CMT Music Awards 2023: The winners, the big moments, photo highlights and more

Kelsea Ballerini performed with 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' Stars Kennedy Davenport, Jan Sport, Manila Luzon and Olivia Lux at the CMT Music Awards.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — “Son of a Sinner” singer Jelly Roll was the big winner at the CMT Music Awards, as the rapper-turned-country singer took home three awards on Sunday as an outsider who won over fans with his confessional songs.

The tattooed singer got emotional during the show in Austin, Texas, which aired on CBS, as he thanked the country radio industry for its acceptance and shouted out to those who felt like him.

Jelly Roll accepts the award for male video of the year for "Son of a Sinner" at the CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. 

“You can be whatever you want to be. I promise you that. I told them that I wanted to be a country singer and I am standing here at the CMT Awards with the male video of the year, baby,” he shouted. 

Some highlights from the show:

• The show started off with a somber tone as country singer and co-host Kelsea Ballerini read off the names of six victims of a school shooting killed last week in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Country superstar and five-time Grammy winner Shania Twain was given the Equal Play Award, recognizing her for being a “visible and vocal advocate” for diverse voices in country music.
• Kelsea Ballerini took to the stage flanked by drag artists, as states across the country consider legally limiting drag show performances.
• Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd were honored with a tribute performance following the death in March of the last original member, Gary Rossington.

Read the full story here:

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THE WINNERS

A complete list of winners from the 2023 CMT Music Awards:

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Video of the year: Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown, "Thank God"

Female video of the year: Lainey Wilson, "Heart Like a Truck"

Male video of the year: Jelly Roll, "Son of a Sinner"

Group/duo video of the year: Zac Brown Band, "Out in the Middle"

Female breakthrough video of the year: Megan Moroney, "Tennessee Orange"

Male breakthrough video of the year: Jelly Roll, "Son of a Sinner"

Collaborative video of the year: HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson, "Wait in the truck"

CMT performance of the year: Cody Johnson, "'Til You Can't" (from 2022 CMT Music Awards)

CMT digital-first performance of the year: Jelly Roll, "Son of a Sinner" (from "CMT All Access")

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PHOTO GALLERY