CMT Awards 2013: Everything you need to know

We’re counting down the days until the 2023 CMT Music Awards!

The country music voting show will air live on Sunday at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, and air live on CBS and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET.

This year, fans can expect a star-studded performance with acts like Alanis Morissette, Gwen Stefani and Shania Twain taking the stage. Meanwhile, Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown are set to return as co-hosts.

Here’s everything you need to know about a fun-filled night!

Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown are back to host

Ballerini and Brown, both 29, return as co-soldiers for the third Ballerini and Brown fourth to take the night.

“The CMT Awards are really a true snapshot of the sound of music right now, and honoring newer artists and collaborations, and things that are pushing the limits,” Ballerini said earlier this week. “I think I probably speak for both of us when I say that’s always where our music really lies, and it’s something that’s important to us.”

She continues: “Being able to be on stage and guest with someone that I feel like I’m really cool in that way.”

Check out full CMT Awards coverage for the latest news on the country’s big night.

To prepare for his big nights, Brown said he and the “blind” singer typically start by reading through scripts and tossing around creative ideas.

“Our goal is to highlight and complement the work of all the famous and amazing artists out there, and just do their thing,” he said. “I’m really just trying to be honest with myself when it becomes more accommodating.”

Last year, Brown joined the campaign when the “Heartfirst” singer tested positive for COVID-19 on the morning of the awards show and was forced to complete hosting duties from home.

Lainey Wilson leads the pack with the most nominations

Lainey Wilson leads the pack this year with four nominations, including video of the year, female video of the year, collaborative video of the year and CMT’s performance of the year.

Brown, Cody Johnson and first-time nominee Jelly Roll each pulled this one off with three nods. Ballerini is up for two awards, including video of the year.

Meanwhile, the nominations for video of the year, the biggest award of the night, include Brown, Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack, Brandy Clark and Pillbox Patti, Blake Shelton, Cody Johnson, Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley, Gabby Barrett, HARDY feat. Wilson, Jimmie Allen, Keith Urban, Little Big City, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen and Walker Hayes.

2023 also marks the first year that the show will split the breakthrough video solution of the year into male and female categories.

Expect a star, spiked performance line

The star-studded show begins with Gary Clark Jr.’s Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute.

Alanis Morissette, Gwen Stefani and Shania Twain — who will receive this year’s Equal Pay — will also take the stage at the awards show.

The Jagged Little Pill singer, 48, will make her CMT Music Awards debut with a performance of “You Oughta Know” with Ingrid Andrese, Wilson, Madeline Edwards and Morgan Wade to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of CMT’s Next Women franchise. Meanwhile, Stefani, 53, will also mark her debut with a performance alongside Carly Pearce.

Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Cody Johnson, Paul Rodgers, Slash and Warren Haynes worship Lynyrd Skynyrd and founding member Gary Rossington after his death in March. LeAnn Rimes and Wynonna Judd also join in the tribute, filling the roles of the Honketts.

Ballerini and Brown (along with his wife Katelyn) will also take the stage at the awards show. Several performers include Blake Shelton, Cody Johnson and Keith Urban. The award show also featured a lineup of rising country stars on the Ram Trucks side of the stadium, including Megan Moroney, Jackson Dean, Nate Smith, Lily Rose, Avery Anna and Capella Hart.

Watch your favorite stars present at the awards

This year, the presenters range from country music singers to rappers and actors from your TV shows—making this an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

It stars Pearce, Underwood, Charles Esten, Dixie D’Amelio, Dustin Lynch Hardy, Ian Bohen and Jen Landon.

Additional presenters include Jon Pardi, Rimes, Madison Bailey, Max Thieriot, Megan Thee Stallion, Noah Schnapp, Parker McCollum, Peter Frampton, Twain, Steve Howey and Travis Kelce.

How to watch

The 2023 CMT Music Awards will air on CBS at 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, and is also available to watch live and live on Paramount.