Kelsey Ballerini, middle, performs “If You Go Down (I’m Going Down To Both)” with drag queens Manila Luzon (from left), Jan Sport, Olivia Lux and Kennedy Davenport at the CMT Music Awards on April 2 in Austin, Texas at the Moody Heart. Evan Agostini/Related Press
Nation singer Kelsea Ballerini opens the CMT Music Awards with a tribute to the victims of a college capturing whereas taking part in that neighborhood’s grief, then dances with drag performers as states round the nation take into account holding drag exhibits Do – prohibit appearances by legislation.
Ballerini, who co-hosted the annual awards ceremony with singer Kane Brown, started the present in Austin, Texas, by itemizing the names of six victims — three adults and three 9-year-olds — who had been killed Monday at Covenant Faculty in Nashville. They went. Tennessee. Noting how she shared her ache, she defined that she witnessed a cafeteria capturing at her hometown highschool in Knoxville in 2008 and prayed for “real action” that might preserve youngsters and households secure.
Practically two hours into the fan-voted awards ceremony, the Tennessee native sang “If You Go Down (I’m Going Down To)” and danced with the present’s all-stars Kennedy Davenport, Jen Sport, Manila Luzon and Olivia Lux. RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Her dwelling state of Tennessee was the first to impose stricter limits on drag present appearances, which had been set to enter impact this month. The legislation has been quickly placed on maintain after a lawsuit was filed earlier this week.
Nation famous person and five-time Grammy winner Shania Twain has acquired the Equal Play Award, which acknowledges her as a “visible and vocal advocate” for various voices in nation music. Texas-born Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion launched Twain, and the pair danced to Twain’s hit “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” and embraced.
Twain mentioned that the tune’s lyrics turned the interlude of a decades-long advocacy profession.
Twain mentioned, “I promise that I will stand up for the many outstanding country artists who are not currently being given the play, stream, tour, sign, or recognition they deserve.” “I believe in an inclusive country music.”
Main nominee Lainie Wilson took dwelling an early win for Feminine Video of the 12 months for “Heart Like a Truck” and Group Video of the 12 months for “Wet in the Truck” with Hardy.
“My heart is about to jump out of my chest, I just want to be honest with all of you,” Wilson mentioned after successful Feminine Video of the 12 months. Distant.”
This 12 months’s CMT Music Awards introduced nation, rock and blues straight from the coronary heart of Texas, together with collaborations with Alanis Morissette, The Black Crowes, Gwen Stefani and Gary Clark Jr., and tributes to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Nation Music Corridor of Fame members Winona Judd and Ashley Judd carried out a canopy of Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” as a thick fog enveloped the stage and crowd.
Pop singer Stefani carried out the plain pop-punk hit “Just a Girl” in the mid-Nineties with nation singer Carly Pearce. Two-time winners Jelly Roll introduced out a refrain to their prayer tune “Need a Favor” and impressed the crowd to boost their fingers to the ceiling.
Carrie Underwood has an opportunity to increase her file as the most awarded artist in CMT historical past with 25 awards. Underwood, who may even carry out, was once more nominated for Video of the 12 months for “Hate My Heart”.
4-time Grammy winner Clark Jr. paid tribute to late Texas guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan earlier than the present.
Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd are to be honored with a tribute efficiency following the dying of final unique member Gary Rossington in March. ZZ Prime’s Billy Gibbons, Slash of Weapons N’ Roses and The Allman Brothers’ Warren Haynes and Chuck Leavell will carry out with singers Paul Rodgers and Cody Johnson, with backing vocals by LeAnn Rimes and Judd.