The 2023 CMT Music Awards will feature the best talents in country music!
On Tuesday, more performers for the forthcoming awards presentation were revealed, bringing the already-star-studded lineup up to date with Alanis Morissette and Gwen Stefani.
Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson, Madeline Edwards, Morgan Wade, and Austin native Jackie Venson on guitar will join Morissette on stage for a performance of her popular song “You Oughta Know” to mark the 10th anniversary of CMT’s “Next Lady of Country” franchise.
After winning her first CMT Award with husband Blake Shelton two years ago, Stefani will work with Carly Pearce for their first-ever onstage duet. Collaboration Video of the Year was won by the couple for their duet “Nobody But You.”
The CMT Equal Play Award, which honors “an artist who is a visible and vocal advocate for elevating diverse and underrepresented voices in country music,” will be given to Shania Twain, making her the third recipient in award history. Jennifer Nettles and Linda Martell are examples of prior honorees.
The trio joins previously-announced performers Shelton, Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, co-hosts Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown, and more.
A Video of the Year nominee, Shelton recently spoke with ET about why he thinks the CMT Music Awards “means more” than your typical awards show — and it boils down to the fans.
“Our industry, there’s so many under-the-table political things going on, it’s always nice to win any award, but when you know for sure [that] fans took the time and they voted for you, then that means the world.”
“I love being able to be a part of a show like that because I just feel like they have more credibility to me,” he added. “Those are the people buying the music, they should have a say in who they give their trophies to!”
The 2023 CMT Music Awards air live April 2 on CBS and stream live and on demand on Paramount+.