2023 CMT Music Awards Announced

On Sunday, April 2, the 2023 CMT Music Awards will air live from Austin's Moody Center. The fan-voted event can be seen live on CBS and Paramount+ starting at 8 p.m.

This week, Lainey Wilson led all nominees with four nods followed by Cody Johnson and Kane Brown with three each.

Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Carrie Underwood

Kelsea Ballerini and Carrie Underwood have delighted fans by announcing that they will host the 2023 CMT music awards. Additionally, they revealed that this year's awards will take place for the first time at Moody Center in Austin.

At a live performance by Carrie Underwood and Ballerini, who are currently on their Denim and Rhinestones tour together, it was announced that Ballerini would be hosting the awards show alongside her. As she handed Carrie Underwood a belt buckle adorned in denim and rhinestones during their performance, Underwood excitedly gave back the belt buckle as part of her gesture.

Fans were overjoyed as Alanis Morissette and Gwen Stefani performed a cover of their popular country song, "Heart First". Throughout their performance, the couple formed an emotional bond with their audience as they professed their affection for one another.

Following their duet, the couple posed for photos together. They were joined by other performers such as Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll and Kane Brown.

In addition to the stunning news, Underwood presented Ballerini with her very own Opry trophy--a small microphone on a stand symbolizing her membership in the iconic venue. This award is one of the most prized possessions for any country star--and one she had to wait long for.

Meanwhile, she's achieved great success with her own hits, such as number one singles "Miss Me More," "Shotgun Rider" and "Dear Old Dad." Additionally, Miss Me More will release its debut album in May.

When it comes to the video of the year category, Shelton's "No Body," Underwood's "Hate My Heart" and Johnson's "Human" are all contenders for top honors. But competition is fierce as Wilson's "Wait in the Truck," HARDY and Wilson's "Thank God," Kane and Katelyn Brown's "Thank You" all have strong chances at taking home top honors.

This year marks the first time the CMT music awards will be hosted outside Nashville, and it promises to be an exciting night! The awards air Sunday, April 2 on CBS from Moody Center in Austin. Plus, Paramount+ will stream it live and on demand - so you can watch from home!

Live from Austin’s Moody Center

On Sunday, April 2, the 2023 CMT Music Awards will air live from Austin's Moody Center at 7 p.m. This marks the first time that this fan-voted awards show has moved outside of Nashville and will include performances by Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker with The Black Crowes, Jelly Roll and Cody Johnson.

Fans who can't make the event in person can watch live on CBS. Tickets for the live stream can be bought at Ticketmaster, and you may stream it onto your phone or tablet if you have an Internet connection.

In addition to livestreaming, there are other ways you can enjoy the event before, during and after it airs on TV. Many local stations will broadcast the awards ceremony live and others host free events around town.

Tickets for this event can be purchased either online at Ticketmaster or by calling a Ticketmaster agent. Tickets purchased at the door may also be available, though they tend to be quite costly.

For years, the CMT Music Awards has been on the go - but now it's finally making Austin its home. This year's show will bring country superstars to a city that loves them so much - hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Carrie Underwood.

Jeff Nickler, general manager of the Moody Center in Austin, believes that Austin's new arena has been a major draw for artists. He attributes its success to both Austin's burgeoning population and expanding economy, as well as collaborations between University of Texas at Austin, Live Nation/C3 Presents, Oak View Group and Minister of Culture Matthew McConaughey.

Since opening its doors in April, the arena has welcomed a host of top talent to Austin, including George Straight, Roger Waters, The Killers and Boxscore record-breaker Harry Styles. Its first-year sales have vaulted it to the top of Billboard's year-end Top Venues (10,000-15,000 capacity) chart with sales exceeding $62.7 million dollars in tickets sold.

Premium experiences are a big draw at Moody Center. Guests can enjoy shows in 44 suites, nearly 2,000 club seats, three premium clubs (the Dell Technologies Club, Indeed Club and Germania Insurance Club), 57 loge boxes and the Moet & Chandon Imperial Lounge). In addition to premium seating options, the arena also provides various food options - it boasts over 1,500 restaurants within its walls including local favorites The Driskill Hotel and Hulu Stage.

Nominations announced

The nominations for the 2023 CMT Music Awards have been revealed, with Bell Bottom Country star Lainey Wilson leading the pack with four nods. Cody Johnson, Luke Combs, HARDY and Morgan Wallen each earn two nods.

Carrie Underwood, who is the most-awarded artist in CMT history with 25 wins, is once again up for Video of the Year with her song "Hate My Heart," from her album Denim & Rhinestones. She will join 14 other acts competing for top honors at an awards ceremony to be held April 2 at Austin's Moody Center on April 2.

Underwood's video is a parody that depicts a group of friends going through a breakup and having fun at Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. The song, written by Underwood and Matt McKinney, was released in September.

Shelton, who has been nominated in the video category for "No Body," is also up for another award. He's nominated for Video of the Year and Record of the Year; plus, he and fellow singers Blake Shelton and Keith Urban are up for Collaborative Video of the Year.

Voting for the video category has now begun and Shelton, Underwood, Jimmie Allen, Ashley McBryde with Caylee Hammack, Brandy Clark + Pillbox Patti, Elle King + Dierks Bentley, Gabby Barrett HARDY plus Lainey Wilson Kane Brown (wife Katelyn Brown) Walker Hayes and Ballerini are all in contention to win this coveted trophy.

On the telecast, Underwood will perform her new single, "Hate My Heart," as well as receive the CMT Equal Play Award - given to an artist who promotes inclusivity in country music.

Lynyrd Skynyrd will be honored with a special tribute concert featuring Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Cody Johnson, Paul Rodgers, Slash and Warren Haynes joining LeAnn Rimes and Wynonna Judd in memory of founding member Gary Rossington who passed away in early March.

On April 2, the CMT Music Awards will take place at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. It marks the first time this awards show has been held outside of Nashville and will be hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown. The broadcast will air live on CBS and be streamed online via Paramount+.

Performances

On April 2nd, 2023 CMT music awards will take place at Austin's Moody Center with an exciting performance lineup featuring some of your favorite artists. Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown, guests include Alanis Morissette with Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson, Gwen Stefani with Carly Pearce, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown + Katelyn Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, The Black Crowes with Darius Rucker; Tyler Hubbard and Wynonna Judd with Ashley McBryde are other performers announced for this special occasion.

On Friday night, Lynyrd Skynyrd fans can witness an unforgettable tribute featuring Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Cody Johnson, Paul Rodgers, Slash and Warren Haynes performing classic hits to pay homage to Gary Rossington and Dale Krantz - original founding members of the band. LeAnn Rimes and Wynonna Judd will join them as The Honkettes for this momentous occasion.

On CMT 2023, Gwen Stefani and Carly Pearce will join forces for an emotional rendition of "You Oughta Know." To commemorate 'CMT Next Women of Country's 10-year anniversary, they'll also offer an acoustic version of the hit.

At the 2023 CMT Music Awards, there will be a host of awards to be handed out, such as Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year and CMT Performance of the Year. Lainey Wilson leads all nominees with four nominations - for both HARDY's "Wait in the Truck," her own song "Heart Like a Truck" and her collaboration with Cole Swindell on "Never Say Never".

Kelsea Ballerini and Kane have returned for their third time as hosts of the award show, joined by many other country acts and rising country artists from Ram Trucks Side Stage. Performers include Avery Anna, Chapel Hart, Jackson Dean, Lily Rose and Megan Moroney.