Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson and More to Perform in Tribute to Late Toby Keith at 2024 CMT Awards

The CMT Awards, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, will air live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday, April 7

Country music lost one of its legends earlier this year, so the CMT Awards will feature a tribute in his honor.

The 2024 CMT Music Awards are set to feature a tribute performance to celebrate the life and career of the late Toby Keith, who died of stomach cancer at age 62 earlier this year in February. The special performance was announced on Thursday, several days before Sunday's awards show, and it's set to feature an A-list slate of talent.

Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson and Sammy Hagar will be taking to the stage at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on April 7 to pay tribute to the late hitmaker. The set will be extra special, as it's set to feature backing band support from members of Keith's longtime band, Lukas Nelson and Roger Clemens.

Related: Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and More Country Stars Pay Tribute to Toby Keith After His Death: 'An American Icon'

Keith had long been a favorite of CMT and received a whopping 30 total CMT Award nominations over the course of his career. The "Should've Been a Cowboy" singer went on to win seven belt buckles and perform at the awards ceremony 13 times.

The singer-songwriter also co-hosted the event two times: in 2012 alongside Kristen Bell and in 2003 with Pamela Anderson. The first time he MC-ed the CMT Awards, Keith also ended up being the most-awarded artist of the night, winning the coveted video of the year trophy for his hit "Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)."

Following the 23rd annual CMT Awards, the network will also air a special dedicated to the "Red Solo Cup" artist. Titled CMT Music Awards Celebrate Toby Keith, the program will premiere on Thursday, April 11 at 10 p.m. ET and reflect on his most memorable moments from the awards show over the years.

Related: Toby Keith's Life in Photos

Keith died at age 62 in February, following his diagnosis with stomach cancer in 2021. At the time, his family shared news of his death on social media. "Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on Feb. 5 surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage," the statement read. "Please respect the privacy of his family at this time."

After news of the Grammy-nominated singer's death broke, many fellow country musicians paid tribute to him, including Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw and others.

In March, he was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame — the highest honor within the country music genre — due to his 32 No. 1 hit songs and influence on pop culture.

Related: Trisha Yearwood to Receive June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award at 2024 CMT Music Awards (Exclusive)

Keith's tribute will be among the star-studded slate of entertainment at this year's CMT Music Awards. A handful of other artists are set to take the stage, as well, including Bailey Zimmerman, Brittney Spencer, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Megan Moroney, NEEDTOBREATHE, Old Dominion, Parker McCollum, Sam Hunt and Trisha Yearwood.

The awards ceremony is set to be hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, who will also be performing herself.

A number of the performers are also this year's most-nominated artists: Ballerini, Johnson, Jelly Roll, Moroney and Wilson are all up for three belt buckles.

A handful of artists also received their first-ever nods, including Amber Riley, Ashley Cooke, Bret Michaels, Chayce Beckham, Hozier, Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., Tyler Childers, Warren Zeiders and Zach Bryan.

The 2024 CMT Music Awards will air live from Austin, Texas' Moody Center on Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

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