2017 CMT Music Awards – What to Expect
With a long list of performers, presenters and numerous other things, here's what fans can expect from tonight's 2017 CMT Music Awards.
If you have plans tonight – stop and cancel! The only plans you should have are ones to watch the 2017 CMT Music Awards when it broadcasts live from Nashville’s Music City Center. The celebration honors the latest and greatest in music video magic from many of your favorite country stars throughout the past year.
While the show showcases music videos from the last 12 months, fans will be treated to a slew of new performances from their favorite artists like Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and more. Fans will also catch some of their favorite actors, like Ashton Kutcher, Jada Pinkett Smith and Katherine Heigl, take the stage to hand out the awards.
Breakout stars Kelsea Ballerini and Thomas Rhett are up against veteran Keith Urban as the most nominated artists, but who will take home the wins?
There’s much to look forward to during this year’s awards celebration, so sit back, relax and find out what to expect…
The Host: Calling all Nashies! Everyone’s favorite singer/songwriter/recovering addict/recent widow/father from Nashville will lead the night as host. Charles Esten, aka Deacon Claybourne, will host the night’s festivities for what’s sure to be a stand-out show. While he’s best know for his dramatic role on the CMT hit show, Esten did get his start on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, so we’re hoping there’s some comedic inspiration drawn from that era.
The Performers: When you have the best of the best in country music within one room together, it’s hard to get any better than that! Thankfully, artists like Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett will take the stage for a special performance all their own. The show will also feature stand-out collaborations from Florida Georgia Line with The Chainsmokers, Keith Urban with Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan with Jason Derulo, Lady Antebellum with Earth, Wind & Fire and Brothers Osborne with Peter Frampton. Jason Aldean, Charles Kelley and Darius Rucker will honor the late Gregg Allman and new acts Brett Young, Chris Lane, Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina and Midland will perform on the Firestone Stage.
The Presenters: This year’s presenters will knock your socks off! Handing out the coveted belt buckle awards will be Ashton Kutcher (The Ranch), Clare Bowen (Nashville), Danny Masterson (The Ranch), Dustin Lynch, Hoda Kotb (Today Show), Jada Pinkett Smith (Girls Trip), Johnny Galecki (Big Bang Theory), Josh Henderson (The Arrangement), Katherine Heigl (The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature), Kathie Lee Gifford (Today Show), Rachel Bilson (Nashville), RaeLynn, Reba McEntire, Bobby Bones and CMT’s Cody Alan and Katie Cook.
Most Anticipated Moments: There are plenty of things to look forward to with tonight’s awards show, but we’re looking forward to the many special collaborations taking the stage. Not only will Luke Bryan and Jason Derulo re-live their incredible CMT Crossroads special, but the series will come alive with a collaboration with Lady Antebellum and Earth, Wind & Fire, set to air at a later date. Along with the Crossroads performances, Florida Georgia Line will cross genre-boundaries when they perform with EDM sensations The Chainsmokers, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood will ‘never make us cry’ when they perform “The Fighter,” and Brothers Osborne will perform with Peter Frampton.
The Winners: Who will win the belt buckles? Time will only tell! Tune in to CMT at 8/7c as we find out who’s music videos top the rest when the 2017 CMT Music Awards take place!
See the full list of nominees HERE.
