Tonight in Austin, Texas, country music’s biggest stars gathered to celebrate the 2024 CMT Music Awards. For the fourth consecutive year, Kelsea Ballerini hosted the annual awards show, which honors the best country videos and performances from the previous year.
The CMT Music Awards gives the power to the fans by allowing them to vote and determine the winners of each category.
Kelsea Ballerini, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney led the night with nominations, each receiving three nods a piece.
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The CMT Music Awards announce the winner for Performance of the Year
Presented by Carly Pearce, the award for CMT Performance of the Year goes to the fan-favorite performance or collaboration created in association with Country Music Television.
Nominees for the category were:
- Amber Riley – “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” (from CMT Smashing Glass)
- Bret Michaels & Chris Janson – “Nothing But a Good Time” (from CMT Crossroads)
- Carrie Underwood – “Hate My Heart” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
- Cody Johnson – “Human” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
- Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane” (from CMT Storytellers)
- Dustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter – “Thinking ‘Bout You” (from CMT Campfire Sessions)
- Hozier & Maren Morris – “Take Me To Church” (from CMT Crossroads)
- Jelly Roll – “Need a Favor” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
- Kelsea Ballerini – “IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
- The War And Treaty – “On My Own” (from CMT Smashing Glass)
The award for the CMT Performance of the Year goes to… Jelly Roll!
Jelly Roll wins the award for his delivery of his breakthrough hit “Need A Favor” at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. The performance, which was his first at an awards show, captured the attention of many and helped catapult his career. Prior to the ceremony tonight, John Hamlin, executive producer for the show shared:
“Last year, it was his coming-out party. And when he walked out on the stage for rehearsal yesterday, he looked at all of us producers sitting here at the table and said, ‘Hey, guys. It’s our one-year anniversary!’ He talks about it all the time, how … he has had just an enormous year, but it all started here last year.”
Giving @JellyRoll615 a standing ovation! He’s our CMT Performance of the Year WINNER! 🎤 #CMTAwards pic.twitter.com/WRxKnr473B
— CMT (@CMT) April 8, 2024
It was a full-circle moment for Jelly Roll. While accepting the award, he reflected:
“One year ago I was invited to perform at my very first awards show. I walked on this stage and I sang “Need a Favor” for the time on national television right here!”
Watch the performance that won Jelly Roll the award for CMT Performance of the Year below!