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Erika Goldring Getty Images for CMT
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 09: Carrie Underwood wins Video of the Year for the 2021 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 09, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for CMT)
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Scott Gries Getty Images
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NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 14: Singer/actress Reba McEntire onstage during the 2008 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Events Center at Belmont University on April 14, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
On April 11 one of Nashville’s (and the world’s) most beloved award shows will reach a historic milestone.
The 2022 CMT Music Awards, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Anthony Mackie, will broadcast live on CBS from Nashville’s historic Municipal Auditorium and various locations in and around Nashville. This is the fan-voted award show’s inaugural run on the network, marking a major moment for the awards themselves and for country music.
But the show almost didn’t go on. Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant earlier this year, the CMT Awards—along with CBS’s other big music awards show, The Grammys—were put on hold out of an abundance of caution. Luckily the network was able to reschedule both.
“Once we realized the need to move the Grammy Awards to a later date due to current health concerns, we came together quickly with our partners at the Recording Academy and CMT to strategically reschedule these two incredible music events,” says Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music, Live Events & Alternative Programming for CBS. “The CMT brand is preeminent in the world of country music, and we are thrilled that their team was able to coordinate a new date to bring this marquee event for television to CBS.”
(The show will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.)
“Expect the most unforgettable CMT Music Awards yet, jam-packed with the most star-power, world premiere performances, and one-of-a-kind collaborations from in and around Music City,” said Margaret Comeaux, John Hamlin, and Leslie Fram, executive producers of the show, in a joint statement.
And that’s big talk considering the incredible moments the show has given fans in its nearly two decades. To celebrate the CMT Awards’ history and toast its next chapter, we’ve rounded up some of the most outrageous and water cooler-worthy moments from its past.
1. Taylor Swift won her first major award at the 2007 CMT Music Awards, taking home the win for Breakthrough Video of the Year for her video “Tim McGraw.” She also visited the CMT offices the following day to deliver cookies and thank the staff.
2. The precursor to the CMT Music Awards were the CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, which debuted in 2002 and were hosted by actress Kathy Najimy. The show officially became the CMT Music Awards in 2005.
3. The 2003 CMT Flameworthy Awards were hosted by Pamela Anderson and Toby Keith, and in 2004 Dolly Parton played host.
4. The show has previously taken place in June to coincide with CMA Music Festival.
5. Carrie Underwood reigns as the artist with the most ever CMT Music Awards trophies with 23 wins.
6. Reba McEntire was the first recipient of the Johnny Cash Visionary Award in 2004. Other recipients include Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, and Hank Williams, Jr.
7. In honor of the CMT series Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders opened the 2008 red carpet with their signature kick line routine.
8. In 2020, the first CMT Equal Play Award was awarded to Jennifer Nettles, recognizing her work in advocating for parity in country music. In 2021, the legendary Linda Martell received the honor.
9. The 2011 show open included Shania Twain and Taylor Swift recreating the final scene of Thelma & Louise. The mini movie was shot on a vacant stretch of I-840. Kid Rock, who hosted the awards that year, played the hitchhiking Brad Pitt role.
10. In 2008, the show opened with a comedic short featuring Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain, all trying to score tickets to the show, which was hosted by Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus.