Kelsea Ballerini served as host for the 2024 CMT Music Awards, which broadcast live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, April 7. The evening celebrated country music’s biggest videos, performances and breakthrough artists, blending star-studded red-carpet arrivals with memorable onstage moments.
The night belonged to Jelly Roll, who walked away as the evening’s biggest winner. He earned three trophies—Video of the Year, Male Video of the Year and CMT Performance of the Year—all tied to his powerful single “Need a Favor.” Jelly Roll also made history as the first artist in a decade to win Male Video of the Year in consecutive years. He capped the broadcast with a blazing performance of “Halfway to Hell,” leaving the stage on a high note and hinting at more momentum to come.
Accepting his awards, Jelly Roll delivered an emotional thank-you to his fans and family: “I love you, Austin, Texas. This is a moment I want to take to thank the fans for everything they’ve done for me. I want to thank God. I want to thank my beautiful wife and my daughter at home. One year ago, I was invited to perform at my first awards show, and I walked on this stage, and I sang ‘Need A Favor’ on national television for the first time right here. What I am emotional about is that in the last year, you have changed my life in every way I would have never thought my life could be changed.”
Beyond the trophies, Jelly Roll’s visibility continues to grow: he is scheduled to appear on the next episode of American Idol as a mentor and guest judge for the Top 24 contestants, reinforcing his rising influence across country and mainstream platforms.
Scotty McCreery, the winner of American Idol season 10, claimed the CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year award for his rendition of “It Matters to Her” from CMT Stages. McCreery was not present to receive the prize in person. Also recognized on the red carpet was Tae Lewis, currently competing on Season 25 of The Voice. Chayce Beckham, the Season 19 American Idol champion, attended the event and was nominated in the Breakthrough Male Video category for his No. 1 hit “23,” but that honor went to Warren Zeiders this year.
2024 CMT Music Awards WINNERS
Below are the nominees and winners announced at the 2024 CMT Music Awards. Winners are indicated in bold.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Ashley McBryde – “Light on in the Kitchen”
- Brandy Clark feat. Brandi Carlile – “Dear Insecurity”
- Brothers Osborne – “Nobody’s Nobody”
- Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
- Darius Rucker – “Fires Don’t Start Themselves”
- HARDY – “Truck Bed”
- Jason Aldean – “Let Your Boys Be Country”
- Jelly Roll – “Need a Favor” – WINNER
- Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
- Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”
- Kelsea Ballerini – “IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)”
- Lainey Wilson – “Watermelon Moonshine”
- Mickey Guyton feat. Kane Brown – “Nothing Compares to You”
- Parmalee – “Gonna Love You”
- Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
- Zach Bryan – “Nine Ball”
FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Ashley McBryde – “Light on in the Kitchen”
- Gabby Barrett – “Glory Days”
- Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”
- Kelsea Ballerini – “Penthouse”
- Lainey Wilson – “Watermelon Moonshine” – WINNER
- Megan Moroney – “I’m Not Pretty”
- Reba McEntire – “Seven Minutes in Heaven”
MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Bailey Zimmerman – “Religiously”
- Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
- HARDY – “Truck Bed”
- Jelly Roll – “Need a Favor” – WINNER
- Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
- Luke Combs – “Fast Car (Official Live Video)”
- Morgan Wallen – “Last Night (One Record at a Time Sessions)”
DUO/GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Brothers Osborne – “Nobody’s Nobody”
- Dan + Shay – “Save Me the Trouble” – WINNER
- Old Dominion – “Memory Lane”
- Parmalee – “Girl in Mine”
- The War and Treaty – “Have You a Heart”
- Tigirlily Gold – “Shoot Tequila”
COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Carly Pearce feat. Chris Stapleton – “We Don’t Fight Anymore” – WINNER
- Ella Langley feat. Koe Wetzel – “That’s Why We Fight”
- Jon Pardi, Luke Bryan – “Cowboys and Plowboys”
- Justin Moore & Priscilla Block – “You, Me and Whiskey”
- Lukas Nelson + Promise of The Real feat. Lainey Wilson – “More Than Friends”
- Mickey Guyton feat. Kane Brown – “Nothing Compares to You”
- Old Dominion & Megan Moroney – “Can’t Break Up Now”
BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Anne Wilson – “Rain in the Rearview”
- Ashley Cooke – “your place” – WINNER
- Brittney Spencer – “Bigger Than the Song”
- Tigirlily Gold – “Shoot Tequila”
BREAKTHROUGH MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Chayce Beckham – “23”
- Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
- Warren Zeiders – “Pretty Little Poison” – WINNER
- Zach Bryan – “Oklahoma Smokeshow”
CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
- 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) – WINNER
- 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)
CMT DIGITAL-FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
- Chase Rice – “Goodnight Nancy” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
- Dylan Scott – “Don’t Close Your Eyes (Keith Whitley Cover)” (from CMT Digital Campfire Sessions)
- Megan Moroney – “I’m Not Pretty” (from CMT Digital Campfire Sessions)
- Nate Smith – “Whiskey on You” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
- Scotty McCreery – “It Matters to Her” (from CMT Stages) – WINNER
- Stephen Wilson Jr. – “Year to Be Young 1994” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
- The Castellows – “I Know It Will Never End” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
The 2024 CMT Music Awards highlighted both established stars and rising talent in country music, from moving live performances to the digital-first sessions that continue to shape how fans discover songs. Jelly Roll’s sweep underscored the crossover reach of his music this year, while other winners and nominees reflected a wide range of styles and storytelling across the genre. The show combined celebration and competition, recognizing visual creativity, standout collaborations and breakthrough artists who are defining the current country music landscape.