Performers and Presenters Announced For The 2019 CMT Artists of the Year

CMT revealed its star-studded lineup of performers and presenters for the “2019 CMT Artists of the Year” special, airing LIVE from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, October 16 at 8pm ET/PT on CMT. The growing list includes some of the biggest stars from music, television and entertainment including Bobby Bones, Chrissy Metz, Johnny Galecki, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Akins, Lonnie Chavis, Maddie & Tae, Sam Hunt, Vince Gill and more.

The 90-minute special will feature LIVE performances from “2019 CMT Artists of the Year” honorees Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett and “Breakout Artist of the Year” awardee, Ashley McBryde. “This Is Us” actress Chrissy Metz will debut a special performance in honor of first-time “CMT Artists of the Year” honoree, Luke Combs.

Two-time “CMT Artists of the Year” recipient Lady Antebellum will take the stage, as will country powerhouse Sam Hunt, to recognize previously announced “Artist of a Lifetime” recipient Reba McEntire, to celebrate her legendary success. Her award will be bestowed by fellow country music icon Vince Gill, who joins a growing list of presenters, including multi-media personality Bobby Bones, Johnny Galecki (“The Big Bang Theory”), philanthropist and wife of honoree Thomas Rhett, Lauren Akins, Lonnie Chavis (“This Is Us”), country duo Maddie & Tae and more for the 10th annual celebration. 

“CMT Artists of the Year” is executive produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin; the Executives in Charge of Production are Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino. 

For updates, visit CMTAOTY.CMT.com, follow @CMT on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and use #CMTAOTY to join the conversation. 

Jason Aldean Delivers Unique Perspective In “We Back” Music Video

ACM “Dick Clark Artist of the Decade” recipient Jason Aldean gives fans a new perspective of his hard-charging 2019 RIDE ALL NIGHT TOUR, with the release of the new music video behind his fiery new single “We Back.” Just weeks after its release, the lead track from his forthcoming studio album 9 (Macon Music/Broken Bow Records) to be released Nov. 22, has already cracked the Top 25 at Country radio as his “his latest guitar-fueled arena-ready anthem” (Charlotte Observer) showcases what Aldean does best.

The “We Back” music video comes on the heels of new music from Aldean’s 16-track project now available for pre-order, with “Got What I Got” becoming available at all digital retailers tomorrow.

“We’ve put out music videos in the past from our tours, but Silva put a really cool spin on this one,” said Aldean. “Fans are going to feel like they are on stage with us, which is something I’ve never really seen pulled off like this before.”

Directed by longtime collaborator Shaun Silva, the music video for “We Back” gives a front row seat to Aldean’s tour, encapsulating the energy as if viewers were there in real-time. To achieve some of the mind bending camera moves featured throughout the video, Silva used eight 360 degree cameras with custom fabricated mounts attached to Aldean’s microphone, the band’s instruments and a beer can that was thrown to Aldean at the end of the performance.

CMT To Premiere Gameshow Series “CMT’s Nashville Squares”

CMT announced that its new gameshow series, “CMT’s Nashville Squares,” will kick off with a two-episode premiere on Friday, November 1st at 8p/7c. Hosted by comedian Bob Saget, the all-new series puts a country music twist on the classic game show “Hollywood Squares,” following in the footsteps of hit series “VH1’s Hip Hop Squares,” by staying true to the beloved tic-tac-toe format and infusing it with some of the most influential and charismatic personalities in country music, pop culture, entertainment, sports, fashion, comedy and more.

Celebrity contestants and squares include Bill Engvall, Caroline Rhea, Carson Cressley, Chris Sullivan, Deana Carter, Devin Dawson, Fortune Feimster, Gary Busey, Jana Kramer & Mike Caussin, Jimmie Allen, Kenya Moore, Kyle Busch, Mark Ballas & BC Jean, Marie Osmond, Melissa Peterman, Mickey Guyton, Mitchell Tenpenny, Sara Evans, Tanya Tucker, and Ty Pennington.

“CMT Nashville Squares” will feature exciting musical moments, fun and unpredictable competition, dance choreography from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: All Stars, and much more.

Additional celebrity guests this season include:

  • Adam Richman
  • Catherine Bach
  • Cheslie Kryst
  • Curtis Rempel & Brad Rempel
  • Dusty Slay
  • Hayley Orrantia
  • High Valley
  • Jon Reep
  • Josef Newgarden
  • Keifer Thompson & Shawna Thompson
  • Leah Turner
  • Lindsay Czarniak
  • Loni Love
  • Presley Tucker
  • Sara Tiana
  • Tom Wopat
  •  WWE professional wrestler, Mickie James

Matt Stell Tops Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart With “Prayed For You”

Singer/songwriter Matt Stell achieves his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart with his debut single, “Prayed for You” (Wide Open/RECORDS/Good Company/Arista Nashville), marking the only debut single from an artist to hit the summit on Country Airplay in 2019.

Stell breaks the longest dry spell between debut No. 1s since 2014; Jimmie Allen’s “Best Shot” went No. 1 on Nov. 24, 2018.

Penned by Stell, Ash Bowers (also Stell’s manager) and Allison Veltz, “Prayed For You” leaps from No. 8 to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, its highest position to date. The song has amassed 99 Million streams and was certified Gold by the RIAA last month.

“It’s hard to believe that ‘Prayed for You’ is Billboard’s No. 1 country song in the U.S. this week,” exclaimed Matt Stell upon hearing the news. “I won’t be able to ever thank my fellow writers, Ash Bowers and Allison Veltz, and my RECORDS/Arista Nashville/Wide Open/GCE team enough.”

Morgan Wallen Will Be Taking His Whiskey Glasses Out On The Road On The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour

Platinum-selling Big Loud Records Country star and CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Morgan Wallen  is surging into 2020 with plans for a brand-new headline tour. Today (10/8), he’s announcing the initial details behind Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Morgan Wallen’s Whiskey Glasses Roadshow.

“This year so far, I’ve mostly played shows as the opening act. While I love that, and appreciate everyone who’s made that possible, I’m ready to get into rooms where I know the energy will all be directed towards our music and our production,” shares Wallen. “It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to headline, so I can’t wait to see some of the same faces I’ve gotten to know from before and get to know a bunch of new ones. I know it’s going to be the best one yet. Jon is one of my good buddies and has his own star rising, so I’m super pumped he accepted the offer to come out. Ashland is a new talent, one that most aren’t familiar with yet, but that will change soon. So I ask y’all to show up early and show both of them love. You won’t be disappointed.”

Set to kick off January 2 in Grand Rapids, MI, and roll through May 1 in Denver, CO, the coast-to-coast run will feature special guests Jon Langston and Ashland Craft, stopping in 19 cities nationwide.

Pre-sales for tickets to Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Morgan Wallen’s Whiskey Glasses Roadshow begin October 14 and will go on-sale to the general public October 18. Live Nation is the official promoter of the tour.

Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Morgan Wallen’s Whiskey Glasses Roadshow
January 2 | Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live
January 3 | Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
January 4 | Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre
January 9 | New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore
January 10 | Houston, TX – House of Blues
January 11 | Irving, TX – Toyota Music Factory
January 16 | Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park
January 17 | Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room
January 18 | Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
March 19 | Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
March 20 | Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
March 21 | North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
April 9 | Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
April 11 | Boston, MA – House of Blues
April 17 | Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
April 23 | San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic
April 29 | Boise, ID – Revolution Concert House
April 30 | Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
May 1 | Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium