The CMT Music Awards got off to a "wild" start on Monday night (April 11). Keith Urban kicked off the evening's festivities with a spirited performance of his song "Wild Hearts," off his as-yet-untitled 12th studio album.

"From everywhere, all around the world, this is where they come," Urban said via voiceover  a pre-song segment that showed the superstar walking Broadway in Nashville. "Guitars in hand and songs in hearts, they're all dreamers, ready to fly."

Urban co-wrote the country-rock track with Eric Paslay, Jennifer Wayne and Brad Tursi and co-produced it with Mitch Furr.

At the CMT Music Awards, Urban performed the song with a full band n front of a backdrop with enough neon signage to power Music City.

"This goes out to the drifters, all of the dreamers here tonight," he sang after a swaggering guitar solo, gesturing to an audience that included wife Nicole Kidman.

The program was thrown for a loop with the announcement that Kelsea Ballerini, who was slated to host, tested positive for COVID-19 hours before the show was set to start. With help from Anthony Mackie and Kane Brown, Ballerini still managed to perform a fair share of hosting duties live from her living room. Luke Combs, who was scheduled to perform with Brown, also tested positive for COVID-19 before the show and was unable to attend.

The 2022 CMT Music Awards were held at the Municipal Auditorium in Downtown Nashville. The program aired on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+.

2022 CMT Music Awards Red Carpet - Best Dressed + More!

Photos from the 2022 CMT Music Awards red carpet find country music's biggest stars and hottest newcomers trading in formal attire for vibrant spring or summer fashions. Neon and purple were the most popular colors for country women on the CMT red carpet. See pictures of Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Little Big Town, Kane Brown and more, plus their spouses!

 

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