Every year, country music fans tune in to watch the CMT Music Awards for a variety of different reasons. Whether it’s to admire the stars’ fashion, to sing along to their favorite performers, or to root for their favorite singers as they’re up for awards, watching the star-studded award show provides entertainment for just about anyone.
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And, over the years, some moments, including speeches, performances and tributes, have made CMT Music Awards history. Keith Urban‘s touching tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2006, for example, left not a dry eye in the room. In another iconic moment, Taylor Swift tore the roof off the 2013 CMT Music Awards with her performance of “Red.”
To look back at some other memorable CMT performances over the years, scroll below!
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Shania Starts a Movement
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images Shania Twain inspired women and girls everywhere when she accepted the Equal Play Award at the 2023 CMT Music Awards.
“I believe in an all-inclusive country music,” she began, per People. “This is a genre of music with a rich history that raised and nurtured my own songwriting and performance and recording career from childhood. Currently, the industry standard does a real disservice to this.”
“Now, let us, the country music industry, do our part to close the gap the gap and provide an equal workspace for all talent,” she continued.
“My hope is this opportunity and spotlight impresses you much and lights up the careers of these very talented people on their journey,” she added. “I will continue to do my best as a trailblazer. Together, let’s ensure all our fellow artists get equal play regardless of gender, age or race.”
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The Judds’ Last Performance
Image Credit: MORA/Everett Collection At the 2022 CMT Music Awards, Wynonna and Naomi Judd gave their last-ever performance as The Judds.
Two weeks after their moving performance of “Love Can Build a Bridge” with a gospel choir, Naomi unexpectedly passed away, per Billboard.
The performance will forever be remembered.
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An Unexpected Duo Takes the Stage
Image Credit: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for CMT While music awards shows are known for bringing unlikely artists together, no one could’ve expected H.E.R. and Chris Stapleton to impress us so much at the 2021 CMT Music Awards. Together, the unexpected pair performed Stapleton’s hit song “Hold On.”
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Zac Brown Goes Off
Image Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images In 2019, Zac Brown from the Zac Brown Band didn’t hold back when they won the Group Video of the Year honor for “Someone I Used to Know.”
“For you young artists, have courage to stand up against the machine, be yourself, work hard, and one day you can stand up here and tell all the haters to f— off,” Brown said, per Billboard. Safe to say the moment left a few viewers speechless.
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‘Delta Dawn’ Supremacy
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CMT In one of the most iconic performances in CMT Music Award history, country music legend Tanya Tucker invited a series of special guests to sing her hit song “Delta Dawn” in 2019.
Among the singers joining Tucker were Carly Pearce, Trisha Yearwood, Brandi Carlile, Martina McBride, Lauren Alaina, and RaeLynn.
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A Pop Star in the Making
Image Credit: FilmMTaylor Hill/FilmMagic After starting her career singing country music, Taylor Swift made the transition to pop in 2012 and 2013. At the 2013 CMT Music Awards, she showed the world just how big of a pop star she would becom with an electrifying performance of “Red.”
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Keith Urban’s Touching Tribute
Image Credit: Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic At the 2006 CMT Music Awards, Keith Urban didn’t leave a dry eye in the room in his touching tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Performing “Better Life,” Urban sand alongside choral singers who were displaced by the hurricane and images of its destruction, per Yard Barker.
“We just wanted to present a better tone for ‘Better Life,’ and I had been down to New Orleans and was struck by a combination of things — how much has been done and how little has been done,” Urban told East Bay Times. “We just wanted to bring a little more awareness back to the cause down there.”
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Johnny Cash Receives the Visionary Award
Image Credit: KMazur/WireImage In a moment that had many viewers wiping some tears, June Carter Cash accepted the Visionary Award on behalf of her husband, Johnny Cash, in 2003 shortly after his passing.
“I just about done everything with him, so I came to thank you for this,” she said, per Billboard. “This is beautiful…I accept this for him in all humility. He’s one of the most humble guys I know. He’s one of the best husbands that’s ever been and he’s just one of the best country music entertainers I’ve ever known.”
After his win, the honor was renamed to the Johnny Cash Visionary Award.
