Last night’s (4/2) 2023 CMT Music Awards was one for the books. Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown, the three-hour-long show aired live from Austin, Texas. It saw performances from superstars Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood, among other country superstars. The show also saw many pairings, including Darius Rucker teaming with The Black Crowes and a show closer that saw Wynonna Judd and LeAnn Rimes as the Honkettes singing backup vocals during a Lynyrd Skynrd tribute.

As we gather our thoughts on the latest country music award show, we count down what we believe are the Top 9 CMT Music Award performances for 2023.

RELATED: 2023 CMT Music Awards Winner's List

• Lainey Wilson, along with Alanis Morissette - "You Outta Know"

  Led by Lainey Wilson, this all-female collaboration, along with Alanis Morissette, was epic, and the five women sounded flawless together.

• Jelly Roll - "Need A Favor"

  Jelly Roll brought us all to church in his debit CMT Awards show performance, complete with a church choir.

• Keith Urban - "Brown Eyes Baby"

  You can never go wrong with a solid performance from Keith Urban, who sang for a packed crowd in downtown Austin.

• Darius Rucker w/ Black Crowes - "She Talks To Angels"

  With this collaboration with his friend The Black Crowes, Darius Rucker proved he is still a rock star and a country star.

• Carrie Underwood - "I Hate My Heart"

  Carrie Underwood wore the perfect shorts and suit for her “Hate My Heart” CMT Performance covered in hearts. When she ended the song, her face lit up with the roaring applause from the outdoor crowd.

• Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute - Cody Johnson, Wynonna, and more

  With Johnny Van Sant and the family of the late Gary Rossinton watching in the crowd, Cody Johnson led a group of rock star legends and Wynonna Judd and LeAnnRimes on background vocals in this show-ending tribute.

• Kelsea Ballerini - "If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)"

  Kelsea Ballerini had the most fun number of the night as she performed her latest single, “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too).” Kelsea performed in a fun pastel outfit complete with high hair and included four Nashville drag queens to dance along to the song.

• Blake Shelton - "No Body"

  It was so good to see Blake Shelton back on the award show performance stage, and what a great way to kick off an award show by having Blake sing his latest song ‘No Body”

• Kane and Katelyn Brown ' Thank God"

  This was such a touching performance from husband and wife Kane and Katelyn Brown of their huge hit “Thank God.” After the performance, it was a no-brainer that the video for the song would win the top award of the night, “Video of The Year.”

Sign me up to be a member of Club QYK!

Club QYK has your access to concert presale information, personalized country music news, exclusive contests and local events.

First Name *

Last Name

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.