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Kelsea Ballerini and Anthony Mackie are teaming up to host this year’s CMT Music Awards. CMT called for a “drum roll, please” when the network introduced the two hosts of the 2022 awards show in a new tweet on Thursday morning (March 10): “Can't wait to see them both LIVE on [CBS], April 11!”
The show is set to air from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+, hosted live from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium and other locations around the city. CMT announced the new info in February after confirming it would push the 2022 awards show to avoid conflict with the rescheduled 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards. The Recording Academy previously revealed that the new date for the GRAMMYs would be Sunday, April 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas; however, the rescheduled date overlapped the CMTs. Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music, Live Events & Alternative Programming, CBS, in a statement last month: “The biggest and best moments in music are coming to CBS this April.”
“I had the pleasure of presenting at last year’s CMT Music Awards and received the warmest welcome from the country music community and the city of Nashville,” first-time host Mackie said in a statement. “I can’t wait to get back to Music City to co-host this year’s awards with the amazing Kelsea Ballerini.”
Ballerini, who hosted the CMT Music Awards with Kane Brown last year, shared the news on her Instagram story that she’s “back, baby!!!” She added in a statement: “I’m thrilled to be returning as host at this year’s CMT Awards with Anthony Mackie! This award show is always a special one, as it revolves around the fans and celebrates their favorite artists. This year is especially cool to be a part of as CMT grows into a network spot and expands for even more fans to get involved. It’s going to be a big one and I can’t wait!”
Nominations will be announced on CBS Mornings on Wednesday, March 16. Fan voting will run until April 4. Performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks, according to CMT. Check out CMT’s latest announcement here: