Morgan Wallen performs inside a cave near Nashville for CMT Music Awards.
This year has been so different in every way, including the 2020 CMT Music Awards held last night in Nashville and surrounding areas, not only for the audience, but for the artists, as well. Hosted by Sarah Hyland, Kane Brown, and Ashley McBryde, what sets it apart from the ACM Awards and CMA Awards is it is the only country music awards show that is fully fan voted.
Usually, the CMT Music Awards are held one day prior to the start of CMA Music Festival in June at Bridgestone Arena in front of a full audience with most of the country music industry in attendance. This year, there was no red carpet, no live audience, and no press at any of the various on-site locations.
There was a Ram Trucks sponsored fan viewing party with several emerging artists (Mickey Guyton, Travis Denning, Ingrid Andress, Caylee Hammack, Riley Green, and HARDY) that a few lucky fans got to attend outside in downtown Nashville near the Cumberland River. Production staff was very careful to make sure all wore masks, socially distanced, no large crowd, and held outside. It looked like a fun time for those in attendance for some great performances from the Ram Trucks stage. You can view full performances from each of the artists HERE.
Opening the night was a fun collaboration with Luke Combs and Brooks & Dunn singing “1, 2 Many” live together for the first time.
Just so many standout moments from the night like Breakthrough Video of the Year winner, Gabby Barrett, with her #1 hit, “I Hope”. Ashley McBryde always brings something special to every performance. live from Switzerland. Jennifer Nettles being honored with the first CMT Equal Play award as an advocate for the women of country music who have been struggling for the last several years to be heard on country radio.
Carrie Underwood ended up, unsurprisingly, being the biggest winner of the night winning both Female Video of the Year and Video of the Year.
Little Big Town wrapped up the night with their newest release, “Wine, Beer, Whiskey”. There were so many standout performances, but this was my favorite of the night. I love their fine-tuned harmonies, their energy, and this song is a jam that I want to keep on repeat. A clip of their performance is below, but for the full performance, go HERE.
The CMT Music Awards is always one of my favorite events of the year. Even though 2020 with the pandemic changed many things, it was still a night to remember. Great production and performances.
For much more from the night, go to: www.cmt.com. All video footage & photos courtesy of CMT.
“2020 CMT Music Awards” winners include:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan – “One Margarita”
GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Old Dominion – “One Man Band”
DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Dan + Shay – “I Should Probably Go To Bed”
BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Gabby Barrett – “I Hope”
COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani – “Nobody But You”
CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
From CMT Artists of the Year: Chris Young – “Drowning”
CMT EQUAL PLAY AWARD
Jennifer Nettles
QUARANTINE VIDEO OF THE YEAR (SOCIAL ONLY AWARD)
Granger Smith – “DON’T COUGH ON ME!”
NASHVILLE — (October 6) — The “2020 CMT Music Awards” continues to amp up its list of standout performers with the addition of country music’s biggest breakout artists Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Ingrid Andress, Mickey Guyton, Riley Green and Travis Denning, all set to perform at the Ram Trucks Side Stage. Country music’s only entirely fan-voted show airs Wednesday, October 21st at 
