CMT announced that its Artists of the Year celebration on Oct. 16 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center will feature performances by Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Ashley McBryde, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum and more. Award presenters will include Vince Gill, Maddie & Tae, Bobby Bones, Johnny Galecki, Lauren Akins and Lonnie Chavis.
This year’s ceremony will recognize CMT’s five Artists of the Year—Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett—as well as Reba McEntire (Artist of a Lifetime award) and Ashley McBryde (Breakout Artist of the Year award).
Lady A and Sam Hunt will take the stage to honor Reba, while Vince Gill will present her with the Artist of a Lifetime award. In addition, This Is Us actress Chrissy Metz will debut a special performance in honor of first-time honoree Luke Combs. Carrie’s performance will be live-streamed from her Cry Pretty 360 Tour in Cleveland, Ohio.
CMT’s 90-minute Artists of the Year TV special will air at 8 p.m. ET on Oct. 16.
photos: Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood & Ashley McBryde by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com; Sam Hunt by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com