Carrie Underwood wins at CMT Music Awards; Gladys Knight, H.E.R. perform

Carrie Underwood has one more reason to rejoice — she prolonged her report as probably the most embellished artist within the historical past of the CMT Music Awards, because of her music “Hallelujah.”

The music video for the singer’s hit, a collaboration with John Legend, was named video of the yr at Wednesday’s present, which aired from Nashville, Tennessee.

Underwood, who now has 23 CMT Awards, thanked her die-hard followers whereas accepting the glory: “You are the explanation we’re all right here doing what we do, doing what we love (and) making music movies.”

She additionally shouted-out Legend, notably for sending her the music, which appeared on her first vacation album “My Reward.”

“Congratulations on what I feel is your first CMT Award. Whoa!” she exclaimed.

Mark Humphrey / AP Photograph

Although Underwood owned a part of the evening — she additionally carried out with rock band NEEDTOBREATHE — different feminine stars, some outdoors of nation music, took over the awards present honoring the yr’s finest nation music movies.

Grammy-winning R&B star H.E.R. and fellow guitar slayer Chris Stapleton had the evening’s finest efficiency. They joined forces for a smoky, thrilling efficiency of “Maintain On,” coming off like a veteran duo.

The legendary Gladys Knight received over viewers members — not carrying masks — throughout a efficiency of “Friendship Practice” with Mickey Guyton. A part of the present felt devoted to Black feminine voices because of the highest notch performances by Knight, H.E.R. and Guyton, who was nominated for 2 awards and introduced the CMT Equal Play Award to Linda Martell, one of many pioneering Black acts in nation music and the primary Black girl to carry out solo on the Grand Ole Opry.

Martell had a rustic hit with the music “Coloration Me Nation” 50 years in the past, and he or she had different songs attain the charts, however she handled main hardships. She skilled racism whereas performing onstage and was shunned by the music business as a mainstream nation performer. Her report label shelved her album and he or she was prohibited from discovering a brand new deal.

“Listening to Linda sing makes it very clear that she had all of the expertise to be an enormous star however her profession was lower brief for one motive: the colour of her pores and skin,” stated Guyton, who made historical past this yr as the primary solo Black girl nominated for a rustic Grammy Award.

“I might not be standing right here in the present day with out you, and none of us can be right here with out you, so thanks!”

Martell, 86, did not attend the awards present however CMT aired images of the icon holding her award and stated she was watching the present from her house in South Carolina.

Guyton additionally hit the stage with BRELAND, the Black singer who has blended nation, entice and R&B music and had a rustic hit with the platinum success “My Truck.”

And the evening featured extra collaborative performances prefer it.

Woman A kicked off the present with Carly Pearce and Lindsay Ell, Ingrid Andress sang with pop singer-songwriter JP Saxe, whereas Miranda Lambert carried out with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall.

Hosts Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini additionally carried out onstage and received awards.

Brown received male video of the yr for “Worship You” and collaborative video of the yr for “Well-known Mates” with Chris Younger. CMT efficiency of the yr went to Ballerini and Halsey’s “The Different Lady” from the 2023 CMT Music Awards.

Gabby Barrett, who was initially alleged to carry out on the present however backed out, received feminine video of the yr and the most effective household characteristic award went to Taylor Swift’s “The Finest Day (Taylor’s Model),” which was re-released this yr and featured house films starring the pop star, her brother and oldsters.

Little Massive City’s “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” received the evening’s first award — duo/group video of the yr.

“That is superior. To begin with, we’re again and making music individuals,” Kimberly Schlapman yelled, referring to the pandemic.

“I do know you want ingesting songs,” Karen Fairchild added.

Listing of winners on the 2023 CMT Music Awards

This is the record of winners on the 2023 CMT Music Awards, held Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee.

• Video of the yr: Carrie Underwood and John Legend, “Hallelujah”
• Feminine video of the yr: Gabby Barrett, “The Good Ones”
• Male video of the yr: Kane Brown, “Worship You”
• Duo/group video of the yr: Little Massive City, “Wine, Beer, Whiskey”
• Breakthrough video of the yr: Dylan Scott, “No person”
• Collaborative video of the yr: Chris Younger and Kane Brown, “Well-known Mates”
• CMT efficiency of the yr: Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey, “The Different Lady” (from the 2023 CMT Music Awards)
• Finest household characteristic: Taylor Swift, “The Finest Day (Taylor’s Model)”
• CMT Equal Play Award: Linda Martell