The biggest moments in CMT Music Awards history

Originally known as the Music City News Awards, the ceremony that would evolve into the CMT Music Awards aired for the first time live from Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop in Nashville. Among the winners in 1967 were country icons Merle Haggard and Loretta Lynn. 

Prior to 1988, a panel of judges determined the winners of the The Nashville Network’s Viewers' Choice Awards, a predecessor to the CMT Music Awards. That year the system switched to allow fans to vote for their favorite artists via mail or phone, and in 1990 the Viewers Choice Awards merged with the Music City News Awards to create what would eventually become the CMT Music Awards. 

In 2005, the CMT Music Awards as they exist today came into being. Prior to that the show had been called a number of names over the decades, including its inaugural moniker, Music City News Awards, and the more recent CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards. 

Introduced in 2002, the Hottest Video of the Year category was a slight departure from country’s typically family-friendly bent. The category, which highlighted the year’s sexiest performances from male and female artists, boasts winners like Tim McGraw’s “She’s My Kind of Rain” and “Whiskey Girl” by Toby Keith. The award was discontinued after 2006, the year Billy Currington won for “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right.” 

Shortly after the death of iconic country artist Johnny Cash, the CMT Music Awards created the Johnny Cash Visionary Award, a trophy presented to artists who have made significant contributions to the genre. Though the award existed for only four years, it was a high honor for its winners. That’s especially true for Kris Kristofferson, the final recipient of the award, who called Cash his “hero, inspiration and champion” in his acceptance speech. 

During the 2006 CMT Awards, Keith Urban delivered a truly touching tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Joined by choral singers who were displaced by the hurricane, Urban’s performance of “Better Life” brought a tear to even the most cynical of eyes. 

To connect with the thousands of fans streaming into Nashville during CMA Week, the CMT Music Awards moved from April to June in 2009. 

There may be no more iconic CMT Music Awards performance than Willie Nelson’s 2012 collaboration with Toby Keith, the Zac Brown Band, Darius Rucker and Jamey Johnson to perform a smoky, rollicking version of Nelson’s “Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die.” 

Before fully transitioning into a pop superstar, Taylor Swift gave a seriously epic performance at the 2013 CMT Music Awards, fully establishing herself as the genre’s next big crossover star. Clad in a red, corset-style dress and rocking an equally vibrant guitar, Swift brought the house down with a performance of her song “Red.” 

Featuring Justin Bieber, Arnold “The Terminator” Schwarzenegger and Rick Springfield, the deeply bizarre “Guuber” short film remains one of the quirkiest (and goofiest) moments in CMT Music Awards history. 

As country music was heading increasingly in the direction of pop, many traditionalist fans were dismayed when the 2016 CMT Music Awards featured performances from pop acts Fifth Harmony and Leona Lewis, reggaeton artist Pitbull and ‘80s rock band Cheap Trick. 

In 2017, Carrie Underwood became the winningest artist in CMT Music Awards history when she took home Female Video of the Year (“Church Bells”) and Collaborative Video of the Year for “The Fighter,” her chart-topping duet with Keith Urban. Those two trophies brought Underwood’s total number of wins to 18 — more than any other artist in history. 

While accepting the award for Group Video of the Year at the 2019 CMT Music Awards, Zac Brown Band frontman Zac Brown had some harsh words for his "haters." "For you young artists: have courage to stand up against the machine, be yourself, work hard, and one day you can stand up here and tell the haters to @#$%&! off," Brown said at the end of his fiery acceptance speech. 

An artist who's been woefully underrated throughout her career, Tanya Tucker showcased why many think she's one of the genre's most legendary singers with a rendition of her iconic 1972 song "Delta Dawn." Joined by Lauren Alaina, Martina McBride, Carly Pearce, Raelynn, Trisha Yearwood, and Deana Carter, it was a truly special moment. 

At the 2021 CMT Awards, Chris Stapleton joined guitar-wielding R&B superstar H.E.R. for an incredible rendition of her song "Hold On." It was the best performance of the night, and introduced H.E.R. to a whole new audience of fans. 

Just days before Naomi Judd tragically died by suicide in Tennessee, she gave her final performance alongside daughter Wynonna at the 2022 CMT Awards. Fittingly, the duo performed their iconic song "Love Can Build A Bridge," alongside a gospel choir. Shortly after Judd's death, the duo was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, with Wynonna and sister Ashley Judd accepting the honor.