6 artists top CMT nods with 3 each
Sam Hunt, from left, Ashley McBryde and Thomas Rhett
AshleyMcBryde, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini,
Luke Combs, SamHunt and Thomas Rhett top the 2020CMTMusic Awards nominations with three each.
In nominations announcedWednesday for the pandemic-delayed show, 14 videos are vying for the top prize of video of the year. The fan-voted showwill air onCMTand other networks on Oct. 21 with outdoor performances.
The Chicks return to the list of nominees for the first time since 2007 for their video for “Gaslighter,” and country icon Tanya Tucker gets her first nomination for “BringMy FlowersNow,” both nominated for video of the year. Also nominated in the category are Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Keith Urban, Old Dominion, CarrieUnderwood and Blanco Brown.
A number of artists are getting their first nominations this year, including CayleeHammack, Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress, Riley Green and Travis Denning.
The Highwomen, a group comprised ofMaren Morris, Brandi Carlile, NatalieHemby and Amanda Shires, also got their first nomination for group video.
With categories that include collaborations and performances fromother CMTshows, pop stars Halsey andGwen Stefani both earned their first nominations for their duets with Ballerini and Blake Shelton, respectively. Electronic producer and DJMarshmello also earned a nomination in collaborative video for the crossover hit “One Thing Right” with Kane Brown.
John announces new tour dates: After postponing shows because of the pandemic, Elton John announcedWednesday that his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour” will return toNorth America on Jan. 19, 2022, inNew Orleans. John also announced rescheduled 2022 dates forHouston, Detroit, NewYork City, Miami, Toronto andMontreal. His global tour will officially return on Sept. 1, 2021.
“I’ve been enjoyingmy time at home with the family while theworld navigates itsway through theCOVID pandemic. But, I really miss being on the road and performing for my beloved fans inmy Farewell YellowBrick Road Tour,” John said.
“While the scientists are making great progress, we are making big plans for a return to touring that will allowus to ensure the health and safety of everyone.”
Four Seasons’ DeVito dies: TommyDeVito, 92, a founding member of the Four Seasons, has died.
His former bandmate Frankie Valliewrote in a post on Facebook that DeVito had died, and said, “We send our love to his family during this most difficult time.” Actor Alfred Nittoli said in a separate Facebook post that DeVito diedMonday evening in Las Vegas.
DeVito along with Valli, Bob Gaudio andNick Massi founded the Four Seasons in 1960. The Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which opened in 2005, tells the band’s story.
Sept. 24 birthdays: Singer Sonny Turner is 81. Singer GerryMarsden is
78. News anchor Lou Dobbs is 75. Actor Gordon Clapp is 72. ActorKevin Sorbo is 62. Actor-writer Nia Vardalos is 58. Drummer Shawn Crahan is 51. Guitarist Juan DeVevo is
45. Actor Ian Bohen is 44. Actor GreyDamon is 33. Actor Ben Platt is 27.