2017 CMT Music Awards Winners List and Live Blog

Hosted by Charles Esten, the 2017 CMT Music Awards will broadcast LIVE from Nashville tonight, June 7th at 8:00 PM ET/PT. And we’re live blogging all of the performances and winners right here.

Lauren Alaina, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton and more are nominated. Carrie, who holds the title of most CMT Music Awards wins, nabs three nominations this year. Newbie Lauren earned THREE. And Keith got four (tying for the most nominations with Kelsea Ballerini and Thomas Rhett). Blake got one.

Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Lauren Alaina are set to perform.

The show opens with a tribute to the late Gregg Allman, featuring Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Derek Trucks singing “Midnight Rider.” And yeah…it’s stellar.

Next, it’s a video package featuring host Charles Esten and his Nashville cast, interrupted by Darius Rucker and hijinks ensue. Kellie Pickler makes an appearance. It’s CMT stars are us, basically. 

Next, Charles delivers a little intro that includes chat about Nashville and some ra ra about the Nashville Predators. As a Pittsburgh native, I’m just gonna keep my mouth shut. In any case, the bits so far are pretty lame. PLEASE START HANDING OUT AWARDS I’M BEGGING YOU.

Finally, Charles introduces Rachel Bilson and Dustin Lynch. They present Group Video of the Year to Little Big Town for “Better Man.”

Next, Cody Allen and Katie Cook from CMT are out with the crowd in front of the venue where some of the acts will perform.  They introduce Peter Frampton and Brothers Osborne who deliver the first of tonight’s cross-genre performances. They perform “It’s Not My Fault” with FRAMPTON COMING ALIVE on the guitar. After, Charles makes a bad emoji joke.

Jon Pardi performs “Dirt on My Boots” on the Firestone stage. And like they usually do, the side stage performers only serve as a brief outro to the commercial break. Twenty five minutes without a break. That would never happen on a broadcast network.

Oh noes. More bits. This one involves Carrie Underwood. They joke is that she’s holding a microphone, ready to take the stage and host.  And next, Miranda Lambert is here to perform “Pink Sunglasses.”  The audience has been outfitted with pink sunglasses. All that’s missing is Darren Criss. Cute song. Kind of a throwaway, but cute.

Charles co-star, Clare Bowen joins him on stage.  They pimp the Social Superstar category which YOU can still vote for. The next presenters: Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. Holding glasses of wine, of course. Weird joke that involves Hoda stepping out with Blake Shelton. Who is writing this crap? They present Performance of the Year to Jason Derulo and Luke Bryan. The performance was from their Crossroads special. 

After the break, Thomas Rhett takes the stage to sing his hit “Craving You.”  He’s got chick dancers behind him. This is pretty close to a pop performance. 

Reba McEntire is here! She presents Breakthrough Video of the Year to Lauren Alaina for Road Less Traveled!!!! Congratulations, girl. She’s shocked, of course. Like out of her mind. “I’m not good at this, I don’t know what to do!” Says Lauren. “I’m so nervous!” 

Next…it’s Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood performing an acoustic version of their song “The Fighter.” Very nice. Keith is on one end of the stage playing electric guitar, Carrie is on the very. A slide guitar is added to the arrangement. Carrie’s strong voice shining here. She’s wearing black leather pants under a flouncy white dress. On the third chorus, the band and the tempo kick in. Nicole Kidman rocks out in the audience!

After, the Chainsmokers and Florida Georgia Line perform together. They both represent the worst of their respective genres, if you ask me. Blech. The perform the Chainsmokers “Last Day Alive.”  TIME FOR A SNACK BREAK.

More blah blah about Preds Fever.  Charles says, “One of our own is married to a Pred.” With Carrie sitting right there, the camera cuts to Lauren Alaina sitting next to the Preds mascot. “Where’s your mic now?” quips Charles.

RaeLynn and Josh Henderson are here to introduce Blake Shelton. Who calls what he sings “Hick Hop”. Hm. Blake sings “Everytime I Hear that Song.”  What, no reaction shots of Miranda Lambert in the audience?

Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson from That 70’s Show are on Stage. Ashton holds up a catfish. Which is a thing a Preds fan will understand. They present Collaborative Video of the Year and it goes to Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood for “The Fighter!”  Congrats. 

Katherine Heigl directed her husband, Josh Kelley’s music video. So I guess that’s why she’s here.  She presents the Male Video of the Year to Keith Urban for “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”  It’s a good night for American Idol related artists! Aw he thanks a beaming Nicole Kidman.

Oh boy. More jokes. Please stop. Charles is wearing a “male romper.” It’s supposed to be funny or something. He introduces Brett Eldredge who sings “Somethin’ I’m Good At.” I’m pretty sure he’s drunk. 

Next Lauren Alaina performs “Road Less Traveled” on the Firestone. You know what that means. We’ll only hear like, a second of the song. 

Johnny Galecki from Big Bang Theory is next to present Duo Video of the Year. And it goes to Florida Georgia Line for “H.O.L.Y.”

The Ryman just celebrated their 125th anniversary, and the next act, Little Big Town, is the first act to have a residency at the storied venue.  They hit the stage to sing “When Someone Stops Loving You.”

Blake Shelton is on stage to present the award he won last year, “Social Superstar” to…Keith Urban. Next Jason Derulo and Luke Bryan, who sing a couple of songs. Bryan going R&B is actually a little embarrassing. They saunter through the audience as they sing “Want to Want Me.” 

Jada Pinkett Smith is next. She thanks Nashville for being awesome. OK.  She presents Female Video of the Year to Carrie Underwood for Church Bells. WHOO HOO. She holds on to her record of most  video award wins. She finishes her thank you speech, after she thanks God, her fans and family with “Go Preds!”

The next performer, playing outside, is Kelsea Ballerini, who performs “Legends.”

Midland take the Firestone stage next. Forty seconds later, we’re out to commercial.

It’s the last award of the night! Kid Rock presents Video of the Year to Keith Urban for “Blue is Your Color.”  Keith delivers a lovely thank you speech about how art is about connection.  The night ends with a performance from Lady Antebellum with Earth Wind and Fire. They sing “You Look Good” before introducing Earth Wind and Fire. They all sing a personal fave “September.” And that’s it kiddos.

Those legs! @carrieunderwood is looking absolutely fab tonight! https://t.co/kwcDZdMLHT #CMTawards pic.twitter.com/qqGOHJA4lC

— ExtraTV (@extratv) June 7, 2017

The lovely and talented @Lauren_Alaina and @DBradbery! ?? #CMTawards pic.twitter.com/QcVlAgQIS4

— CMT (@CMT) June 7, 2017

Whoa. Lovely dress, @kelliepickler! #CMTAwards pic.twitter.com/qFx1RkSQlV

— Jason Scott (@JasontheScott) June 7, 2017

.@KeithUrban and Nicole Kidman continue to be #couplegoals! https://t.co/kwcDZdMLHT#CMTawards pic.twitter.com/iuiSleTaxu

— ExtraTV (@extratv) June 7, 2017

2017 CMT Music Awards Winners List

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

• Artists of Then, Now & Forever – “Forever Country”
• Carrie Underwood – “Church Bells”
• Cole Swindell –“Middle Of A Memory”
• Florida Georgia Line –“H.O.L.Y.”
• Keith Urban – “Blue Ain’t Your Color”” – WINNER
• Luke Bryan – “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day”
• Miranda Lambert – “Vice”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

• Blake Shelton – “Came Here To Forget”
• Eric Church – “Record Year”
• Jason Aldean – “Lights Come On”
• Keith Urban – “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – WINNER
• Luke Bryan – “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day”
• Thomas Rhett – “Star Of The Show”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

• Carrie Underwood – “Church Bells” – WINNER
• Kelsea Ballerini – “Peter Pan”
• Lauren Alaina – “Road Less Traveled”
• Maren Morris – “80s Mercedes”
• Miranda Lambert – “Vice”
• Reba McEntire – “Back To God”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

• Big & Rich feat. Tim McGraw – “Lovin’ Lately”
• Brothers Osborne – “21 Summer”
• Dan + Shay – “How Not To”
• Florida Georgia Line – “H.O.L.Y.” – WINNER
• LoCash – “I Know Somebody”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

• Eli Young Band – “Saltwater Gospel”
• Lady Antebellum – “You Look Good”
• Little Big Town – “Better Man” – WINNER
• Midland – “Drinkin’ Problem”
• Old Dominion – “Song For Another Time”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

• Brett Young – “In Case You Didn’t Know”
• Jon Pardi – “Dirt On My Boots”
• Kane Brown – “Used To Love You Sober”
• Lauren Alaina – “Road Less Traveled” – WINNER
• Luke Combs – “Hurricane”
• RaeLynn – “Love Triangle”

COLLABORATION VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists

• Artists of Then, Now & Forever – “Forever Country”
• Chris Young feat. Vince Gill – “Sober Saturday Night”
• Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King –  “Different For Girls”
• Florida Georgia Line feat. Tim McGraw – “May We All”
• Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood – “The Fighter” – WINNER
• Kenny Chesney with P!nk – “Setting The World On Fire”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

• Jason Aldean – “Hicktown” (From CMT Concert of the Summer)
• Jason Derulo and Luke Bryan – “Want To Want Me” (From CMT Crossroads) – WINNER
• John Mellencamp and Darius Rucker – “Pink Houses” (From CMT Crossroads)
• Alicia Keys and Maren Morris – “80s Mercedes” (From CMT Crossroads)
• Meghan Trainor, Jill Scott and Kelsea Ballerini – “You’re Still The One/Any Man of Mine/Man I Feel Like A Woman” (from CMT Artists of the Year)
• Nick Jonas and Thomas Rhett – Close (From CMT Crossroads)

SOCIAL SUPERSTAR OF THE YEAR
Most creative and engaging social media posts by an artist; awarded to the artist

• Brett Eldredge
• Jake Owen
• Keith Urban – WINNER
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Lauren Alaina
• Thomas Rhett