Here's What You Can Expect From This Year's CMT Country Music Awards
The 2019 CMT Awards will take place on Wednesday, June 6 at 8 p.m. from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
This year’s hosts are Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town.
The 2019 nominees include some of country's biggest names, like Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, and other genre-busting artists like Boyz II Men.
Country music's loudest night is right around the corner. The 2019 CMT Awards are known for being the biggest party in Nashville, a night where the stars get to hear what the fans think while celebrating the year's biggest achievements in music and video. And the CMT Awards are the kick-off of the summer awards season, with the MTV Movie & TV Awards and the BET Awards following shortly after. It's the rowdiest night in country music, and we've got all the details ahead of the annual awards ceremony.
When do the CMT Awards air?
The 2019 show will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 5 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT.
Who is the host of the CMT Awards?
For the second year in a row, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town are co-hosts of the CMT Awards.
How can I watch the CMT Awards?
Country music fans, never fear: You have plenty of options to view the 2019 CMT Awards. Obviously, the show is available to watch on the CMT channel on cable, but there is also an official CMT app available for Google Play and Apple users, allowing those with a TV provider login to be able to watch through the app. The show will also stream on the CMT website (though a cable provider login is required). Hulu also has access to the CMT channel with the Hulu + Live TV option, and streaming services Philo and Sling have an option to view the show there as well.
If you’re hoping to attend the ceremony, you can also purchase tickets here.
Who’s nominated this year?
The CMT Awards are where the fans get to pick who they love and who they want to take home the biggest prizes in country music. For 2019, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Brothers Osborne and Zac Brown Band lead the pack with three nominations each. Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs and Dan + Shay are next with two nominations each. Among the first-timers? Brandi Carlile, Boyz II Men, Leon Bridges, Shawn Mendes, and Gladys Knight, who is no stranger to an award show or two.
Here’s the full list of nominees:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood - "Cry Pretty"
Chris Janson - "Drunk Girl"
Cole Swindell - "Break Up in the End"
Dan + Shay - "Speechless"
Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne - "Burning Man"
Eric Church - "Desperate Man"
Florida Georgia Line - "Simple"
Kacey Musgraves - "Rainbow"
Kane Brown - "Good as You"
Keith Urban feat. Julia Michaels - "Coming Home"
Kelsea Ballerini - "Miss Me More"
Luke Combs - "She Got the Best of Me"
Maren Morris - "GIRL"
Zac Brown Band - "Someone I Used To Know"
MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Cole Swindell - "Break Up in the End"
Eric Church - "Desperate Man"
Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert - "Drowns The Whiskey"
Kane Brown - "Lose It"
Kenny Chesney - "Get Along"
Luke Bryan - "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset"
Thomas Rhett - "Life Changes"
FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Brandi Carlile - "The Joke"
Carly Pearce - "Closer To You"
Carrie Underwood - "Love Wins"
Kacey Musgraves - "Space Cowboy"
Kelsea Ballerini - "Miss Me More"
Maren Morris - "GIRL"
Miranda Lambert - "Keeper of the Flame"
DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne - "I Don't Remember Me (Before You)"
Dan + Shay - "Speechless"
Florida Georgia Line - "Simple"
LOCASH - "Feels Like A Party"
Maddie & Tae - "Friends Don't"
Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift - "Babe"
GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Eli Young Band - "Love Ain't"
LANCO - "Born to Love You"
Little Big Town - "Summer Fever"
Midland - "Burn Out"
Old Dominion - "Hotel Key"
Zac Brown Band - "Someone I Used To Know"
BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ashley McBryde - "Girl Goin' Nowhere (At Marathon Music Works)"
Jimmie Allen - "Best Shot"
Jordan Davis - "Take It From Me"
Mitchell Tenpenny - "Drunk Me"
Morgan Wallen - "Whiskey Glasses"
Runaway June - "Buy My Own Drinks"
Tenille Townes - "Somebody's Daughter"
COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell - "What Happens In A Small Town"
Darius Rucker feat. Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Charles Kelley - "Straight To Hell"
Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne - "Burning Man"
Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert - "Drowns The Whiskey"
Keith Urban feat. Julia Michaels - "Coming Home"
Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift - "Babe"
CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Boyz II Men and Brett Young - "Motownphilly" (From "CMT Crossroads")
Luke Combs and Leon Bridges - "Beautiful Crazy" (From "CMT Crossroads")
Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile - "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (From "2018 CMT Artists of the Year")
Brett Eldredge and Meghan Trainor - "Let You Be Right" (From "CMT Crossroads")
Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman and Gladys Knight - "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "Help Me Make It Through the Night" (From "2018 CMT Artists of the Year")
Zac Brown Band and Shawn Mendes - "Keep Me In Mind" (From "CMT Crossroads")
The evening’s hosts, Little Big Town, have won three times in the Group Video Of The Year category: “When Someone Stops Loving You” in 2018, “Better Man” in 2017, and “Girl Crush” in 2016. Carrie Underwood holds the title of the most awarded artist in CMT Awards history, is nominated for two awards this year: Video Of The Year for “Cry Pretty” and Female Video Of The Year for “Love Wins.”
What’s up with the Video of The Year category?
Fourteen nominees does sound a little excessive, even in a world where the Oscars allow up to 10 movies to be nominated for Best Picture. But according to CMT rules, the top five nominees will be selected during the initial voting period, with the final nominees are announced the morning of the show. The real and final vote will be held on social media during the live telecast on June 5.
Who are the performers?
People exclusively revealed on May 15 the all-star list of performers for country’s biggest night. Bringing musical moments that evening are Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris and Thomas Rhett, who are all confirmed to perform.
How do I vote for the CMT Awards?
Country music fans everywhere can stretch their voting muscle by voting for their faves on the CMT website. But don’t wait: Voting closes at 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, June 5.
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