NASHVILLE, Tenn. — “Son of a Sinner” singer Jelly Roll was the big winner at the CMT Music Awards, as the rapper-turned-country singer took home three awards on Sunday as an outsider who won over fans with his confessional songs.
The tattooed singer became emotional on the show that aired in Austin, Texas, which was broadcast on CBS and the singer thanked the country music industry for its support and yelled out to all who were like him.
“You can be whatever you want to be. I promise you that. I told them that I wanted to be a country singer and I am standing here at the CMT Awards with the male video of the year, baby,” the singer yelled.
Then, earlier in the night He brought a choir to sing his prayer-themed tune “Need a Favor” and prompted the audience to join hands on the ceiling.
The program began with a sad note when country music star and co-host Kelsea Ballerini read out the names of six victims of an attack on a school that took place on the previous day at Nashville, Tennessee. She also spoke about how she felt the pain of those killed, stating that in 2008, she witnessed the shooting at the cafeteria at her school in Knoxville and was praying to see “real action” that would ensure the safety of children and their families. Later in the evening, singers from country were wearing dark-colored ribbons at the Red Carpet to pay tribute to those who were killed in the incident.
However, the show emphasized nostalgia as the show merged blues, rock and country straight from the center of Texas with songs and tributes, as well as popular new artists and fan-favorite songs.
Country star with five times Grammy award winner Shania Twain received the presented with Shania Twain the Equal Play Award, recognizing her as an “visible and vocal advocate” for the voices of diverse people in the world of country music. Texas born and Grammy winning singer Megan Thee Stallion introduced Twain and the two sang and danced to the hit song by Twain, “Man, I Feel like I’m a Woman. “
The lyrics of the song were a key element to a long-running campaigning career, Twain said.
“I promise I will continue to champion the many outstanding country artists that are not currently played, they are not currently streamed, toured, signed or awarded at the level they deserve,” Twain stated. “I believe in an all-inclusive country music.”
Lainey Wilson was awarded twice for Female Video of the Year “Heart Like a Truck” and the most collaborative song of the year “Wait in the Truck” with HARDY.
“My heart is ’bout to beat right out my chest, I’ll be honest with y’all,” Wilson stated after being awarded the title of female music video of the year. saying the hit track is an anthem to get through all the “scratches, the dents and the bumps along the way.”
The co-host Kane Brown took home the final award of the evening along with his wife Katelyn the winning award for the best video of the year in the category of their duet “Thank God.”
“This is all so new to me. And when we recorded this song a year ago, I never in my life would ever think this was ever going to happen,” Katelyn Brown said.
Then, in the show, Ballerini took the stage surrounded by drag artists in the midst of a debate as states across the nation consider legal the limitations on drag show performances. The Tennessee native performed “If You Go Down (I’m Going Down Too)” and performed a dance with Kennedy Davenport, Jan Sport, Manila Luzon and Olivia Lux All of them stars on the show “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Tennessee was the very first state to impose strict restrictions on drag shows that were to go into effect on the 1st of March. The law was temporarily suspended due to a lawsuit filed earlier in the week.
Collaborations were the main focus throughout the duration of the show’s three hours. the Country Music Hall Of Fame’s Wynonna Judd and Ashley McBryde performed a cover of Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love is” as thick fog fell over the stage and over the audience.
Pop singer Stefani was on stage to perform in her No Doubt mid-1990s pop-punk hit “Just a Girl” alongside country singer Carly Pearce. Singer Alanis Morissette brought a lot music from the ’90s on stage for the group performing “You Oughta Know” featuring Wilson, Ingrid Andress, Madeline Edwards and Morgan Wade.
Carrie Underwood, the most-awarded artist in CMT history with a record-breaking 25 awards, sang “Hate My Heart” as fireworks illuminated the Austin night. A four-time Grammy award-winner Clark Jr. performed a tribute to deceased Texas musician Stevie Ray Vaughn at the top of the night.
Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd received a deserved recognition by a tribute show following the passing of their most famous members, Gary Rossington. ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Slash of Guns N’ Roses , and The Allman Brothers’ Warren Haynes and Chuck Leavell wrapped the show with the singers Paul Rodgers and Cody Johnson as well as backup vocals from LeAnn Rimes as well as Judd.
