CMT Awards 2024: Everything to Know About Sunday's Show

The fan-voted award show will air live from The Moody Center in Austin, Texas on April 7

The biggest stars in country music will be stepping out this Sunday!

The 2024 CMT Music Awards are back on Sunday, April 7 for its 23rd iteration, with a star-studded list of nominees and performers.

This year's award show held at Austin, Texas' Moody Center is set to see Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson and many others take the stage for performances — while the legendary Trisha Yearwood receives a special honor.

Here's everything to know about the big night.

Related: Kelsea Ballerini on Hosting the 2024 CMT Awards Solo: 'It's Definitely New Grounds for Me' (Exclusive)

Who's hosting?

Kelsea Ballerini will be hosting this year's awards ceremony. The singer-songwriter, 30, isn't new to hosing the CMT Awards, but this will be her first time doing so solo.

The "Penthouse" opened up to PEOPLE about how MC-ing on her own feels like "new grounds."

She shared, "It's my fourth year hosting, so I feel like I've learned a lot. And the good thing about CMTs is there's such a light energy, so there's not a pressure that I feel to be perfect. I just want to be fun, honor the night and help people have a good time."

Ballerini also described the night feeling like "a big reunion" with her friends in the country music community and even teased she may have some surprises in store. "I might just ask for some help where I can get it," the "Half of My Hometown" singer noted.

Above all, the superstar said that she hopes she can capture how the event "feels like a summer party" to her. She said, "Everyone backstage is 'cheers'-ing each other and running into each other's dressing rooms. That's the energy that I want to bring on screen and into the room."

Who will perform?

Both country music icons and breakout artists will be taking to the stage at Austin's Moody Center.

In addition to her hosting duties, Ballerini will also be breaking out a song. She'll be joined by an impressive entertainment slate featuring Bailey Zimmerman, Brittney Spencer, Brooks & Dunn, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Megan Moroney, NEEDTOBREATHE, Old Dominion, Parker McCollum, Sam Hunt, Sammy Hagar, Sugarland and Trisha Yearwood.

A handful of the aforementioned stars are confirmed to team up for joint performances, including Davis with NEEDTOBREATHE, Little Big Town with Sugarland, McCollum with Spencer and Moroney with Old Dominion.

The night's tribute in honor of the late Toby Keith will feature Brooks & Dunn, Wilson and Hagar joining forces.

Related: Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini and Lainey Wilson Lead 2024 CMT Awards Nominations

Who's nominated?

Dozens of hitmakers and rising upstarts are being recognized for their visuals and music over the past year at the fan-voted event.

A number of musicians are tied for the most-nominated, including Johnson, Jelly Roll, Wilson, Moroney, and the show's host, Ballerini, as they are all up for three belt buckles.

Many artists also garnered their first-ever CMT Music Award nominations this year: Amber Riley, Ashley Cooke, Bret Michaels, Chayce Beckham, Hozier, Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., Tyler Childers, Warren Zeiders and Zach Bryan all received nods for the first time.

Other nominees include fan-favorite hitmakers like Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, HARDY, Kacey Musgraves, Reba McEntire and more.

The biggest trophy of the night is for video of the year, which originally saw 16 acts up for the coveted belt buckle. On April 1, that number was whittled down to the top six, based on fan votes, and the final three contenders will be announced the day of the show.

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

Who is being honored?

CMT is raising its glass to Trisha Yearwood. This year, the country icon will receive the first-ever June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award in celebration of the impact she's made in both country music and her community.

The all-new award is inspired by the late June Carter Cash, who dedicated much of her life to working with charities, such as SOS Children's Villages in Austria, in addition to her music career.

According to press release, Yearwood, 59, was chosen as the first artist to receive the honorary award because she "embodies the bold strength of June, who tirelessly devoted herself to service and community, and the namesake for this award."

In a statement, the award show's producers said the "She's In Love with the Boy" singer "has a unique ability to rally a community, whether that may be families in need with Habitat for Humanity, or uplifting her fellow artists and entertainers trying to carve a path in the industry."

They added, "Both multi-hyphenate trailblazers eloquently crafted a script for others to model, letting their hearts and authenticity guide their personal, professional and public lives."

To coincide with the honor, Yearwood will also deliver the debut performance of her new single "Put It in a Song."

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

Who is receiving a tribute performance?

The CMT Music Awards will be celebrating the life and career of Toby Keith, who died at age 62 from stomach cancer in February.

A tribute performance will be held in his honor, featuring Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson and Sammy Hagar. Their backing band will also feature members from Keith's longtime band, Lukas Nelson and Roger Clemens.

The performance comes nearly two months after the "Red Solo Cup" singer's death, following his 2021 diagnosis with stomach cancer. Not long after he died, the musician was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Keith was a longtime familiar favorite of the CMT Music Awards, having co-hosted the show in 2003 and 2012 and earning a whopping 30 total nominations, including seven wins.

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Where to watch?

The 2024 CMT Music Awards will air live from The Moody Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday, April 7 from 8:00 p.m. ET to 11:00 p.m. ET on CBS and be available to be streamed live or on-demand on Paramount+. A preshow will air from 7:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. on CMT.

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