LeAnn Rimes sang her heart out while paying tribute to the late Patsy Cline at the 2013 American Country Awards on Tuesday and even broke down in tears.

The 31-year-old, who wore a classic white gown, performed several of Cline's hits, including Leavin' On Your Mind and Walking After Midnight. Eddie Cibrian's wife then belted out an impeccable a capella version of Crazy and received a massive standing ovation. The accolades were so overwhelming that Rimes began to cry.

"I love you guys, thank you," she said.

After her performance, a teary-eyed Rimes also posed for a photo while holding a tissue.

The singer expressed her excitement to perform the tribute to Cline, the legendary country music singer whose career was cut short when she died in a plane crash in 1963, via Twitter.

"Just finished rehearsal for the #ACAs I'm so excited to honor my favorite woman. Feels like it's coming full circle after 20 years," she tweeted on Dec. 10.

Along with a photo of herself, Rimes also tweeted, "Gotta love a several thousand $ gown in a shower. Moments before I went on. Such a happy night!"

Country star Luke Bryan, who introduced the Can't Fight The Moonlight singer, also spoke highly of Cline as well as Rimes.

"The legendary Patsy Cline was only 30 years old, and still at the height of her career when she died tragically. But the songs that Patsy sang have never left our airwaves or our hearts," he said. "Tonight, we wanted to remember Patsy with the help of a beautiful woman, who began her remarkable career being called 'the next Patsy Cline.'"

Tags: LeAnn Rimes