Country music stars prepare for an 'action-packed' CMT Awards show at Austin's Moody Center

Two days ahead of the CMT Awards, country music stars were finalizing their sound checks at the Moody Center on a set that depicts a deconstructed version of the Congress Avenue bat bridge. It's been a big week for the University of Texas. On Wednesday, Kelsea Ballerini, Bailey Zimmerman, Old Dominion and Megan Moroney gave a CMT Awards sneak peak performance at the tower to an audience of UT students and locals. A second campus performance, a taping of CMTs longest running television show "Crossroads," featuring Jordan Davis and NEEDTOBREATHE, took place Friday evening.

The artists taking the Moody Center stage Sunday night include Trisha Yearwood, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt, Cody Johnson, Sugarland, Jason Aldean and Megan Moroney.

“I have four outfits,” said Moroney who has two performances, an award presentation and her red-carpet appearance. “It’s going to be a fashion show.”

She has various hairstyles planned to complement each outfit. Moroney will sing a duet with Old Dominion, “Can't Break Up Now,” and perform her song, “No Caller ID.”

“Let's give 'No Caller ID' her moment,” Moroney said. “I’ll have my sparkly guitar.”

Kelsea Ballerini returns to Austin to host the three-hour event that airs on CBS and Paramount+ from 7 to 10 p.m. CST. She'll also perform her recently reimagined version of “Love Me Like You Mean It.”

"I was really excited to be back this year," Ballerini, who hosted the event last year, said.

Making her arena debut is a name to note: Dasha. The 24-year-old country star's song "Austin" — a track that throws casual shade at the Texas capital's slacker vibe — blew up on TikTok, racking up six billion views and earning her a slot to perform.

"I'm speechless," she said in her jean vest and bedazzled diamond belt. “I finally feel like I’m over the fence. I've been waiting so long to get over this fence. And finally, we're here, and so many doors are opening, and so many people have their arms wide open to support, and it feels so good, and I'm so grateful."

Dasha’s 2024 is a milestone year. “Austin” breached the Billboard Hot 100 chart, landed her a contract with Warner Records and launched a tour with Parker McCollum.

“When I found out I was playing the CMT Awards, I started running on the treadmill and singing as much as possible,” she said. “I feel like I have a lot to prove to the country community, being the newbie, and I really want to blow them out of the water.”

One performer who blew audiences out of the water last year is Jelly Roll. The Nashville rapper, whose pivot to gospel country made him a superstar, can’t wait to get back on the stage.

“It’s going to be action-packed,“ Jelly Roll said of his performance. “It’s going to be a lot of movement. I’m going to touch every corner of the stage.”

When it comes to the most nominations, the “Need A Favor” singer is in a five-way tie with Ballerini, Wilson, Moroney and Johnson. He feels blessed to be in the same categories with some of country’s top talent.

“I’m sitting next to Cody Johnson who is one of my closest friends in the world,” Jelly Roll said. “We’re gonna be shooting tequila and laughing.”

On Friday evening, UT's main plaza was buzzing with excitement as students and locals gathered for the "Crossroads" taping.

"It's honestly so incredible," said UT Austin sophomore Coco Kennedy. "This never happens anywhere else, and we, as students, get to experience it for free and it's an incredible experience we get to take with us forever."

"Austin's truly living up to its name," said Logan Dubel, a sophomore at UT who is also a student journalist at Texas Student Television. "To be able to not only see these artists but interview all these fans who are having a blast in the live music capital of the world...

"It's just an incredible experience for us, as students, to get to have."

UPDATE: This story has been updated to correct a misspelled name of one of the UT student journalists.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Country stars talk music, fashion and viral hits ahead of CMT Awards