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Who is performing at the 2023 CMT Music Awards: Carrie Underwood, Gwen Stefani, LeAnn Rimes & more

The 2023 CMT Awards will also feature some unmissable tributes

Jenni McKnight
US Lifestyle Editor
March 31, 2023
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The 2023 CMT Music Awards are almost upon us and country music's biggest party has moved to Austin, Texas.

The CMTs are an entirely fan-voted awards show, and the three-hour ceremony promises to deliver an unforgettable night with some epic performances expected. The stellar line-up includes Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Gwen Stefani – who will make her CMT Awards stage debut – and so many more.

WATCH: The final nominations for CMTs Video of the Year are in

Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 CMT Music Awards…

Who is hosting the 2023 CMT Music Awards?

cmt awards hosts kane brown kelsea ballerini photoshoot cmt music awards 2023

Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini will return as hosts for another year. This is Kelsea's third consecutive year as co-host, while Kane has taken on the task four times.

SEE: Carrie Underwood's stunning transformation revealed ahead of 2023 CMT Awards

Exclusive: Lainey Wilson reveals unexpected plans for her future after Yellowstone success

When are the 2023 CMT Music Awards?

The 2023 CMT Music Awards will air live from Austin, TX's Moody Center for the first time ever this Sunday, April 2nd, from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET/PT.

How to watch the 2023 CMT Music Awards?

You can watch the ceremony on the CBS Television Network and it's also available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.

Who is performing at the 2023 CMT Music Awards?

gwen stefani the voice performance© Getty Images
Gwen Stefani will make her CMT Music Awards debut

The question should really be who isn't performing. This year's line-up is one of the best yet, with performances due from Blake SheltonCarly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, The Black Crowes and Darius Rucker, Tyler Hubbard, and Wynonna Judd and Ashley McBryde.

Gwen Stefani will make her CMT Awards debut with a special one-of-a-kind performance alongside Carly Pearce for the duo's first-ever on-stage collaboration.

alanis morissette jagged little pill anniversary event© Getty Images
Alanis Morissette will perform her anthem You Oughta Know

Also making her CMT Music Awards debut will be Alanis Morissette, who will be joined by Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson, Madeline Edwards, and Morgan Wade for a can't-miss performance of ultimate female-empowerment anthem 'You Oughta Know'.

There are also some incredible tributes lined-up. Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Cody Johnson, Paul Rodgers, Slash, and Warren Haynes will honor Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member Gary Rossington, who died on March 5, 2023, with LeAnn Rimes and Wynonna Judd joining as 'The Honkettes'.

Legendary songwriter, singer, guitarist, and producer Gary Clark Jr. will perform a one-of-a-kind tribute to late Texas Blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Who is presenting at the 2023 CMT Music Awards?

carrie underwood performance 2022 cmt music awards© Getty Images
Carrie Underwood will present and perform at the 2023 CMT Music Awards

Presenters at this year's ceremony include Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Carly Pearce, Charles Esten, Dixie D'Amelio, Dustin Lynch, HARDY, Jon Pardi, and LeAnn Rimes.

Also on hand to dish out some awards are Yellowstone stars Ian Bohen and Jen Landon, Outerbanks actress Madison Bailey, Fire Country's Max Thieriot, Megan Thee Stallion, Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp, Parker McCollum, Peter Frampton, Steve Howey, and Travis Kelce.

Who is nominated at the 2023 CMT Music Awards?

lainey wilson red carpet cmt music awards 2022© Getty Images

 Lainey Wilson leads the nominations with four, including the highly coveted Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year, and CMT Performance of the Year.

Artists with three nods this year include Cody Johnson, first-time nominee Jelly Roll and co-host Kane Brown. Other nominees include Kane's co-host Kelsea, Carrie Underwood – who is the most-awarded artist in CMT Awards history with 25 wins – Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Ashley McBryde, Morgan Wallen, Elle King, Jimmy Allen, Maren Morris, HARDY, Luke Combs, Darius Rucker, and Chris Stapleton.

Who is being honored at the 2023 CMT Music Awards?

shania twain accepting award 2016 cmt music awards© Getty Images

Shania Twain will receive the CMT Equal Play Award, which "recognizes an artist who is a visible and vocal advocate for elevating diverse and underrepresented voices in country music." She is the third musician to earn the honor, along with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Linda Martell.

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