singer, "That is officially my genre."
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