Kelsea Ballerini Returns as Host of CMT Music Awards for 2024 Show

Four-time Grammy nominee Kelsea Ballerini will return as the solo host of the 2024 CMT Music Awards, marking the fourth consecutive year Ballerini has led the fan-voted country music awards show. Ballerini will pull double duty during the show, serving as not only host but as a performer during the broadcast.

The 2024 CMT Music Awards will air on CBS on Sunday, April 7, live from Austin, Texas’ Moody Center. Ballerini previously hosted the CMT Music Awards in 2021 and 2023 alongside Kane Brown and hosted remotely for the 2022 show.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be back for my 4th year with my CMT family to host this year’s CMT Music awards in Austin, Texas,” Ballerini said in a statement. “Hosting an awards show that celebrates the music that the fans love most has been an honor and I know this year will be another unforgettable night.”

The show will also be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

This year’s CMT Music Awards nominees, performers and presenters will be revealed in the coming weeks. In 2023, Jelly Roll was the evening’s major winner, taking home wins for male video of the year (“Son of a Sinner”), breakthrough male video male video of the year (“Son of a Sinner”), CMT digital-first performance of the year (“Son of a Sinner,” from CMT All Access). Other winners included Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown winning video of the year (for “Thank God”), while Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like a Truck” clip won female video of the year. Shania Twain was honored with the CMT equal play award.

Ballerini also had one of the most memorable performances during last year’s CMT Music Awards when she performed her song “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” in a brightly colored, retro-themed performance alongside drag queens including Manila Luzon, Kennedy Davenport, Jan Sport and Olivia Lux.