56th annual CMT Music Awards announces this year’s nominations and winners

The 56th annual CMT Music Awards were held in Nashville, Tennessee on April 11, with hosts Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown and Anthony Mackie.

The CMT Music Awards are the only awards show in country music whose winners are entirely decided by the fans. Ballerini announced on Monday, April 11 that she had tested positive for COVID-19. She was asymptomatic and was able to co-host and perform from home. Kane Brown, who co-hosted the ceremony with Ballerini last year, returned for another year in the position and shared the main stage with Mackie in person

A new category, Trending Comeback Song of the Year, honored “iconic stars and their hits that not only stood the test of time but also recently found new popularity” owing to viral online trends. “Love Story Taylor’s Version” won Trending Comeback Song of the Year. The award marked Swift’s eighth CMT Music Award. Swift beat fellow artist-nominees Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntireSara Evans and Shania Twain.

Another major win was bagged by Carrie Underwood, dubbed the “Queen of the CMT Awards,” receiving her 24th and 25th CMT Award. She is now the most decorated artist in CMT Award history.

Along with her countless number of CMT awards, she delivered one of the most memorable performances in CMT history. Carrie Underwood recently received a Grammy nomination for her album “My Savior.” The song she performed at the CMT Music Awards was from her album “Ghost Story,” and it featured aerialists and dancers joining her as she flew through the air. Fans say it was by far the best performance by the “Queen of CMT Awards.”