2023 CMT Awards: Carrie Underwood’s Winning Streak Ends
At the 2023 CMT Music Awards, longtime favorite Carrie Underwood—one of the most awarded artists in CMT history—was notably shut out of wins for the first time in years. Underwood, who rose to fame as the winner of American Idol season 4, has frequently dominated the CMT video categories. This year the top honor, Video of the Year, went to the show’s co-hosts Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown for their song “Thank God.” Lainey Wilson captured Female Video of the Year with “Heart Like a Truck.” Had Carrie won in her nominated categories, her total CMT wins would have reached 27. During the ceremony she performed “Hate My Heart.”
Carrie also acknowledged her family at the event, noting that her husband Mike Fisher was at home with their children Michael and Jacob Bryan. “My husband’s got the kiddos. He’s always holding down the fort while I’m out doing stuff like this,” she said, sending a warm shoutout to her family from the red carpet.
Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini hosted the 2023 CMT Music Awards live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The show aired on CBS and was available to stream on Paramount+ during the broadcast window.
2023 CMT Music Awards Winners
Below are the winners and nominees across the major categories announced during the live telecast. Categories highlight music videos, collaborative projects, breakthrough artists and notable televised performances.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Honors the top music video across all nominees; presented to the artist or artists.
- Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown – “Thank God” – WINNER
- Carrie Underwood – “Hate My Heart”
- HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson – “wait in the truck”
- Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack, Brandy Clark & Pillbox Patti – “Bonfire at Tina’s”
- Blake Shelton – “No Body”
- Cody Johnson – “Human”
- Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley – “Worth a Shot”
- Gabby Barrett – “Pick Me Up”
- Jimmie Allen – “Down Home”
- Keith Urban – “Wild Hearts”
- Kelsea Ballerini – “HEARTFIRST”
- Little Big Town – “Rich Man”
- Luke Bryan – “Country On”
- Luke Combs – “The Kind of Love We Make”
- Morgan Wallen – “You Proof”
- Walker Hayes – “AA”
FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the top music video by a female artist.
- Carly Pearce – “What He Didn’t Do”
- Carrie Underwood – “Ghost Story”
- Gabby Barrett – “Pick Me Up”
- Kelsea Ballerini – “HEARTFIRST”
- Lainey Wilson – “Heart Like a Truck” – WINNER
- Maren Morris – “Humble Quest”
- Miranda Lambert – “Actin’ Up”
MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the top music video by a male artist.
- Bailey Zimmerman – “Rock and a Hard Place”
- Cody Johnson – “Human”
- Cole Swindell – “She Had Me at Heads Carolina”
- Jelly Roll – “Son of a Sinner” – WINNER
- Kane Brown – “Like I Love Country Music”
- Luke Combs – “The Kind of Love We Make”
- Morgan Wallen – “Wasted on You”
GROUP/DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Recognizes the best video from a duo or group.
- Dan + Shay – “You (Performance Video)”
- Lady A – “Summer State of Mind”
- Little Big Town – “Hell Yeah”
- Parmalee – “Take My Name”
- The War and Treaty – “That’s How Love Is Made”
- Zac Brown Band – “Out in the Middle” – WINNER
BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from a female artist’s breakthrough album.
- Avery Anna – “Narcissist”
- Kylie Morgan – “If He Wanted to He Would”
- MacKenzie Porter – “Pickup”
- Megan Moroney – “Tennessee Orange” – WINNER
- Morgan Wade – “Wilder Days”
- Tiera Kennedy – “Found It in You”
BREAKTHROUGH MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from a male artist’s breakthrough release.
- Bailey Zimmerman – “Fall in Love”
- Corey Kent – “Wild as Her”
- Drake Milligan – “Sounds Like Something I’d Do”
- Jackson Dean – “Don’t Come Lookin’”
- Jelly Roll – “Son of a Sinner” – WINNER
- Nate Smith – “Whiskey on You”
COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Honors the best collaborative music video, presented to the featured artists.
- Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley – “Worth a Shot”
- HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson – “wait in the truck” – WINNER
- Ingrid Andress with Sam Hunt – “Wishful Drinking”
- Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown – “Thank God”
- Midland feat. Jon Pardi – “Longneck Way to Go”
- Russell Dickerson feat. Jake Scott – “She Likes It”
- Thomas Rhett & Katy Perry – “Where We Started”
CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Recognizes outstanding musical performances on television or variety specials featured by CMT.
- Black Pumas & Mickey Guyton – “Colors” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
- Chris Stapleton – “Whenever You Come Around” (from “CMT Giants: Vince Gill”)
- Cody Johnson – “‘Til You Can’t” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS) – WINNER
- Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson – “Never Say Never” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
- Darius Rucker – “Let Her Cry” (from “CMT Storytellers”)
- Emmylou Harris & Lukas Nelson – “Lay Me Down” (from “Coal Miner’s Daughter” tribute)
- LeAnn Rimes with Ashley McBryde & Carly Pearce – “One Way Ticket” (from “CMT Crossroads”)
- Keith Urban – “Wild Hearts” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
- The Judds – “Love Can Build a Bridge” (from 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS)
- Wynonna Judd & Brandi Carlile – “The Rose” (from “Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration”)
CMT DIGITAL-FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to standout performances created for CMT’s digital and social platforms.
- Charley Crockett – “Time of the Cottonwood Trees” (from “CMT Campfire Sessions”)
- Chris Young – “Gettin’ You Home” (from “CMT Stages”)
- Ingrid Andress – “Wishful Drinking” (from “CMT Studio Sessions”)
- Jelly Roll – “Son of a Sinner” (from “CMT All Access”) – WINNER
- Megan Moroney – “Tennessee Orange” (from “CMT Viral to Verified”)
- Scotty McCreery – “Damn Strait” (from “CMT Campfire Sessions”)
Photos
The 2023 CMT Music Awards celebrated a wide range of country music talent, from breakout newcomers to established stars. The evening’s results reflected strong fan engagement and social voting trends, with collaborations and digital-first performances standing out among this year’s highlights. Whether honoring music videos, televised performances, or the artists behind viral hits, the show underscored the evolving ways country music reaches audiences through both broadcast and digital platforms.