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.
CMT Music Awards
Linda Martell to Be Honored With CMT Equal Play Award
She'll receive the honor at the 2021 CMT Music Awards on Wednesday (June 9).
Ingrid Andress + Chris Stapleton Added to 2021 CMT Music Awards
Ingrid Andress and Chris Stapleton will each be part of collaborative performances at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.
2021 CMT Music Awards Add Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan + More Collabs
Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett are among the artists who will be back on the annual awards show's stage, and there are six newly announced collaborations in the lineup, too.
First 2021 CMT Music Awards Performers Announced
Mickey Guyton will be performing with Gladys Knight, Miranda Lambert will team up with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall, and more.
2021 CMT Music Awards: Here Are the Nominees
Maren Morris and Miranda Lambert lead this year's list of nominees.
Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini Co-Hosting 2021 CMT Music Awards
The annual awards show is set for June 9.
Luke Combs Joins Brooks & Dunn to Kick off 2020 CMT Awards
Even he could barely believe it afterward.
Blake Shelton: Awards Shows Are 'Beginning to Lose Credibility'
"Fan-voted awards to me are really the only stand-up awards shows left in our industry."
Carrie Underwood Still Winningest Artist in CMT Awards History
With her two wins at the 2020 CMT Music Awards, Carrie Underwood re-set, and then re-set again, the record for most career wins at the awards show.