The Best Performances at the 2019 CMT Music Awards
An incredible night of live country music.
By Alex Watt
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This year's CMT Music Awards drew in country music fans with promised appearances by favorites like Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini, but the show treated the crowd (and those watching at home) to a festival's worth of fantastic live performances. While there wasn't a dud in the bunch, these were the absolute best musical moments from the 2019 show.
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1
Zac Brown Band
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ZBB brought the house down with a stirring rendition of "Someone I Used To Know." The song is likely to be featured on their upcoming album.
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2
Luke Bryan
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Bryan got the crowd rocking with "Knockin Boots" from his highly-anticipated seventh studio album.
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3
Toby Keith & Cole Swindell
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Swindell joined Keith for an outdoor version of his 2002 hit "Beer for My Horses" and if there was a roof, it would've been blown off. The throwback anthem was followed by Keith's new single "That's Country, Bro."
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4
Brett Young & Boyz II Men
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Country and Motownphilly together at last! When Brett Young & Boyz II Men performed "Here Tonight" and "Water Runs Dry," there wasn't a toe in the audience that wasn't tapping.
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5
Kelsea Ballerini
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Ballerini sang "Miss Me More," which was also nominated for Best Female Video, and this performance doesn't have to worry at all about being forgotten.
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6
Maren Morris & Sheryl Crow
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Just when you think things don’t get any better than Maren Morris performing “Shade” for a live audience, Sheryl Crow joins her on stage for “Prove You Wrong.” All that was missing was Stevie Nicks.
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7
Little Big Town
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The night's hosts took the stage sing "The Daughters" under the light of the moon.
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8
Tenille Townes
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Wearing a fitting red cape, Townes sang like a superhero while treating us to "Somebody's Daughter."
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9
Keith Urban
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Urban sang "We Were" to a crowd of fans who couldn't get enough of the Aussie country legend.
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10
Morgan Wallen
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Tennessee singer Morgan Wallen rocked a mullet and dusted off his hit “Whiskey Glasses,” which was the drinking anthem of the night—and that’s saying something!
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11
Luke Combs
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Combs nabbed a win for Performance of the Year for his collab with Leon Bridges, and the husky-voiced performer wrapped up the show with his new single, "Beer Never Broke My Heart."
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12
Tanya Tucker
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Country music icon, Tanya Tucker, took the stage with Grammy winner, Brandi Carlile and a band of big-name women in the business: RaeLynn, Lauren Alaina, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Deana Carter and Carly Pearce. That impressive, multi-generation line-up garnered a standing ovation from the crowd.
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13
Carrie Underwood
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Fans waited all night to watch the country queen take the stage to perform her upbeat single, "Southbound" from her latest album, Cry Pretty. Underwood showed of her singing chops a colorful miniskirt and definitely didn't disappoint.