Everything YOU Need To Know About the 2020 CMT Awards!

In such an unprecedented year there is a certain amount of relief when at least one thing can feel a bit “Normal” and for us, it’s covering the 2020 CMT Music Awards! While there may not be crazy crowds at the show itself, the artists are still primed and ready to give the performance of a lifetime for us, the fans that love them so much. Without further ado, here is what you can expect tomorrow night during the live broadcast of the 2020 CMT Music Awards.

CMT Music Awards
  • The “2020 CMT Music Awards” hosted by Ashley McBryde, Kane Brown and Sarah Hyland will air Wednesday, October 21st at 8PM ET/7PM CT on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, Pop and TV Land. 
  • PERFORMANCES + PRESENTERS:
    • MAIN STAGE PERFORMERS: Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Gabby Barrett, Jimmie Allen + Noah Cyrus, Kelsea Ballerini + Halsey, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs + Brooks & Dunn, Maren Morris, Morgan Wallen, Sam Hunt and Shania Twain
    • RAM TRUCKS SIDE STAGE PERFORMERS: Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Ingrid Andress, Mickey Guyton, Riley Green and Travis Denning 
    • PRESENTERS: Brandi Carlile, Demi Lovato, Diplo, Idina Menzel, Jessica Chastain, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Rob Thomas, Tanya Tucker and Taylor Swift
  • NOMINATIONS: Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett withthree nods apiece. Full nominee list here
    • Ashley McBryde: 3 nominations (Female Video of the Year, CMT Performance of the Year, Video of the Year) 
    • Dan + Shay: 3 nominations (Duo of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year, Video of the Year)
    • Kelsea Ballerini: 3 nominations (Female Video of the Year, CMT Performance of the Year, Video of the Year)
    • Luke Combs: 3 nominations (Male Video of the Year, CMT Performance of the Year, Video of the Year)  
    • Sam Hunt: 3 nominations (Male Video of the Year, CMT Performance of the Year, Video of the Year)
    • Thomas Rhett: 3 nominations (Male Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year, Video of the Year)
    • Other artists with multiple nominations include: Blanco Brown, Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion and The Chicks.
    • First-Time Nominees: Blanco Brown, Caylee Hammack, Halsey, Gabby Barrett, Gwen Stefani, Ingrid Andress, Marshmello, Riley Green, Tanya Tucker, The Highwomen, Travis Denning

  • VOTING:All winners of the “2020 CMT Music Awards” are selected by the fans, with voting for the six “Video of the Year” finalists — Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert and Tanya Tucker — continuing through in-show on October 21 at vote.cmt.com.
  • SOCIAL CATEGORY
    • QUARANTINE VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Fans can vote for their favorite video created during quarantine by swiping up on CMT’s Instagram Story through Tuesday, October 20th. Nominees include: 
      • Big & Rich – “Stay Home”
      • Brad Paisley – “No I In Beer”
      • Carly Pearce – “It Won’t Always Be Like This (The Social Distance Sessions)”
      • Charlie Worsham ft. Billy Justineau, Molly Tuttle, Rachel Loy, Jillian Jacqueline, Tucker Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Leigh Nash, Fancy Hagood, Lucie Silvas, John Osborne & Sadler Vaden – “With A Little Help From My Friends” (Beatles Cover)
      • Dave Haywood (of Lady A) & Kelli Haywood – “Just Another Day In Quarantine”
      • Dolly Parton – “When Life Is Good Again”
      • Granger Smith – “DON’T COUGH ON ME!”
      • Luke Combs – “Six Feet Apart”
      • Tenille Townes ft. Abby Anderson, Kassi Ashton, Keelan Donovan, Alex Hall, Adam Hambrick & Caylee Hammack – “Lean On Me” (Bill Withers Cover)
      • Thomas Rhett ft. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban – “Be A Light” (Fan Video)

  • PRODUCTION CREDITS: “2020 CMT Music Awards” is executive produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux, Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin and Amy Lin Johnson; the Executives in Charge of Production are Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino.

  • SPONSORS:Official sponsors of the “2020 CMT Music Awards” are Kit Kat®, Little Caesars Delivery, PEDIGREE® and the Ram Truck Brand.

About Shauna "WhiskeyChick" Castorena

Shauna "WhiskeyChick" Castorena is a freelance writer for both Country Music News and Country Music On Tour. Want to collab on some content? Email me. Want my rates for commercial promo work outside of music? Get them right here.