Johnson vs Jelly Roll: Fans cast votes for CMT’S Video of the Year
The first of its kind, this fan-powered country music awards show returns for an exciting evening of celebration, dedication and democracy. Broadcast live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, the 2024 CMT Music Awards shines a spotlight on the best in the country music industry, with this year’s accolades presented Sunday, April 7, on CBS and Paramount+.
Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini (“If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)”), this unique awards show allows music fans across America to have their say in who wins within their given category — ranging from Male/female Breakthrough Video of the Year, to CMT’S Performance of the Year, to the ever-coveted Video of the Year — with online voting open to the public each spring.
Previously, this public participation led to gospel sensation Jelly Roll (“Need A Favor”) receiving the most awards of the night (three) in 2023, while swoon-worthy crooner Cody Johnson (“The Painter”) took the top spot with two awards in 2022.
This year, both Johnson and Jelly Roll remain top contenders with three nominations apiece, gaining avid, vocal support from fans across the country. The duo’s records might be squashed, however, as Lainey Wilson (“Watermelon Moonshine”), Megan Moroney (“I’m Not Pretty”) and Ballerini herself have each cinched three nominations of their own, making for an exciting race to see who will prove the most popular across the categories.
According to CBS, CMT will also be recognizing 14 first-time nominees, with talent spanning from “breakthrough artists to outof-genre superstars,” including the likes of “Glee” alum Amber Riley (“R.E.S.P.E.C.T.”), Bret Michaels (“Nothing But a Good Time” with Chris Janson), Chayce Beckham (“23”), Hozier (“Take Me To Church” with Maron Morris), Koe Wetzel (featured on Ella Langley’s “That’s Why We Fight”), Stephen Wilson Jr. (“Year to Be Young 1994”), Tyler Childers (“In Your Love”), Warren Zeiders (“Pretty Little Poison”) and Zach Bryan (“Oklahoma Smokeshow”).
While voting for most categories closed in early April, voting for the night’s “biggest” award, Video of the Year, is set to remain open throughout the show itself, allowing viewers to take part right up until that final envelope is presented. With 16 acts — “ranging from fresh talent to established names” (CBS) — it’ll be a tough decision, and perhaps the “make it or break it” for top-nom Jelly Roll.
To see a full list of nominees — and to cast a vote for Video of the Year — interested parties can visit cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/vote, until the 2024 CMT Music Awards premiere, Sunday, April 7, live on CBS and Paramount+.