Plot Synopsis

Each year since 2002, CMT has celebrated the best country music videos of the year in a variety of categories at an awards ceremony with live music, celebrity presenters and a who's who list of stars in attendance. Starting as the FLAMEWORTHY AWARDS before changing its name to the CMT MUSIC AWARDS in 2005, this event uses fan votes to honor country music's top talent, including the following performers for Video of the Year: Taylor Swift ("Mine" in 2011; "Love Story" in 2009; "Our Song" in 2008); Carrie Underwood ("Cowboy Casanova" in 2010; "Before He Cheats" in 2007); Keith Urban ("Better Life" in 2006; "Days Go By" in 2005); Toby Keith ("Red Solo Cup" in 2012; "American Soldier" in 2004; "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" in 2003); and Kenny Chesney ("Young" in 2002).

In addition to Video of the Year, the 2013 CMT MUSIC AWARDS include these categories: Male Video of the Year; Female Video of the Year; Group Video of the Year; Duo of the Year; Breakthrough Video of the Year; Collaborative Video of the Year; CMT Performance of the Year; Best Web Video of the Year; and Director of the Year. Celebrating its 12th Anniversary in 2013, the CMT MUSIC AWARDS premieres live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 8pm ET (live)/8pm PT (tape delay) on CMT and CMT.com, with performances by Lenny Kravitz featuring Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line with Nelly, Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Pistol Annies and Taylor Swift.

Kristen Bell returned to host the CMT MUSIC AWARDS for the third consecutive year -- but her first time as a solo host -- when CMT aired the 2014 CMT MUSIC AWARDS on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 8pm ET (live)/PT (tape) from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, with performances by Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Brantley Gilbert, Dierks Bentley, Hunter Hayes, Jake Owen, Jennifer Nettles, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Lee Ann Womack and Little Big Town.

On Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 8pm ET (live)/PT (tape), CMT broadcast the 2015 CMT MUSIC AWARDS live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, with a simulcast on TV Land. Hosted by Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow, the event featured performances by Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Zac Brown Band.

The 2016 CMT AWARDS were broadcast live on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 8pm ET (live)/PT (tape) on CMT, with a simulcast on TV Land and Nickelodeon. Hosted by Erin Andrews and J.J. Watt, the event features performances by: Carrie Underwood, who performs her hit "Church Bells"; Pitbull who is joined by nominee Leona Lewis and CMT Music Award-winner Cassadee Pope; and many others, like Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett. Collaborations include: Blake Shelton and The Oak Ridge Boys; Billy Ray Cyrus and Cheap Trick; Dierks Bentley and Elle King; Fifth Harmony and Cam; Keith Urban with special guests Brett Eldredge and Maren Morris; and Little Big Town who is joined by Pharrell Williams to perform a new song off their upcoming album, WANDERLUST, which Williams also produced. Plus, a lineup of celebrities are scheduled to present: Billy Gardell, Chad Michael Murray, Bobby Bones, Cody Alan, Chris Janson, Kelsea Ballerini, Leona Lewis, Vince Vaughn and Rob Riggle, Danica Patrick, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, Cole Swindell, Dan+Shay, Kellie Pickler, Joey Lauren Adams and Madison Iseman.

CMT aired the 2017 CMT MUSIC AWARDS on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 8pm ET (live)/PT (tape), live from Nashville's Music City Center, with a simulcast on Nickelodeon, TV Land and Spike. Hosted by NASHVILLE star Charles Esten, this year's event featured performances by Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett. Collaborations include Jason Derulo and Luke Bryan, The Chainsmokers and Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood, Peter Frampton and Brothers Osborne, and Earth, Wind & Fire and Lady Antebellum.

The 2018 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, hosted by Little Big Town, premiered on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 8pm ET (live)/8pm PT (tape) on CMT live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, with a simulcast on TV Land and Paramount Network. Scheduled performers include Blake Shelton; Carrie Underwood; Chris Stapleton; Dan + Shay; Darius Rucker featuring Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Charles Kelley; Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne; Florida Georgia Line; Jason Aldean; Kelly Clarkson; Kelsea Ballerini; Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt. Breakthrough artists Carly Pearce, Devin Dawson, LANCO, Lindsay Ell, Russell Dickerson and Walker Hayes will perform on the Ram Trucks Side Stage. Plus, the following celebrities are scheduled to present: NASHVILLE's Kaitlin Doubleday, Lennon Stella & Maisy Stella; Backstreet Boys; Bobby Bones; Brett Young; Carly Pearce; Chrissy Metz; Cody Alan; Courtney Force; Dustin Lynch; Garrett Hedlund; Hoda Kotb; Joel McHale; Johnny Knoxville; Katie Cook; Lauren Alaina; Leon Bridges; Lindsey Vonn; Luke Combs; P.K. Subban; RaeLynn; Rascal Flatts; and Sugarland.

Hosted again by Little Big Town, the 2019 CMT MUSIC AWARDS airs live from Music City's Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 8pm ET (live)/8pm PT (tape) on CMT, with a simulcast on MTV, MTV2, Logo, TV Land, Paramount Network, and MTV Classic, featuring these performers: Toby Keith, singing "That's Country Bro,"; Toby Keith and Cole Swindell belting out one of Keith's hits; Carrie Underwood; Dan + Shay; Kane Brown; Kelsea Ballerini; Luke Bryan; Keith Urban; hosts Little Big Town; Luke Combs; Zac Brown Band; Brandi Carlile + Tanya Tucker; Brett Young + Boyz II Men; Thomas Rhett + Trombone Shorty; Sheryl Crow + Maren Morris; and more.

The 2020 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiered on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 from 8-10:30pm ET (live)/PT (tape) on CMT, with a simulcast on MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, Pop TV, and TV Land. Ashley McBryde, Kane Brown and Sarah Hyland co-host the event with performances at various outdoor locations around Nashville (instead of an arena stage in front of a live audience), because of the pandemic. Scheduled performers include Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Gabby Barrett, Jimmie Allen + Noah Cyrus, Kelsea Ballerini + Halsey, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs + Brooks & Dunn, Maren Morris, Morgan Wallen, Sam Hunt and Shania Twain. Breakout stars Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Ingrid Andress, Mickey Guyton, Riley Green and Travis Denning will make their debut at the Ram Trucks Side Stage. Plus, Brandi Carlile, Demi Lovato, Diplo, Idina Menzel, Jessica Chastain, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Rob Thomas, Tanya Tucker and Taylor Swift are scheduled to present awards.

Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown live from Nashville, the 2021 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiered on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 from 8-10:40pm ET (live)/PT (tape) on CMT, with a simulcast on MTV, MTV2, Paramount, TV Land and Logo. In addition to hosting, Ballerini and Brown each perform -- Ballerini alongside Paul Klein from LANY and Brown with fellow country star Chris Young. Other collaborations include BRELAND + Mickey Guyton, Brothers Osborne + Dierks Bentley, H.E.R. + Chris Stapleton, Ingrid Andress + JP Saxe, Lady A + Carly Pearce + Lindsay Ell, Lauren Alaina + Jon Pardi, Mickey Guyton + Gladys Knight, Miranda Lambert,Jack Ingram + Jon Randall and NEEDTOBREATHE + Carrie Underwood. Solo performances include Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett. Additionally, Blanco Brown, Dylan Scott, Hailey Whitters, Lainey Wilson, Niko Moon and Tenille Arts will perform as part of the Ram Trucks Side Stage.

Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini (remotely from home) and Kane Brown and Anthony Mackie (both on stage) live from Nashville's Municipal Auditorium, the 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiered on Monday, April 11, 2022 from 8-11pm ET (live)/PT (tape) on CBS and Paramount+. Performers include co-host Kelsea Ballerini, Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen, Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton + Black Pumas, Walker Hayes, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris + Ryan Hurd, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell + Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, plus the first televised performance in over two decades from legendary duo The Judds. Emerging artists Priscilla Block, BRELAND, Jessie James Decker, Parker McCollum, Elvie Shane and Caitlyn Smith will also perform from the Ram Trucks Side Stage.

Hosted by Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini, the 2023 CMT MUSIC AWARDS aired live from Austin, Texas' Moody Center on Sunday, April 2, 2023 from 8-11pm ET (live)/8-11pm PT (tape) on CBS. Performers include Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown + Katelyn Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, The Black Crowes + Darius Rucker, Tyler Hubbard, Wynonna + Ashley McBryde, Gwen Stefani, and more. Shania Twain is recognized with the third-ever CMT Equal Play Award.
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On Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 8-11pm ET (live)/PT (tape), CBS airs the 2024 CMT MUSIC AWARDS live from Austin, Texas' Moody Center. Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, the event features these performers: Bailey Zimmerman, Cody Johnson, Dasha, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town + Sugarland, Megan Moroney, NEEDTOBREATHE, Jordan Davis, Old Dominion, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum ft. Brittney Spencer, Sam Hunt and Trisha Yearwood; Yearwood will also receive the inaugural June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award ; All-Star Tribute to Toby Keith featuring Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, Lukas Nelson, Roger Clemens and Sammy Hagar.

Presenters include Amber Riley, Billy Bob Thornton, Carly Pearce, Cody Alan, Cody Johnson, Emily Osment, Emma Roberts, Gayle King, James Van Der Beek, Jane Seymour, Jelly Roll, Max Thieriot, Megan Moroney, Melissa Etheridge, Mickey Guyton, Minnie Driver, Montana Jordan, Parmalee and Paul Walter Hauser.

Nominations for the 2023 CMT MUSIC AWARDS were previously revealed, with Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney splitting the lead with three nominations each. Last year, Jelly Roll was the night's most-awarded artist (three wins); in 2022, Cody Johnson held the same title (two wins). Across all categories, CMT is recognizing 14 first-time nominees spanning breakthrough artists to out-of-genre superstars with Amber Riley, Ashley Cooke, Bret Michaels, Chayce Beckham, Hozier, Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., Tyler Childers, Warren Zeiders, Zach Bryan and four 2024 CMT Next Women of Country members Anne Wilson, Ella Langley, The Castellows and Tigirlily Gold (2x), who are all up for their first-ever awards.