CMT Music Awards 2023 presented some of the hottest country music stars. The CMT Music Awards celebrate the most outstanding country music videos and performances. The awards show has become highly anticipated in the country music world. Artists are recognized in multiple categories, including Video of the Year, Male and Female Video of the Year, and Collaborative Video of the Year. With the 2022 ceremony recently wrapped up, fans and artists are already looking forward to the 2023 CMT Music Awards.
What is CMT Music Awards 2023
The CMT Music Awards are a fan-chosen ceremony that honors country music performances on television and in music videos. Every year in Nashville, Tennessee, the award ceremony is presented and live-streamed on CBS, along with CMT (Country Music Television) and other Paramount Global networks. Voting is done on CMT’s website, CMT.com.
KB & KB are back at it again! ❤️👏 @kanebrown is joining @kelseaballerini as co-host of the 2023 #CMTAwards!! Don't miss the fun happening April 2 on @CBS! pic.twitter.com/7J2Ug7gW6X
— CMT (@CMT) February 23, 2023
History of CMT Music Awards
Beginning in 1967, the now-defunct Music City News magazine presented the Music City News Awards yearly. To honor the network’s fifth anniversary, The Nashville Network (TNN) launched the Viewers’ Choice Awards in 1988. The TNN/Music City News Country Awards were created in 1990 by merging the two award ceremonies.
Music City News’ contract with TNN ended in 1999, and the magazine stopped publishing. The TNN Music Awards were named Country Weekly and presented the TNN Music Awards after Country Weekly became the awards show’s presenting sponsor in 2000. The awards event was moved to the sister network CMT in 2001 when TNN ended its country music relationship.
The 2001 show was simulcast on both networks and called the TNN/CMT Country Weekly Music Awards. Country Weekly’s brief partnership with the production ended when the show moved to CMT. For traditional categories like “Entertainer of the Year,” “Male/Female Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” etc., viewers cast their votes via phone or mail during this time. All awards were determined by fan voting, but most categories were similar to those at the CMA and ACM Awards.
The 2002 awards ceremony was overhauled and rebranded as the CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards. This was after the network’s then-current branding strategy for its most viewed videos. Kaye Zusmann, program development vice president, created the moniker “Flameworthy” to allude to concertgoers waving lighters or other lights. (this was before the current negative meaning of the word flaming on the Internet became more commonplace). The program changed from awards-based to production-based and was fashioned after MTV’s Video Music Awards. The conventional awards were modified to recognize country guitarists’ music videos.
The show featured several unconventional categories, emphasizing funny, sexy, and patriotic videos; however, these categories were gradually phased out over time. The program further set itself apart from the CMA and ACM Awards by featuring bluegrass musicians like Alison Krauss and Earl Scruggs. The concert was shifted from June to April in 2003 but was returned to June in 2009 to take advantage of the CMA Music Festival (now known as “Fan Fair”), the increase in visitors to Nashville, and the fact that many of the musicians will be in town at the same time.
Although the show’s name was changed to CMT Music Awards in 2005, its general structure stayed the same. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the awards were postponed until October, and the CMA Fest was canceled. The ceremony was initially scheduled for October 14 but delayed to October 21 due to a scheduling problem with the Billboard Music Awards that year.
For 2021, the CMT Music Awards became virtual and aired on June 9. The show included performances from country music’s biggest names, such as Luke Combs and Rascal Flatts. Hosted by Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, and Brett Young, the show was a night to remember, with many awards given out.
The show featured sixteen awards, with Miranda Lambert taking home the top prize as Video Of The Year for her song “Bluebird”. Other awards included Female Video Of The Year and Male Video Of The Year. Thomas Rhett earned the CMT Performance Of The Year award, and Little Big Town was honored with CMT Group Video Of The Year for their song “Wine, Beer, Whiskey”.
CMT studio sessions, acoustic performances, and exclusive interviews also captivated viewers. It was a night of celebrating country music and its stars, with speeches from the winners and plenty of heartfelt moments.
With the 2021 CMT Music Awards closing, country music fans will eagerly await the next ceremony. Nashville’s tradition of celebrating country music remains, even if it must be virtual.
The CMT Music Awards 2023 Winners
On Sunday, April 2, the CMT (Country Music Television) Music Awards were held at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini, both nominees who performed during the show this year, served as the event’s hosts. The audience chose them.
Here is the list of 2023 CMT Awards winners.
Video of the Year
- Winner: Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown – “Thank God”
Nominees for CMT Music Awards 2023
- Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack, Brandy Clark & Pillbox Patti – “Bonfire at Tina’s”
- Blake Shelton – “No Body”
- Carrie Underwood – “Hate My Heart”
- Cody Johnson – “Human”
- Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley – “Worth a Shot”
- Gabby Barrett – “Pick Me Up”
- HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson – “wait in the truck.”
- Jimmie Allen – “Down Home”
- Keith Urban – “Wild Hearts”
- Kelsea Ballerini – “HEARTFIRST”
- Little Big Town – “Rich Man”
- Luke Bryan – “Country On”
- Luke Combs – “The Kind of Love We Make”
- Morgan Wallen – “You Proof”
- Walker Hayes – “AA”
Female Video of the Year
- Winner: Lainey Wilson – “Heart Like a Truck”
Nominees for CMT Music Awards 2023
- Carly Pearce – “What He Didn’t Do”
- Carrie Underwood – “Ghost Story”
- Gabby Barrett – “Pick Me Up”
- Kelsea Ballerini – “HEARTFIRST”
- Maren Morris – “Humble Quest”
- Miranda Lambert – “Actin’ Up”
Male Video of the Year
- Winner: Jelly Roll – “Son of a Sinner”
Nominees for CMT Music Awards 2023
- Bailey Zimmerman – “Rock and a Hard Place”
- Cody Johnson – “Human”
- Cole Swindell – “She Had Me at Heads Carolina”
- Kane Brown – “Like I Love Country Music”
- Luke Combs – “The Kind of Love We Make”
- Morgan Wallen – “Wasted on You”
Group/Duo Video of the Year
- Winner: Zac Brown Band – “Out in the Middle”
Nominees for CMT Music Awards 2023
- Dan + Shay – “You (Performance Video)”
- Lady A – “Summer State of Mind”
- Little Big Town – “Hell Yeah”
- Parmalee – “Take My Name”
- The War and Treaty – “That’s How Love Is Made”
Female Breakthrough Video of the Year
- Winner: Megan Moroney – “Tennessee Orange”
Nominees for CMT Music Awards 2023
- Avery Anna – “Narcissist”
- Kylie Morgan – “If He Wanted to, He Would”
- MacKenzie Porter – “Pickup”
- Morgan Wade – “Wilder Days”
- Tiera Kennedy – “Found It in You”
Male Breakthrough Video of the Year
- Winner: Jelly Roll – “Son of a Sinner”
Nominees for CMT Music Awards 2023
- Bailey Zimmerman – “Fall in Love”
- Corey Kent – “Wild as Her”
- Drake Milligan – “Sounds Like Something I’d Do”
- Jackson Dean – “Don’t Come Lookin’”
- Nate Smith – “Whiskey on You”
Collaborative Video of the Year
- Winner: HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson – “Wait in the truck.”
Nominees for CMT Music Awards 2023
- Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley – “Worth a Shot”
- Ingrid Andress with Sam Hunt – “Wishful Drinking”
- Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown – “Thank God”
- Midland feat. Jon Pardi – “Longneck Way to Go”
- Russell Dickerson feat. Jake Scott – “She Likes It”
- Thomas Rhett & Katy Perry – “Where We Started”
CMT Performance of the Year
- Winner: Cody Johnson – “‘Til You Can’t” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
What a way to close out the 2023 #CMTAwards! 🔥 💥 🔥 https://t.co/PiejpXeCb9
— CMT (@CMT) April 7, 2023
Nominees for CMT Music Awards 2023
- Black Pumas & Mickey Guyton – “Colors” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
- Chris Stapleton – “Whenever You Come Around” (from “CMT Giants: Vince Gill”)
- Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson – “Never Say Never” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
- Darius Rucker – “Let Her Cry” (from “CMT Storytellers”)
- Emmy Russell & Lukas Nelson – “Lay Me Down” (from “Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Loretta Lynn”)
- LeAnn Rimes with Ashley McBryde & Carly Pearce – “One Way Ticket” (from “CMT Crossroads: LeAnn Rimes & Friends”)
- Keith Urban – “Wild Hearts” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
- The Judds – “Love Can Build a Bridge” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
- Wynonna Judd & Brandi Carlile – “The Rose” (from “Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration”)
CMT Digital-first Performance of the Year
- Winner: Jelly Roll – “Son of a Sinner” (from “CMT All Access”)
Nominees for CMT Music Awards 2023
- Charley Crockett – “Time of the Cottonwood Trees” (from “CMT Campfire Sessions”)
- Chris Young – “Gettin’ You Home” (from “CMT Stages”)
- Ingrid Andress – “Wishful Drinking” (from “CMT Studio Sessions”)
- Megan Moroney – “Tennessee Orange” (from “CMT Viral to Verified”)
- Scotty McCreery – “Damn Strait” (from “CMT Campfire Sessions”)
5 Best Dresses on the Red Carpet CMT Music Awards 2023
The CMT Music Awards 2023 featured some of the best-dressed stars on the red carpet. From Katelyn Brown’s show-stopping white gown to Shania Twain’s red animal print gown, here are the five best-dressed celebrities who graced the carpet this year.
Katelyn Brown
Katelyn Brown looked stunning in a sleek, white dress that she paired with statement jewelry and a stylish updo. The look was classic yet modern and highlighted all of her features perfectly.
Check out the amazon store to find the same white dress style – you’re sure to turn heads!
Shania Twain
Shania Twain stepped out in a red animal print dress and a simple hairdo at night on the red carpet. Her fresh makeup look was all about brightening up her features, while her long orange waves lent an air of sophisticated glamour to her overall look.
Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson was rocking a bold animal print dress in shades of red, blue, and black for her appearance at the ceremony. She completed her look with beachy blonde waves and timeless gold jewellery, bringing out her beauty even more.
Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini chose an elegant white dress for her red carpet entrance, which featured Her slicked-back hair added to the overall sophistication of her ensemble.
Slay in this elegant white dress seen on Kelsea Ballerini over at the Amazon store
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani showed off some serious style with a glimmering sequined jacket and skirt combination. She kept things simple by accessorizing with small diamond earrings and an updo hairstyle, allowing color blocking to take center stage in this beautiful ensemble.
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Overall, these ladies nailed their looks on this particular evening! From subtle elegance to the most daring fashion choices, these talented women gave us a few great looks that made headlines at CMT’s 2023 Music Awards show!
The CMT Music Awards 2023
The CMT Music Awards 2023 event was a huge success, with country music’s biggest stars attending in style. Since its inception in 1967, the CMT Music Awards have celebrated the top performers in country music. This year’s ceremony did not disappoint.
The event had incredible performances, heartfelt speeches, and well-deserved winners. As the night drew to a close, country music fans worldwide gained a renewed appreciation for the artists who make their favorite songs. As we look forward to the next CMT Music Awards ceremony, we can be sure it will be as exciting as this one. We can’t wait to see who will take home the top honors in country music for years to come.