The 2023 Country Music Television (CMT) Music Awards ceremony was a night to remember for all music enthusiasts held on April 2, 2023, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The event aired live on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+. Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini co-hosted the show that celebrated and recognized the best talents in country music. The star-studded show featured dazzling performances from Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and many other top performers.
Lainey Wilson Dominates with Four Nominations
Lainey Wilson stole the spotlight as she garnered four nominations for the 2023 CMT Music Awards. She took home two awards for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year and CMT Digital-first Performance of the Year. Other top nominees included Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, and Cody Johnson with three nominations each.
Shania Twain Receives CMT Equal Play Award
Country music legend Shania Twain was honored with the CMT Equal Play Award for her efforts in promoting diversity and elevating underrepresented voices in country music. This award is presented to those who have made significant contributions to support gender equality in the music industry. Twain thanked her fans during her acceptance speech, stating that “we all need to stand up and make sure that everyone gets equal opportunities.”
Couple Goals – Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton Make Red Carpet Debut
The 2023 CMT Music Awards also saw a major highlight when power couple Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton attended together for the first time on a red carpet event. They showed off their elegance wearing black suits during their grand entrance. Stefani wowed everyone as she performed on stage for the first time ever at the CMT awards, singing a duet with Shelton’s tour opener Carly Pearce, who rocked the night in a pink suit.
Winners of Various Categories Announced
Announcing the winners for different categories was amongst the major highlights of the 2023 CMT Music Awards. Zac Brown Band won Group/Duo Video of the Year, while Jelly Roll took home Breakthrough Male Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year (with Lainey Wilson). Moreover, Blake Shelton won his second Video of the Year award with his hit single “No Body.”
Carrie Underwood clinched her 26th win as a nominee for Video of the Year, which she eventually lost to Blake Shelton. The winner list also featured Gabby Barrett as Female Video of the Year awardee for “The Good Ones.”
High-Octane Performances Light up the CMT Stage
The 2023 CMT Music Awards ceremony featured several electrifying performances from country music’s biggest stars. Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton sang “Nobody But You,” while Carrie Underwood performed “Before He Cheats,” leaving fans awestruck. Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, and Alanis Morissette also took to the stage with amazing performances that gave everyone goosebumps.
In conclusion, fans, musicians, and industry executives alike were blown away by what has become one of the most memorable CMT Awards ceremonies in recent years. From the dazzling red carpet looks to incredible performances by top stars in country music, this year’s event was a testament to the power and magic of great music.
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