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Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes were named as honorees for the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year, which Country Music Television announced on Wednesday morning (September 21) in a thread on Twitter: “We're so excited to celebrate these artists and their accomplishments at [CMT Artists of the Year] on October 14th at 8c on CMT!”
CMT will host the ceremony next month at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Each of the honorees “dominated” the last year in music across CMT’s platforms, including No. 1 singles and albums. This marks the first time being honored as CMT Artist of the Year for Pearce, Johnson and Hayes, and the third time for Brown and Combs, according to an announcement from CMT on Wednesday.
“We are honored to recognize the astounding achievements of this illustrious group of artists over the past year,” said Margaret Comeaux, CMT’s Senior Vice President of Production, Music & Events, in a statement. “Carly, Cody, Kane, Luke and Walker all represent the vibrant future of the country music format, as they defy convention and blaze new trails, breaking industry records and genre barriers. We can’t wait to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments alongside their fellow artists and friends.”
The CMT Artists of the Year special will include all-star performances as tributes to the honorees, and other special guests and musical pairings to be announced in the coming weeks, according to CMT.
The honorees shared the news on their own social media channels on Wednesday, including Johnson, who expressed that he’s “so honored” to be named one of the CMT Artists of the Year.
“The last year of my life has been out of a country music fairytale,” Pearce gushed. The dreams I’ve had since I was a little girl made their way to reality. Thank you [CMT] for naming me one of their Artists of the Year. What a year it’s been for a girl who always wanted to sing country music.”
Pearce will be performing during the 2022 Daytime Stage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 24th. Fans can tune in to stream live via iHeartMedia radio stations throughout the country across more than 150 markets, and watch via an exclusive national television broadcast special on The CW Network in October. Find available tickets here.
Combs will be performing at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Festival this September, and fans can tune in and watch live via an exclusive stream each night on September 23rd and 24th on The CW app and CWTV.com. The CW Network will also broadcast a two-night television special this October. Additionally, the festival will be broadcast live for fans via iHeartRadio stations throughout the country across more than 150 markets, and on the iHeartRadio app. Find available tickets.