The Best Moments From the 2023 CMT Music Awards

It was a lot of country—and a little bit of rock n' roll.

The 2023 CMT Music Awards brought serious statements, powerful performances, genre crossovers, and a whole lot of fun. Look back at the best moments here, including moving speeches, killer performances and more!

Related: See Every 2023 CMT Music Awards Winner

2023 CMT Music Awards Best Moments

1. Kelsea Ballerini Calls for Change

CMT Awards host, performer and nominee Kelsea Ballerini made a powerful statement urging for an end to gun violence. It was somber, heartbreaking, heartfelt, and, tragically, evergreen and sorely needed.

2. Wynonna Judd Honoring Her Late Mother Naomi

One of the most moving moments of the night came when Ashley McBryde teamed up with Wynonna Judd for a performance of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is." About three and a half minutes through the song, Wynonna paid tribute to her late mother Naomi Judd, who died by suicide in May 2022. She looked up and said, "Mama, you need to be here. I miss you, and I love you, and I don't understand."

Related: Get to Know Ashley McBryde 

3. Kelsea Ballerini Has a 'Yas Queen' Moment

Kelsea Ballerini made a serious statement in the most fun way: She performed her hit "IF YOU GO DOWN (I'M GOIN' DOWN TOO)" with drag queens Manila, Kennedy Davenport and Jan Sport, complete with Hairspray-inspired styling. It was her second politically charged statement of the night and a great time to (kinky) boot.

Related: See All of Kelsea Ballerini's Adorable Outfits From the 2023 CMT Awards

4. Shania Twain and Megan Thee Stallion Doing It for the Girls

Shania Twain and Megan Thee Stallion are each flawless in their own rights and putting them together gave all of us life, and Twain's dedication to inclusion and equal radio play and promotion for women and marginalized communities in country music made us love her even more. Can you even imagine?

Related: Let's Go Girls! Shania Twain and Megan Thee Stallion Are Having a Blast at the 2023 CMT Awards

5. Lynyrd Skynyrd Gets a Moving Tribute

With an intro by Peter Frampton and a supergroup made up of Slash, Paul Rodgers, Wyonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, Cody Johnson, Billy Gibbons, and Chuck Leavell, you knew the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute would be great. But uh, a little more "Freebird" would have been cool too.

6. Alanis Morissette Brings the Grrrl Power

Teaming up with Ingrid Andress, Madeline Edwards, Morgan Wade and Lainey Wilson, Alanis Morissette sang circles around everyone with her iconic hit "You Oughta Know." Just change the "C" in "CMT" to stand for "Canada" already.

7. Gary Clark Jr. Exists

Listen, any inclusion of Gary Clark Jr. in anything is bound to be one of the best parts of the night. The guitar virtuoso's rendition of "The House Is Rockin'" is no exception. No exception exists. The only thing this man can't do is disappoint.

Related: Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's Sweet Love Story

8. Keith Urban Makes Brown Eyed Girls Weep

It's Keith Urban, so you already know it was going to be good, but this is a matter of principle: We need more songs about brown eyes. Don't relegate us to just Van Morrison (especially not anymore).

Related: See More Proof of Katelyn and Kane Brown Being Couple Goals

9. Katelyn and Kane Brown Give Us All the Feels

Seriously, how sweet are these two? "Thank God" for Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown for making us believe in love, and congrats to them for winning the biggest award of the night too!

10. Darius Rucker and the Black Crowes Raise Hell, Sound Heavenly

Darius Rucker teamed up with the Black Crowes for "She Talks to Angels," and it was as good as you'd expect—which is to say very good.

Related: Darius Rucker's Net Worth and How He Earned It From Hootie & the Blowfish and Solo Success

11. Jelly Roll Is an Inspiration

Jelly Roll didn't have a typical recipe for success, coming from a cycle of incarceration in his youth to country and rap stardom simultaneously. But boy, is his triumph sweet to witness.

12. We Love That Carrie Underwood Hates Her Heart

Carrie Underwood delivered the way she always does, but even she seemed pleasantly surprised by how much butt she kicked with her "Hate My Heart" performance.

Related: Carrie Underwood's Net Worth Makes Her the Wealthiest American Idol Alum

13. Gwen Stefani Goes Full Country

For her CMT Awards performance debut, Gwen Stefani fully appropriated her husband Blake Shelton's country accent for a duet of "Just a Girl" with Carly Pearce. While it wasn't perfect, it sure was memorable. (Girl, you are from Anaheim.) That said, if Carly wants to do a ska record, we're here for it.

Next, see all the best 2023 CMT Awards red carpet looks.