CMT to release 3 specials leading up to CMT Music Awards, what to know, when to tune in

Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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Country Music Television has unveiled a trio of specials leading up to the CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 7, which will broadcast live from Austin, TX. The music specials will run Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6, featuring some of country's biggest performers.

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming musical broadcasts.

'CMT Storytellers: Little Big Town'

From left, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town walk the red carpet before the taping of the CMT Giants: Alabama special at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.
From left, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town walk the red carpet before the taping of the CMT Giants: Alabama special at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.

Country band Little Big Town will kick off the weekend of specials. The band, comprised of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook, is best known for hits "Boondocks" and "Girl Crush."

The special will include stories from the band's 25 years together and performances of the group's hits.

Viewers can tune in at 7 p.m. CST on Friday, April 5 on CMT to watch.

'CMT Hot 20: 2024 CMT Music Awards Preview'

Cody Alan, Carissa Culiner and Marley Sherwood are hosting a special that looks into what fans can expect at this year's CMT Music Awards. The special, broadcasted from the Moody Center in Austin, TX, will keep fans up to date with some of CMT's award nominees.

The show will include interviews with Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman, Jason Aldean and the upcoming CMT Music Awards Host, Kelsea Ballerini.

Kelsea Ballerini, walks the red carpet during Nashville's Big Grammy party at Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
Kelsea Ballerini, walks the red carpet during Nashville's Big Grammy party at Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.

The special may even include a sneak peak of some last minute rehearsals for the awards show.

On Saturday, April 6, tune in at 8 a.m. CST to watch.

'CMT Crossroads: Nickelback & HARDY'

Nickelback performs at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.
Nickelback performs at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

Rock band Nickelback is teaming up with country-rocker HARDY for a "CMT Crossroads" special. The two will share the stage, tell stories and sing together on each other's hits.

Fans can expect performances of Nickelback’s “Save Me” and “Animals” and HARDY’s “Truck Bed” and “Give Heaven Some Hell."

The runaway performance, though, will be a mash-up of both performers' “Rockstar” singles. Nickelback's 2005 classic and HARDY's 2024 new tune will meet for the first time.

On Saturday, April 6, tune in at 7 p.m. CST to CMT.

Hardy stands before being interviewed at Nissan Stadium in Nashville , Tenn., Friday, June 9, 2023.
Hardy stands before being interviewed at Nissan Stadium in Nashville , Tenn., Friday, June 9, 2023.

What to know about the CMT Music Awards

The CMT Music Awards will take place in Austin, TX on Sunday, April 7, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini live from the Moody Center on CBS.

Top nominees for the fan-voted awards include Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney, who split the lead with three nominations.

Voting is open for the nominations at vote.cmt.com.

More: Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, more lead 2024 CMT Music Awards nominees

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMT Awards: Specials feature Little Big Town, Nickelback and HARDY