The CMT Music Awards is an annual, fan-voted awards show that focuses on country music videos and televised performances. The event started out in 1967, when it was known as the Music City News Awards after the now-defunct Music City News magazine, and featured categories that focused on artists themselves instead of performances. Early on, a panel of judges voted to determine the winners, but the show's now-beloved format of fan voting was instated in 1988, allowing listeners to vote for their favorite artists by phone or mail. In 2001, the show began broadcasting on CMT, where it became first the CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards and then, finally, the CMT Music Awards in 2005. By 2002, the show had fully shifted to represent a focus on music videos and televised country music performances.
- First Ceremony: 1967
- Did You Know…: Too steamy for TV?! The CMT Music Awards are a family friendly show, but between 2002 and 2006, the event included a Hottest Video of the Year category celebrating the sexiest videos in the genre. Billy Currington‘s “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” was the last video to win before the category was discontinued.
- Required Reading: Carrie Underwood is Still the Winningest Artist in CMT Music Awards History, Jennifer Nettles Receives Inaugural Equal Play Award at 2020 CMT Music Awards