Entertainment Music Country Jo Dee Messina and Cole Swindell Perform Surprise 'Heads Carolina' Mashup at 2022 CMA Awards Earlier this week, the pair released a duet remix of Swindell's "She Had Me at Heads Carolina," which heavily references Messina's 1996 hit "Heads Carolina, Tails California" By Jack Irvin Jack Irvin Jack Irvin has over five years of experience working in digital journalism, and he’s worked at PEOPLE since 2022. Jack started in the industry with internships at Rolling Stone and Entertainment Tonight, and he worked as a freelance writer for publications including Bustle, MTV News, Shondaland, L’Officiel USA, Ladygunn, Flood and PopCrush before joining PEOPLE. In his current role, Jack covers daily music news and has interviewed both up-and-coming and established artists including Dolly Parton, Michelle Branch, Ashanti, Cyndi Lauper, Normani, Carly Rae Jepsen and Coco Jones. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 9, 2022 09:18PM EST Jo Dee Messina has given Cole Swindell's "She Had Me at Heads Carolina" her stamp of approval! At the 2022 Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, the pair joined forces to deliver the surprise live debut of a brand-new remix of Swindell's hit single "She Had Me at Heads Carolina" — which heavily references Messina's 1996 debut single "Heads Carolina, Tails California." Swindell, 39, began the performance on his own alongside a band, donning a gray fringe jacket as he sang the song, which was released earlier this year and has since charted at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the musician's highest entry to date. Cole Swindell and Jo Dee Messina. ABC Messina, 52, then joined him onstage to perform an energetic verse and chorus of "Heads Carolina, Tails California" alongside him — two days after they released a remix that mashes up both songs. For more on the 2022 CMA Awards, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. "Did y'all really think we were gonna leave you hanging without releasing a version of this song w/ @jodeemessina?!? Such a full circle moment for this here 90's Country fan," wrote Swindell in an Instagram post on Monday upon the remix's release. "The 'She Had Me At Heads Carolina' Remix is OUT NOW!" Check out PEOPLE's full CMAs coverage to get the latest news on country music's biggest night The solo version of "She Had Me at Heads Carolina" was released on Swindell's fourth studio album Stereotype in April, and it's since topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart and been certified gold by the RIAA. Messina's "Heads Carolina, Tails California" was released as the first single from the musician's self-titled debut album in 1996. The song went on to chart at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and become certified platinum by the RIAA. Cole Swindell Can 'Finally Check All the Boxes' with New Music and New Love: 'A Lot to Be Thankful For' Swindell received two nominations at the 2022 CMAs: musical event of the year and music video of the year, both for his "Never Say Never" duet with Lainey Wilson. The 2022 CMAs are airing live Wednesday night from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.