The CMT Awards, an annual celebration of the best in country music as voted by fans, took center stage on Sunday at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Hosted by the talented duo of Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown, both of whom were nominated for awards and performed during the ceremony, the event was a resounding success.
The night’s highlight was undoubtedly the husband-and-wife team of Kane and Katelyn Brown, who made history by winning the highly coveted video of the year award for their hit song “Thank God,” which was released in 2022. This marked the first time a married couple had won the award, and it was a momentous occasion for both of them.
Another big winner of the night was the talented rapper and country singer Jelly Roll, who took home three awards, including male breakthrough video of the year. The ceremony was also filled with incredible performances by some of the biggest names in country music, including Gwen Stefani, Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, and Alanis Morissette, who made her CMT debut with a special performance celebrating the 10th anniversary of the “CMT Next Women of Country.”
Country music legend Shania Twain was presented with the prestigious “CMT Equal Play Award” in recognition of her contributions to the industry and her tireless efforts to promote gender equality. The night also featured moving tribute performances in honor of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Lynyrd Skynyrd, two iconic figures in the world of music.
The 2023 CMT Music Awards were a night to remember for country music fans everywhere, with incredible performances, historic wins, and heartfelt tributes. It was a celebration of the best and brightest in the industry, and a testament to the enduring popularity and cultural significance of country music.
Here’s the list of winners:
Video of the year
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”
Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown – “Thank God” – WINNER
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
Carly Pearce – “What He Didn’t Do”
Carrie Underwood – “Ghost Story”
Gabby Barrett – “Pick Me Up”
Kelsea Ballerini – “HEARTFIRST”
Lainey Wilson – “Heart Like a Truck” – WINNER
Maren Morris – “Humble Quest”
Miranda Lambert – “Actin’ Up”
Male video of the year
Bailey Zimmerman – “Rock and a Hard Place”
Cody Johnson – “Human”
Cole Swindell – “She Had Me at Heads Carolina”
Jelly Roll – “Son of a Sinner” – WINNER
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
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”
Zac Brown Band – “Out in the Middle” – WINNER
Female breakthrough video of the year
Avery Anna – “Narcissist”
Kylie Morgan – “If He Wanted to He Would”
MacKenzie Porter – “Pickup”
Megan Moroney – “Tennessee Orange” – WINNER
Morgan Wade – “Wilder Days”
Tiera Kennedy – “Found It in You”
Male breakthrough video of the year
Bailey Zimmerman – “Fall in Love”
Corey Kent – “Wild as Her”
Drake Milligan – “Sounds Like Something I’d Do”
Jackson Dean – “Don’t Come Lookin’”
Jelly Roll – “Son of a Sinner” – WINNER
Nate Smith – “Whiskey on You”
Collaborative video of the year
Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley – “Worth a Shot”
HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson – “Wait in the truck” – WINNER
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
Black Pumas & Mickey Guyton – “Colors” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
Chris Stapleton – “Whenever You Come Around” (from “CMT Giants: Vince Gill”)
Cody Johnson – “‘Til You Can’t” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS) – WINNER
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
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”)
Jelly Roll – “Son of a Sinner” (from “CMT All Access”) – WINNER
Megan Moroney – “Tennessee Orange” (from “CMT Viral to Verified”)
Scotty McCreery – “Damn Strait” (from “CMT Campfire Sessions”)
