Jamey Johnson’s Tribute to Charlie Kirk with ‘Lead Me Home’

Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. The killing — which stunned political circles and prompted an outpouring of grief across the country — has also reverberated through the music community. At a recent stop in Hot Springs, Arkansas, country singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson paused his show to dedicate a quiet, mournful rendition of the gospel-tinged ballad “Lead Me Home” to Kirk, a moment captured in fan videos that have circulated online.

A Nation and a Scene in Mourning

News of Kirk’s death spread quickly, drawing reactions from political leaders and entertainers alike. Authorities described the attack as a targeted shooting, and a suspect has since been arrested and charged in connection with the killing. Across the United States, the tragedy has reignited difficult conversations about political violence, division, and security for public figures.

Within the country music community, many artists who knew Kirk personally or had followed his work offered tributes of their own. Jason Aldean, Lauren Alaina, Lee Greenwood, and Parker McCollum were among those who expressed heartbreak and extended condolences to Kirk’s family. Aldean wrote that Kirk was “one of the kindest, smartest, and bravest people” he had ever met.

Jamey Johnson’s Understated Tribute

In Arkansas, Jamey Johnson — known for his rich baritone voice and deep catalog of songs that blend outlaw grit with spiritual themes — chose to honor Kirk in the best way he knew: through song. Before beginning “Lead Me Home,” Johnson told the audience, “This is for our friend Charlie.” What followed was a stripped-down performance that hushed the crowd and brought many to tears.

Released in 2006 on Johnson’s debut album The Dollar, “Lead Me Home” is a gospel ballad that contemplates death not with fear, but with hope. Lyrics such as “I am standing on the mountain, I can hear the angels’ songs / I am reaching over Jordan, take my hand, Lord, lead me home” remind listeners that death, though sorrowful, can also be viewed as a homecoming to peace and eternal rest.

For Johnson’s audience that night, those words carried new weight. In honoring Charlie Kirk, Johnson gave voice to a collective grief while offering comfort in the form of faith and music.

How the Country Community Responds

The tribute was just one of many musical gestures that followed Kirk’s death. Across stages big and small, artists dedicated songs, led prayers, and observed moments of silence. Flags were lowered to half-staff, prayer vigils were organized, and even major sporting events held pauses in recognition of the tragedy.

What has stood out in these responses is the effort to focus not on politics, but on humanity. For many artists, it wasn’t about where Kirk stood ideologically but about remembering him as a husband, father, and friend. He leaves behind his wife, Erika, a three-year-old daughter, and a one-year-old son — a young family now grieving an unimaginable loss.

The Power of Social Video

Clips of Johnson’s Arkansas performance have spread rapidly on social media platforms. Shared by concertgoers, these videos brought the tribute to audiences far beyond Hot Springs. They capture not only Johnson’s delivery but also the audience’s stillness, the sound of sniffles in the crowd, and the collective weight of mourning in the room.

These fan-shared moments highlight how music can become a tool for processing grief. The performance didn’t need elaborate staging or production — its power lay in its simplicity and sincerity.

A Sober Reminder

Charlie Kirk’s death has left a void not only in the political world but in communities that valued his work, his friendship, and his message to America’s youth. The shooting is being investigated, with prosecutors pursuing charges against the alleged gunman, while the public continues to grapple with what the tragedy says about division in the country.

Amid that turmoil, Jamey Johnson’s dedication stands as a reminder of music’s role in healing. “Lead Me Home” framed the loss not in anger but in faith, pointing to the solace of a spiritual homecoming. For those who attended the show — and for those who later watched the clips online — the performance offered a moment of quiet reflection in a week of chaos and heartbreak.