Shaboozey made his highly anticipated Saturday Night Live debut on December 7 during the Paul Mescal-hosted episode, performing his massive hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and his new ballad "Good News." The 29-year-old breakout country star brought his music to Studio 8H, further solidifying his rising status in the country music scene.
Introduced by Gladiator II star Paul Mescal, Shaboozey opened his performance with "Good News," the first single from his third album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going. The album, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 in May, marked a new chapter in his career. The song’s introspective lyrics—“I need some good news/ Sittin’ here, sippin’ on cold truth/ Nobody knows what I’m goin’ through/ Bet the devil wouldn’t walk in my shoes”—were complemented by soothing acoustic guitar, a touch of fiddle, and plenty of pedal steel.
Later in the show, Shaboozey returned to perform his chart-topping hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." Dressed in a shiny brown jacket and matching pants, he delivered the energetic track in a dimly lit, bar-like setting, surrounded by his backing band.
The SNL appearance is yet another milestone in Shaboozey’s whirlwind year. Just a week earlier, he performed at the halftime show of the Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears game at Ford Field, where he sang "Last of My Kind," "Highway," and "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." The country star also earned five Grammy nominations this year, including for Best Country Song and Song of the Year.
As Saturday Night Live celebrates its 50th anniversary season, Shaboozey's debut adds to the star-studded lineup. Next week, Gracie Abrams will perform on the Chris Rock-hosted episode, followed by Hozier’s return with Martin Short as host.
Watch Shaboozey’s SNL performances below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, where fans can also access past episodes of SNL.
