The CMT Music Awards was a lot of fun last night.  The performances were rocking and Kelsea Ballerini did a great job hosting for a fourth, and last, time.  This was her first job doing it solo and she held up really well.  Lost count after like eight outfit changes though.

Also, halfway through the show Jelly Roll gave out free hugs to the crowd.  And then he won all three awards he was up for:  Video of the Year . . . Male Video of the Year . . . and CMT Performance of the Year from his smash hit “Need a Favor”.

The highlight of the night was the Toby Keith tribute.  Brooks and Dunn sang “Shoulda Been a Cowboy” . . . Sammy Hagar sang “I Love This Bar” . . . and Lainey Wilson sang “How Do You Like Me Now?!”  And Roger Clemens ended it all with a red solo cup toast.

 

(You can check out all the red carpet arrivals, here.  All of the stars were looking GOOD.)

Here’s your complete list of last night’s winners . . .

• Video of the Year:  “Need a Favor” by Jelly Roll.

 

• Female Video of the Year:  “Watermelon Moonshine” by Lainey Wilson.

 

• Male Video of the Year:  “Need a Favor” by Jelly Roll.

 

• Duo / Group Video of the Year:  “Save Me the Trouble” by Dan + Shay.

 

• CMT Performance of the Year:  “Need a Favor” from the 2023 CMT Music Awards by Jelly Roll.

 

• Collaborative Video of the Year:  “We Don’t Fight Anymore” by Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton.

 

• Breakthrough Female Video of the Year:  “Your Place” by Ashley Cooke.

 

• Breakthrough Male Video of the Year:  “Pretty Little Poison” by Warren Zeiders.

 

• CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year:  “It Matters to Her” by Scotty McCreery.

 

• The June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award:  Trisha Yearwood.