Everything You Need to Know About Tonight’s “CMT Artists of the Year” Special

by Jim Casey | @TheJimCasey | October 17, 2018

From honorees and awards to performers and presenters, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about CMT’s Artists of the Year television special.

Date: Oct. 17

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Location: Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Television Station: CMT

Honorees: CarrieUnderwood, Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott

Artist of a Lifetime Award: Loretta Lynn, presented by Sissy Spacek

Performers: Carrie Underwood with Maddie & Tae and Runaway June; The Pistol Annies; Kelsea Ballerini with Alison Krauss; Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman with Gladys Knight; Hillary Scott with Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin; Maren Morris with Brandi Carlile; Dierks Bentley and Martina McBride with Sheryl Crow

Presenters: Keith Urban, Smokey Robinson, Elle King, Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, Trisha Yearwood and Sheryl Crow

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Blogs

Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, "Burned Down Heaven," has a similar effect…

Chase McDaniel Shares Insight Into His Debut Radio Single, “Burned Down Heaven”

Lainey Wilson will make her feature film debut in the Universal adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Reminders of Him. The Grammy-winning country superstar will join a star-studded cast that includes Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, and Lauren Graham, with the film set to be directed by Vanessa Caswill. This won’t be Wilson’s first…

Lainey Wilson Set To Make Feature Film Debut In Colleen Hoover’s ‘Reminders Of Him’

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kacey Musgraves clarified her previous comments on her marijuana use, revealing that she still smokes, though not to the extent she did when she was younger. “I never said I don't ever partake,” says the 36-year-old singer. “I just don't wake up and hit a gravity bong…

Kacey Musgraves Says She Still Smokes Weed, Reveals She’s Working On New Music

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kacey Musgraves clarified her previous comments on her marijuana use, revealing that she still smokes, though not to the extent she did when she was younger. “I never said I don’t ever partake,” says the 36-year-old singer. “I just don’t wake up and hit a gravity bong…

Reba McEntire has been one of the top female country stars since the '80s, but she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of her dedicated fans. In the new Variety cover feature on McEntire as part of their Power Of Women Nashville issue, the 70-year-old country music icon says she owes everything to…

Reba McEntire Thanks Her Fans For Her Legendary Music Career

Reba McEntire has been one of the top female country stars since the ’80s, but she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of her dedicated fans. In the new Variety cover feature on McEntire as part of their Power Of Women Nashville issue, the 70-year-old country music icon says she owes everything to…

In a new interview with Variety for their Power of Women Nashville issue, Sheryl Crow reflected on the evolving landscape of women in music, while celebrating the rise of young and talented female musicians. “The caliber of writing is just so good with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Phoebe Bridgers, and these women are not…