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First Round of Performers Announced for ‘CMT Music Awards’ Including Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert & More

This year’s CMT Music Awards are gearing up to be a night to remember. CMT recently announced the first group of performers for the Awards, with several collaborations included in the announcements. 

As for joint performances, Brothers Osborne will perform alongside Dierks Bentley. Later on, Maren Morris will be joined by JP Saxe. Mickey Guyton will knock viewers out of the park with legendary R&B singer Gladys Knight. Miranda Lambert later returns to the stage with her Marfa Tapes collaborators Jack Ingram and Jon Randall. In addition, Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs will also perform during the show. 

This year’s CMT awards are set to air Wednesday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, and TV Land.

Earlier in the month, CMT announced the nominees, with Lambert and Morris leading the pack, each with four nominations. The co-hosts for the event, Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini have three. While Little Big Town and first-time nominee Guyton also have three nominations.

The CMT Music Awards are unique in that it’s the genre’s only fan-voted awards show. Fans wanting to vote can do so here. Voting continues until Tuesday, June 1 at 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT. A complete list of nominations is available here.

Kelsea Ballerini Set to Make Hosting Debut at CMT Awards

Last year, Brown hosted the show alongside Sarah Hyland. For this year’s ceremony, Ballerini will make her CMT Music Awards hosting debut. 

“I’m so excited to be hosting the 2021 CMT Music Awards with Kane! The CMT Awards are so special because they are truly fan-voted,” Ballerini said about her upcoming gig. “Following a year plus where we have not been able to be with the fans and share music together, will make this night even more special.”

“I loved getting a chance to host the CMT Music Awards last year and I’m excited to be back this year with Kelsea,” Brown said in a statement.

Further, he added, “The CMT Music Awards are special to me – it’s the first industry award I won and getting on that stage was an amazing feeling. I love that the fans get to have their voices heard as we celebrate the best in country music.”

“Kelsea and Kane are two of the brightest, most sought-after stars in country music today and we’re thrilled to welcome them both as hosts of the 2021 CMT Music Awards,” shared the show’s producers. “This dynamic duo reflects the show’s revitalized energy as live music returns to center stage in a night filled with incredible outdoor performances, cross-genre collaborations and a few surprises!”