In Pictures: 2019 CMT Artists Of The Year
Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett were honored as 2019’s CMT Artists of the Year, while Ashley McBryde was celebrated as Breakout Artist of the Year and Reba McEntire feted as Artist of a Lifetime last night (Oct. 16).
Several moments had the audience in tears, including Kane Brown’s heartfelt speech, dedicating his CMT Artists of the Year win to his late drummer Kenny Dixon, who died Saturday (Oct. 12).
.@kanebrown dedicated his award to his drummer Kenny Dixon.
Rest in Peace Kenny. The country community will remember you. ?#CMTAOTY pic.twitter.com/gSFV07Ae3Z
— CMT (@CMT) October 17, 2019
Later, as he was accepting his own CMT Artists of the Year honor, Thomas Rhett took time to pray for Brown, his family, and his team, as many in the audience helped lift them up in prayer. Thomas Rhett’s wife Lauren Akins introduced her husband and second-time honoree before he performed “Dream You Never Had.”
Thank YOU @ThomasRhett for such a special speech last night ?
Catch up on #CMTAOTY on demand now! pic.twitter.com/O5TPSIsRbW
— CMT (@CMT) October 17, 2019
Actor Lonnie Chavis (This Is Us) introduced special guest Chris Young, who performed his moving song, “Drowning.” Young penned the song after the death of one of his close friends, and performed it in honor of Dixon.
Dan + Shay’s mega-watt rendition of “Tequila” started the show, while Bobby Bones welcomed the audiences tuning in from home, as well as those assembled at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Tori Kelly, who previously collaborated with the duo on their hit “Speechless,” presented Dan + Shay with their first CMT Artists of the Year honor.
“We’re so grateful to be part of the country music family.”@DanAndShay have had an INCREDIBLE year. So proud of them ? #CMTAOTY pic.twitter.com/4jfJA5pH6N
— CMT (@CMT) October 17, 2019
Fellow first-time honoree Luke Combs accepted his honor via a taped acceptance video. This Is Us star Chrissy Metz then took the stage to offer a rendition of Combs’ “Even Though I’m Leaving.”
? @ChrissyMetz’ cover of @lukecombs’ “Even Though I’m Leaving” just gave me GOOSEBUMPS. ❤️ #CMTAOTY pic.twitter.com/1Z7erFkDE6
— CMT (@CMT) October 17, 2019
Carrie Underwood offered a performance of two of her classics, “Two Black Cadillacs,” and “Blown Away,” live via satellite from a stop on her current Cry Pretty Tour 360 in Cleveland, Ohio. Her tourmates Maddie & Tae introduced the performance and presented Underwood with her fifth Artists of the Year trophy in front of thousands of fans.
?QUEEN CARRIE ?
Congratulations @carrieunderwood on your FIFTH Artist of the Year win ? #CMTAOTY pic.twitter.com/MTyJpfp029
— CMT (@CMT) October 17, 2019
Kid Rock honored Ashley McBryde with her Breakout Artist of the Year honor. McBryde then performed her latest single, “One Night Standards,” for the first time on television, and offered her own heartfelt thanks to those who have championed her career.
SO happy for @AshleyMcBryde ??
Watch #CMTAOTY on demand now! pic.twitter.com/kP3Ilf2mrY
— CMT (@CMT) October 17, 2019
Lady Antebellum honored Reba McEntire with a performance of Reba’s “Is There Life Out There,” before Vince Gill presented his ‘friend of a lifetime’ with her CMT Artist of a Lifetime honor. Sam Hunt then surprised everyone by taking the stage to perform McEntire’s signature song “Fancy.”
FOREVER A LEGEND ?❤️
Congratulations @reba on Artist of a Lifetime ? #CMTAOTY pic.twitter.com/R4rm4N77Ju
— CMT (@CMT) October 17, 2019
?WHAT A NIGHT! ?@SamHuntMusic closed out #CMTAOTY with a salute @reba ? pic.twitter.com/l05RdDaEEI
— CMT (@CMT) October 17, 2019
“2019 CMT Artists of the Year” will re-air Friday, October 18 at 7:30 a.m. ET; Saturday, October 19 at 1 a.m. ET; and Sunday, October 20 at noon ET; the full show is available for viewing now via CMT.com.
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