Jelly Roll wins back-to-back trifectas and his first belt buckle for “Video of the Year”
One year since his first award-show win ever and celebrating the most wins of the night, Jelly Roll returns to the show and takes home top honors for “Video of the Year,” presented by Hilton. The ‘Trailer Park Tornado’ and 3x show winner also travels through the crowd and flames as he ventures “Halfway to Hell” during his show-closing performance. Watch here.
Late country great Toby Keith gets a star-studded “Red Solo Cup” salute
Riley Green, Lukas Nelson and Roger Clemens serve as presenters for tribute performances in an all-star salute to Toby Keith – Brooks & Dunn’s lasso “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” CMTMA first-timer Sammy Hagar rocks “I Love This Bar,” and Lainey Wilson brings a feminine touch to “How Do You Like Me Now” before all gather on stage for a final “Whiskey For My Men, Beer For My Horses” “Red Solo Cup” salute. CMT next opens the archives for a look back at the country music great’s many “CMT Music Awards” appearances over two decades on Thursday, April 11th (10:00 PM ET/PT). Watch here and here.
LBT + Sugarland breaks news of a new Fall tour and performs a world premiere collab
After breaking news of an upcoming tour together, Little Big Town, celebrating 25 years as a group, and fan-favorite duo Sugarland debuts a special world premiere collab with their take on Phil Collins’ “Take Me Home.” Watch here.
Melissa Etheridge + Kelsea Ballerini surprise with “Come To My Window”
Melissa Etheridge surprises Kelsea Ballerini during her rendition of “Come To My Window” sparking rumors of CMT CROSSROADS. Etheridge’s two-part docu series Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken” will premiere on Paramount+ later this year. Ballerini later sparkled with a sultry performance of “Love Me Like You Mean It” (reimagined version) surrounded by University of Texas at Austin students on campus. Watch here.
Trisha Yearwood “Put It in a Song” with world-premiere of her deeply personal new ballad
The “June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award” recipient Trisha Yearwood cooks up a world-premiere performance of her latest release, “Put It in a Song” – her first song as co-writer (with Jim Moose Brown and Next Women of Country Class of 2017’s Erin Enderlin). Watch here.
Keith Urban takes a “Straight Line” to a record number of CMT Music Awards performances
Keith Urban fires up the night – and marks the most ever CMT Awards performances by an artist – with a rousing world-premiere performance of his electrifying anthem “Straight Line,” featuring guest artists Maggie Baugh and Next Women of Country alumni Anna Vaus (Class of 2019). Watch here.
Lainey Wilson proves “Country’s Cool Again”
“Female Video of the Year” winner Lainey Wilson hit the CMT stage with a captivating journey through the tapestry of country living from its timeless roots through its vibrant contemporary spirit during the performance of her newest anthem “Country’s Cool Again.” Watch here.
Parker McCollum + Brittney Spencer set the night on fire with first-ever collaboration of “Burn It Down”
Brittney Spencer joins Parker McCollum for a smoldering performance of his fiery #1 song of the week “Burn It Down.” Watch here.
Jason Aldean reminds mamas to “Let Your Boys Be Country”
Jason Aldean returns to the CMTMAs for his 9th show performance with a heartfelt rendition of “Let Your Boys Be Country” for University of Texas at Austin students. Watch here.
Dasha makes first visit to the CMTMAs with homage to “Austin”
Dasha celebrates her first visit to “Austin” with an energizing award show debut performance of her viral hit song. Watch here.
Cody Johnson lets his hometown Lone Star pride shine with show-opener “That’s Texas”
Cody Johnson opens the show with a boot-stompin’ world-premiere performance of “That’s Texas” as big as his home state. Watch here.
Bailey Zimmerman celebrates his first-time CMTMAs performance with “Where It Ends”
Bailey Zimmerman goes outdoors to the University of Texas at Austin campus for a first-time performance of his current single “Where It Ends” in front of the lit up UT Tower. Watch here.
“No Caller ID” needed for Megan Moroney’s CMT main stage debut
Megan Moroney dials up emotion with her CMT main stage show debut and TV world premiere performance of her record-setting breakup song “No Caller ID” before her outdoor collab of “Can’t Break Up Now” with Old Dominion. Watch here.
Jordan Davis and NEEDTOBREATHE collaborate on first-ever mashup performance
First-time main stage performer Jordan Davis rises through the smoke with multi-platinum rock group NEEDTOBREATHE for their live mashup debut performance of “Brother” and “Next Thing You Know,” previewing their upcoming “CMT CROSSROADS” special, airing later this Spring. Watch here.