From nominations and notes to performers and presenters, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about the 2020 CMT Music Awards.
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21
- Time: 7 p.m CT
- Television Stations: CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, Pop or TV Land
- Hosts: Kane Brown, Ashley McBryde, Sarah Hyland
- Performers: Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Caylee Hammack, Hardy, Ingrid Andress, Mickey Guyton, Riley Green, Travis Denning, Gabby Barrett, Morgan Wallen, Sam Hunt and Shania Twain
- Collaborations: Jimmie Allen and Noah Cyrus; Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey; Luke Combs and Brooks & Dunn
- Presenters: Brandi Carlile, Demi Lovato, Diplo, Idina Menzel, Jessica Chastain, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Rob Thomas, Tanya Tucker and Taylor Swift
- Fan Voting: Closed, except for Video of the Year. Visit vote.cmt.com to vote until the show airs on Oct. 21.
- Notes: Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett lead the honorees with three nominations apiece.
- Special Award: Jennifer Nettles will receive the inaugural CMT Equal Play Award.
- Nominees
Video of the Year
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director.
- Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
- Keith Urban – “Polaroid”
- Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
- Luke Combs – “Beer Never Broke My Heart”
- Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”
- Tanya Tucker – “Bring My Flowers Now”
Female Video of the Year
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist
- Ashley McBryde – “One Night Standards”
- Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
- Gabby Barrett – “I Hope”
- Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
- Maren Morris – “The Bones”
- Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”
Male Video of the Year
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist
- Jason Aldean – “Got What I Got”
- Luke Bryan – “One Margarita”
- Luke Combs – “Even Though I’m Leaving”
- Morgan Wallen – “Chasin’ You (Dream Video)”
- Sam Hunt – “Hard To Forget”
- Thomas Rhett – “Remember You Young”
Group Video of the Year
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists
- Lady A – “Champagne Night”
- Little Big Town – “Wine, Beer, Whiskey”
- Midland – “Cheatin’ Songs (Live From the Palomino)”
- Old Dominion – “One Man Band”
- The Chicks – “Gaslighter”
- The Highwomen – “Crowded Table”
Duo Video of the Year
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists
- Brothers Osborne – “All Night (Studio Performance)”
- Dan + Shay – “I Should Probably Go To Bed”
- Florida Georgia Line – “Blessings”
- LOCASH – “One Big Country Song”
- Maddie & Tae – “Die From A Broken Heart”
Breakthrough Video of the Year
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)
- Blanco Brown – “The Git Up”
- Caylee Hammack – “Family Tree”
- Gabby Barrett – “I Hope”
- Ingrid Andress – “More Hearts Than Mine”
- Riley Green – “I Wish Grandpas Never Died”
- Travis Denning – “After a Few”
Collaborative Video of the Year
Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists
- Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani – “Nobody But You”
- Carly Pearce and Lee Brice – “I Hope You’re Happy Now”
- Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber – “10,000 Hours”
- Kane Brown featuring Nelly – “Cool Again”
- Marshmello and Kane Brown – “One Thing Right”
- Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi – “Beer Can’t Fix”
CMT Performance of the Year
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)
- CMT Artists of the Year: Ashley McBryde – “One Night Standards”
- CMT Crossroads: Brooks & Dunn and Luke Combs – “Brand New Man”
- CMT Artists of the Year: Chris Young – “Drowning”
- CMT Crossroads: Halsey and Kelsea Ballerini – “Graveyard”
- CMT Artists of the Year: Sam Hunt – “Fancy”
- CMT Crossroads: Sheryl Crow and Chris Stapleton – “Tell Me When It’s Over”
photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com