CMT has revealed the first round of performers set to take the stage at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, broadcasting live from Nashville on April 11.

Among the first set of artists are Kelsea Ballerini, who is serving as one of the evening’s co-hosts alongside Anthony Mackie, as well as Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris with Ryan Hurd, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell featuring Lainey Wilson, and Keith Urban.

Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

As previously announced, Brown leads the star-studded nominations this year with four nods; co-host Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and first-time nominees Breland and Johnson follow with three each. Tenille Arts, Priscilla Block, H.E.R., Paul Klein of Lany, MacKenzie Porter, Elvie Shane, Caitlyn Smith and Brittney Spencer also received their first CMT recognitions. Carrie Underwood remains the most decorated artist in CMT history with 23 wins, vying for two additional trophies in the Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year categories, both for her duet with Jason Aldean.

For a full list of nominations, click here.

Fan voting is now open for the 2022 CMT Music Awards, country music’s only entirely fan-voted award show. General voting ends Monday, April 4 at 9:00 a.m. CT.

This year’s show will mark the inaugural broadcast of the CMT Music Awards on the CBS Television Network. The show will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

Dolly Parton & James Patterson. Photo: JB Rowland

Dolly Parton continues to add to her busy schedule with the announcement that she will be starring in Hello Sunshine’s feature film adaptation of Run, Rose, Run, the recently released novel written by Parton with James Patterson.

Founded by Reese Witherspoon, Hello Sunshine is a media company that puts women at the center of every story it creates, celebrates and discovers. The company tells stories across all platforms-from scripted and unscripted television, feature films, animated series, podcasts, audio storytelling, and digital series. Hello Sunshine is also home to Witherspoon’s Book Club and the newly launched RBC App.

“Growing up in Nashville, I’ve loved Dolly since the moment I heard her magical voice and saw her luminous personality shine onstage. Beyond her magnetic presence as an artist and performer, she is one of the greatest songwriters and storytellers of our time. Her impact knows no bounds-as a musician, actor, writer, businesswoman, activist and all around incredible human being-Dolly Parton is not only an icon to me, but a true inspiration to women and girls everywhere,” Witherspoon explains. “My admiration for her grew to even greater heights when reading Run, Rose, Run, a gripping and heartbreaking book I couldn’t put down. I couldn’t feel more honored to be working alongside her and James to bring this remarkable story to the screen.”

Parton and Patterson will produce the feature alongside Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine’s President of Film and Television, Lauren Neustadter. Ashley Strumwasser will executive produce for Hello Sunshine.

“I’m proud, excited and honored to be working with my good friend Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine on the movie of Run, Rose, Run from the novel I co-wrote with James Patterson,” Parton says. “James and I love Reese and look forward to working with her and her wonderful team.”

“It has been a joy working with Dolly Parton on this book. It’s a great story that we are both proud of,” Patterson adds. “In partnership with Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine, we will produce a great movie.”

Run, Rose, Run, which was released earlier this month, debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list. Parton also released a companion album of the same name on March 4 through her own Butterfly Records. The album debuted at No. 1 on the country, Americana/folk and bluegrass charts.

Set in Nashville, the book centers around a young woman who comes to Music City to pursue her music-making dreams. The source of her songs is a secret she has tried desperately to hide, but the past she has fled may destroy her future.

Ernest. Photo: Delaney Royer

Big Loud’s Ernest makes the biggest country album debut this week. The singer-songwriter’s debut record, Flower Shops (The Album), comes in at No. 12 with 7.9K in total first-week consumption (1.1K album only/8.2 million song streams), according to MRC Data.

Morgan Wallen continues to dominate at the top of the country albums chart with Dangerous: The Double Album racking in 46K in total consumption (1.9K album only, 55 million song streams). Wallen also takes the fifth spot as his debut project, If I Know Me, adds 15K in total consumption. Taylor Swift remains in the second spot with Red (Taylor’s Version) gaining 19K. Luke Combs takes up the remaining spots: What You See Is What You Get takes No. 3 and This One’s For You earns No. 4 with 18K and 16K, respectively.

Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan continue to sit atop the top country streaming songs chart this week as “Buy Dirt” adds another 6.3 million streams, according to MRC data. Walker Hayes‘ “AA” jumps to No. 2 with 5.6 million streams, while “Fancy Like” drops down one spot to No. 3 gaining 5.6 million streams. Cody Johnson‘s “Til You Can’t” remains steady at No. 4, earning 5.6 million streams. Combs seals the top five with his current single “Doin’ This,” adding 5.4 million streams.

Dierks Bentley has added a summer leg to his “Beers On Me” tour. The multi-Platinum entertainer will visit over 31 cities as the extended trek launches June 3 in Wilmington, North Carolina with special guests Ashley McBryde and Travis Denning. The beloved vocalist will also bring his show to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Aug. 26.

Verizon will offer an exclusive presale in the U.S for select markets through the customer loyalty program Verizon Up. Members will have first access to purchase presale tickets from March 22-24. Public on sale will begin this Friday (March 25) at dierks.com.

“A bunch of friends, ice cold beer and good country music is just about all you need for a perfect summer,” shares Bentley. “Every year when we plan a tour, I think this summer is going to the best yet…and this year is no different! I’m excited to have Ashley and Travis jump on this leg of the ‘Beers On Me Tour’…now just counting the days ’til June!”