Country Music Television gets April started off with the annual CMT Awards in Austin, Texas. This marks the first time that the awards have been in Texas.
Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown are hosting the gala event for the third time.
The CMT Award winners are chosen not by music industry executives and experts; but by the music listening public.
Though titled the Country Music Television Awards, the awards ceremony will feature music and artists from a variety of musical genres including rock, pop, and Blues.
The show is being dedicated to victims, witnesses, first responders, and all who have been affected by the all too many mass shootings over the past several years.
Blake Shelton gets the night of music started off with a performance.
Tyler Hubbard performs from the stage at the state capitol.
Paying tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn, Gary Clark Jr gave a performance of “The House is a Rockin’”.
On the Ram Truck stage Lily Rose gave a performance as one of six breakout artists to appear tonight.
The first award of the night is for Best Collaborative Video of the Year and went to Hardy and Laney Wilson for “Wait in the Truck”.
Carly Pearce takes the stage for a performance of her hit song, “What He Didn’t Do”.
The award for Female Breakthrough Video of the Year went to Megan Maroney for “Tennessee Orange”.
The award for Male Breakthrough Video of the Year went to Jelly Roll for “Son of a Sinner”.
Wynonna Judd and Ashley McBryde perform the Foreigner hit “I Wanna Know What Love Is”.
Megan thee Stallion presents the Equal Play Award to Shania Twain. The Equal Play Award is presented to the person who fights for diversity and the breaking of barriers. Shania revealed that her very first award 30 years ago was the CMT Rising Star Award and vows to continue fighting for diversity and equality in music.
Cody Johnson takes the stage for a performance of his newest hit “Human”.
Keith Urban gives a performance on the State Capitol stage.
The Zac Brown Band won the award for Duo or Group Video of the Year Award.
Nate Smith performs “Whiskey on You” on the Ram Truck stage.
Laney Wilson performs her number one single “Heart Like a Truck”.
Jackson Dean takes the Ram Truck stage for a performance.
Carly Pearce joins Gwen Stefani for a performance of “Just a Girl”.
Shania Twain presents the award for Female Video of the Year to Laney Wilson for “Heart Like a Truck”. Wilson reveals that the song and video was written, performed, directed, and produced by women.
Jelly Roll takes the stage for a performance.
The award for Performance of the Year goes to Cody Johnson’s “2022 CMT Awards” performance of “TIl You Can’t”.
Co-host Kelsea Ballerini takes the stage for a performance.
Co-host Kane Brown takes the stage at the state capitol with his wife Katelyn for a performance of “Thank God”.
Avery Anna performs on the Ram Truck stage.
The winningest CMT Award winner Carrie Underwood introduced The Black Crows and Darius Rucker for a performance of “She Talks to Angels”.
The award for Male Video of the Year goes to Jelly Roll for “Son of a Sinner”.
Honouring the 10th year anniversary of Women of Country, Alanis Morissette is joined by Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson, Madeline Edwards and Morgan Wade for a performance of “You Oughtta Know”.
Megan Maroney performs her award winning song “Tennessee Orange” on the Ram Truck stage.
Country music icon Carrie Underwood takes the stage for a performance to rousing cheers from the audience.
Chapel Heart take the stage for the final performance on the Ram Truck stage.
Darius Rucker presents the award for Video of the Year to Kane and Katelyn Brown for their song “Thank God”.
Peter Frampton honours Gary Rossington – a founding member of Lynrd Skynrd. Rossington died recently. Members of ZZ Top, Bad Company, Guns ‘N’ Roses – Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Paul Rodgers, Slash, Warren Haynes, Cody Johnson, LeAnn Rimes, and Wynonna Judd join up for a performance of “Simple Man” and “Sweet Home Alabama”.
Feature photo credit: CMT 2017 logo.png