Carrie Underwood named top artist at CMT Music Awards
NASHVILLE, TENN. » Carrie Underwood already had the most CMT Music Awards of any artist, but she’ll need to make more room on her shelf. The superstar picked up two more trophies for video of the year and female video of the year in a remotely shot awards show.
Underwood appeared on video to accept for “Drinking Alone” and thanked fans for voting for her during an unpredictable year when touring ground to a halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This one is all about you guys especially because we again haven’t been together but I feel so loved tonight,” Underwood said.
Pop star Gwen Stefani won her first CMT Music Award for collaborative video of the year for her duet with Blake Shelton on “Nobody But You.” The couple shared a hug and drinks together and expressed their love for one another in their recorded speech.
“What is happening inmy life?” Stefani exclaimed.
“This is a crazy pairing in lots of different ways, but it’s working,” Shelton said as they clinked glasses.
The country stars came out to celebrate even if audiences weren’t there. Country’s newest star Luke Combs shotgunned a beer with legends Brooks and Dunn to open the show.
Country singers Kane Brown and AshleyMcBryde joined “Modern Family” actor Sarah Hyland as co-hosts during Wednesday night’s show, which was shot in various outdoor locations around Nashville, Tenn., including the former home of Reba McEntire.
Taylor Swift, who won breakthrough video of the year 13 years ago, presented the award to Gabby Barrett, for her song “IHope,” which has been a No. 1 hit across both country and pop charts this year.
Barrett, who pretended to hold an imaginary award in her hand, thanked the fans.
Old Dominion won group video of the year for “One Man Band,” while Chris Young won CMT performance of the year for his song “Drowning.”