Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean were the big winners, the Judds reunited, and Kelsea Ballerini turned a tough break into a one-woman house party at Monday night's CMT music awards.
Music-CMT_Music_Awards_85182 FILE - Kelsea Ballerini arrives at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on June 9, 2021. Ballerini will be co-hosting the CMT Music Awards from home after she tested positive for COVID-19 days before the awards show. Ballerini and actor Anthony Mackie were set to host the Monday night awards show airing on CBS. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
AP Photo/John Amis, File
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Arrivals_38578 A member of security clears the carpet due to weather at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
AP Photo/John Amis
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_93166 Jason Aldean, left, and Carrie Underwood accept the award for video of the year for "If I Didn't Love You" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_01637 Jason Aldean, left, and Carrie Underwood accept the award for video of the year for "If I Didn't Love You" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_97961 Miranda Lambert performs "If I Was a Cowboy" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_73212 Miranda Lambert performs "If I Was a Cowboy" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_45356 Taylor Lautner presents a performance by Kane Brown at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_95891 Kane Brown appears onscreen as he performs "One Mississippi" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_04923 Jimmie Allen, center left, and Monica, center right, and members of Little Big Town Jimi Westbrook, from left, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet perform "Pray" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_72599 Jimmie Allen, center left, and Monica, center right, and members of Little Big Town Jimi Westbrook, from left, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet perform "Pray" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_16197 Kelsea Ballerini performs "Heart First" remotely from her backyard at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_22973 Kelsea Ballerini performs "Heart First" remotely from her backyard at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_30513 Hosts Kane Brown, left, and Anthony Mackie appear onstage at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_94739 Host Anthony Mackie speaks at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_01497 Keith Urban performs "Wild Hearts" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_99413 Parker McCollum performs "To Be Loved By You" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_70774 Karen Fairchild, left, and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town perform "Hell Yeah" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_71321 Hosts Kane Brown, left, and Anthony Mackie appear onstage at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_40617 Jason Aldean, left, and Carrie Underwood accept the award for collaborative video of the year for "If I Didn't Love You" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_40540 Jason Aldean, left, and Carrie Underwood accept the award for collaborative video of the year for "If I Didn't Love You" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_58752 Old Dominion lead singer Matt Ramsey, left, and bass player Geoff Sprung perform during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_00818 Jimmie Allen introduces a performance by Old Dominion at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_42197 Matt Ramsey, left, and Brad Tursi of Old Dominion perform during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_45912 Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion performs during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_68762 Old Dominion bass player Geoff Sprung, left, piano, Trevor Rosen and lead singer, Matt Ramsey perform during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_95489 Host Anthony Mackie speaks at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Laura Savoie and Dennis Quaid, from left, appear in the audience. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_06776 Carrie Underwood performs "Ghost Story" remotely at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_13426 Carrie Underwood performs "Ghost Story" remotely at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_89745 LeAnn Rimes introduces a performance by Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_36709 Billy Gibbons, left, and Kane Brown introduce a performance by Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_39795 Billy Gibbons, left, and Kane Brown introduce a performance by Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
Music-CMT_Music_Awards_57920 Kane Brown, left, and Kelsea Ballerini, center, appear at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on June 9, 2021, and Anthony Mackie appears at the 76th edition of the Venice Film Festival, Venice, Italy, on Aug. 30, 2019. Ballerini and Mackie were set to host the CMT Music Awards but Ballerini will be co-hosting from home after she tested positive for COVID-19. Brown is stepping in as an additional co-host to help Mackie on-site. (AP Photo)
AP Photo
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_41409 Drummer, Whit Sellers, left, Brad Tursi, and Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion perform during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_90898 Old Dominion drummer Whit Sellers performs during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_02142 Old Dominion performs during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_90452 Carly Pearce performs "Diamondback" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_67068 Geoff Sprung, left and Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion perform during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_28379 Old Dominion drummer Whit Sellers performs during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_88894 Matt Ramsey, left, and Brad Tursi of Old Dominion perform during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_41716 Trevor Rosen of Old Dominion performs during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_85998 Geoff Sprung of Old Dominion performs during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
2022_CMT_Music_Awards_-_Show_54583 Matt Ramsey, left, and Brad Tursi of Old Dominion perform during the CMT Music Awards outdoor stage at the Walk of Fame Park on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean were the big winners, the Judds reunited, and Kelsea Ballerini turned a tough break into a one-woman house party at Monday night’s CMT music awards.
Underwood and Aldean won video of the year and collaborative video of the year for their duet “If I Didn’t Love You” on the show that uses fan votes to honor the best in country music videos.
“This one’s all about the fans man,” Underwood said as she accepted the belt-buckle CMT trophy for video of the year, a record 25th win for her.
“I’m pretty sure I picked the perfect partner for this song,” Aldean said.
The Judds made their first major awards show performance in over two decades, with 76-year-old Naomi and her 57-year-old daughter Wynonna singing their signature 1990 classic “Love Can Build a Bridge.”
They were joined by a gospel choir in the performance that was pre-recorded outside the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The show from the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee made the best of the last-minute absence of co-host Kelsea Ballerini, who tested positive for COVID-19 a few days earlier.
Her co-host, “Avengers” actor Anthony Mackie, took the stage alone at the start of the live CBS telecast and introduced a “backup KB,” Kane Brown, to help with hosting duties. Brown was also the night’s most nominated artist but came up empty.
But Ballerini wouldn’t be left out. She appeared on a big screen from home, decked out in a full awards-show dress in her living room.
“This is my normal Monday night, in full glam, with lighting I set up myself, and a remote truck outside,” Ballerini said. “I would so much rather be there with you, but I will be popping in all night long.”
Later in the show, Ballerini performed from her backyard, singing her new single “Heartfirst” alone with a white guitar while standing on the grass with images of her band projected on to a curtain hung behind her.
She made constant costume changes, appearing in a new dress for each appearance and ending the night in her pajamas.
Miranda Lambert won her eighth CMT award, for female video of the year, for “If I Was a Cowboy,” which she also performed.
“I am so happy to be a part of the women of country music today,” Lambert said.
Cody Johnson won male video of the year for ”′Til You Can’t.”
Maddie & Tae won best group or duo video for “Woman You Got.” Tae Kerr, who recently went through a difficult pregnancy and premature birth, appeared on a screen from home during their acceptance, holding her new baby.
“I’ve missed you, I’ve missed you so much, and I’ve been drinking because I’m so nervous,” Maddie Font said to her musical partner during an acceptance speech where she went from laughs to tears and back again. “Tell that baby girl I love her.”
At age 69, George Strait won his first ever CMT award, taking CMT performance of the year for “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone?” from “CMT Giants: Charley Pride’.”
Performances came fast and furious during the three hour show.
Keith Urban opened the telecast with his single “Wild Hearts,” followed immediately by the duet “Never Say Never” from Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson, who stepped out to the front of an outdoor stage to let the Nashville rain hit them as they sang.
Underwood sang her song “Ghost Story” in a pre-taped performance from her Las Vegas residency, taking flight mid-song Cirque du Soleil-style on a cloth swing hung from the ceiling.
Jimmie Allen, Monica and Little Big Town gave the first live performance of their collaboration “Pray.” All wore all white and stood on a smoke covered stage as inspirational images from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine were shown behind them.
The hosting change-up wasn’t the only hiccup the show faced: lightning forced the closure of the CMT’s pink carpet before most stars arrived to have their photos taken and be interviewed.
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This story has been corrected to show that Underwood has won 25 CMT awards.
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Dalton reported from Los Angeles.
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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton
