The 2024 CMT Awards took place in Austin, Texas, with an exciting lineup of fan favorite artists set to be recognized during the evening. The event kicked off with fiery performances from Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean, and Megan Maroney. The first winners of the evening were Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton, who won Collaborative Video of the Year for their song “We Don’t Fight Anymore.” Despite Stapleton’s absence, Pearce graciously accepted the award and thanked him for making her dreams come true by joining her on the song.
The host of the evening was country star Kelsea Ballerini, who presented solo for the first time in four years hosting the awards. Rising star Ashley Cooke was thrilled to win Breakthrough Female Video of the Year for her song “Your Place” and expressed gratitude for the honor. Warren Zeiders was also in high spirits after winning Breakthrough Male Video of the Year, dedicating his win to his father, whom he called his “ride or die.” Trisha Yearwood was the recipient of the inaugural June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award, previously announced to honor her philanthropic efforts.
The nominees for the awards included Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney, Jelly Roll, and Cody Johnson, each earning three nods. The event featured performances from Jason Aldean, Trisha Yearwood, Sam Hunt, and a special tribute to the late Toby Keith with performances from Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar, and more. Presenters included Billy Bob Thornton, Emma Roberts, James Van Der Beek, and Jane Seymour. With categories like Duo/Group Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year, and CMT Performance of the Year, the awards covered a wide range of talent and genres.
One of the notable aspects of this year’s nominations was the inclusion of 14 first-time nominees, with acts that span beyond country music, reflecting CMT’s focus on genre-blending collaborations. Notable nominees for Video of the Year included Ashley McBryde, Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves, and more. Morgan Wallen, one of the top stars in country music, received one nomination for Male Video of the Year. Wallen’s 2023 album broke records on the Billboard 200 chart.
The event also featured categories like Breakthrough Female Video of the Year, Breakthrough Male Video of the Year, and CMT Performance of the Year showcasing a diverse range of talent. Additionally, new performers who were nominated for the first time added fresh energy to the awards show. The ceremony culminated in a fun and entertaining evening celebrating the best in country music with performances, awards, and special tributes to industry legends. Overall, the 2024 CMT Awards were a night to remember for fans and artists alike.
