2024 CMT Music Awards Nominees Revealed: Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, and a Wave of First-Timers Lead the Pack

The 2024 CMT Music Awards are shaping up to be a landmark night for country music, with organizers unveiling a slate of nominees that blends superstar power with a thrilling infusion of fresh faces. Announced Wednesday, the list is headlined by five artists—Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney—each scoring three nods for country’s first fan-voted award show. But the biggest story might be the 14 first-time nominees, including such diverse talents as Hozier, Zach Bryan, and former 'Glee' star Amber Riley, signaling a genre that’s expanding its borders like never before.

Scheduled for Sunday, April 7, in Austin, Texas, the ceremony will once again be hosted by the ever-charismatic Kelsea Ballerini. Fans can cast their votes at vote.cmt.com, making this one of the few major award shows where the audience truly holds the remote control. Below, we break down the key categories, the history-making nominations, and what this year’s lineup tells us about the state of country music.

A Historic Slate of First-Timers

CMT has leaned into its reputation for championing rising stars, and the 2024 nominees reflect that commitment. Among the 14 first-time nominees are country heavyweights-in-the-making like Tyler Childers (nominated for 'In Your Love' in both Video of the Year and Breakthrough Male Video of the Year), the soulful Zach Bryan ('Nine Ball' and 'Oklahoma Smokeshow'), and the genre-blending Koe Wetzel. But the list also includes surprising crossovers: Irish folk-rock sensation Hozier, who earned a nod for his CMT Crossroads performance with Maren Morris, and rock icon Bret Michaels, recognized for his collaboration with Chris Janson.

Perhaps most striking is the inclusion of Amber Riley, best known for her role on 'Glee', who landed a CMT Performance of the Year nomination for her powerhouse rendition of 'R.E.S.P.E.C.T.' during CMT’s Smashing Glass event. This diverse array of nominees underscores how country music’s umbrella continues to widen, absorbing influences from pop, rock, and R&B while still honoring its roots.

The Heavy Hitters: Five Artists With Three Nods Each

The five artists leading the pack—Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney—represent a cross-section of modern country. Johnson, a traditionalist with a baritone that evokes ’90s honky-tonk, is up for Video of the Year ('The Painter'), Male Video of the Year, and CMT Performance of the Year ('Human'). Meanwhile, Jelly Roll—whose genre-hopping career spans hip-hop and country—earned nods for Video of the Year ('Need a Favor'), Male Video of the Year, and CMT Performance of the Year (for the same song, performed at the 2023 CMT Music Awards).

Kelsea Ballerini, who will pull double duty as host and nominee, is in the running for Video of the Year ('IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)'), Female Video of the Year ('Penthouse'), and CMT Performance of the Year (also for 'IF YOU GO DOWN'). Lainey Wilson, fresh off her CMA Entertainer of the Year win, continues her hot streak with nominations for Video of the Year ('Watermelon Moonshine'), Female Video of the Year, and Collaborative Video of the Year. Megan Moroney rounds out the quintet, competing in Female Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year, and CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year.

Key Categories: A Closer Look

Video of the Year remains the marquee category, with 16 nominees battling for the top prize. Standouts include Ashley McBryde’s 'Light On In The Kitchen', Brandy Clark and Brandi Carlile’s 'Dear Insecurity', and Jelly Roll’s 'Need a Favor'. Also in the mix: Tyler Childers’ poignant 'In Your Love' and Zach Bryan’s 'Nine Ball'—both of which have become streaming juggernauts.

Female Video of the Year features a compelling lineup that includes Reba McEntire—a living legend who keeps proving her relevance with 'Seven Minutes In Heaven'—alongside rising stars like Megan Moroney and established hitmakers like Kacey Musgraves ('Deeper Well').

Male Video of the Year is similarly stacked, with Luke Combs earning a nod for his official live video of the Tracy Chapman cover 'Fast Car', which became a cross-generational phenomenon. Morgan Wallen also appears via his 'Last Night (One Record At A Time Sessions)' performance, continuing his reign as one of the format’s most streamed artists.

Duo/Group Video of the Year offers a mix of veteran acts like Dan + Shay and Old Dominion alongside relative newcomers Tigirlily Gold, while Collaborative Video of the Year features the buzzy Ella Langley and Koe Wetzel pairing 'That’s Why We Fight' and Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real featuring Lainey Wilson.

The CMT Next Women of Country and Breakthrough Categories

CMT’s commitment to female artists is on full display in the four 2024 CMT Next Women of Country members who received first-time nominations: Anne Wilson, Ella Langley, The Castellows, and Tigirlily Gold. All four are vying in either Breakthrough Female Video of the Year or other categories. The Breakthrough Female Video of the Year slot includes Anne Wilson’s 'Rain In The Rearview' and Ashley Cooke’s 'your place', while the Breakthrough Male Video of the Year, presented by Walt Disney World, features Chayce Beckham, Tyler Childers, Warren Zeiders, and Zach Bryan—proving the male pipeline is equally robust.

CMT Performance of the Year: A Trip Down Memory Lane

This category celebrates the most memorable live moments on CMT’s platforms. Carrie Underwood’s fiery 'Hate My Heart' from the 2023 CMT Music Awards goes head-to-head with Dierks Bentley’s 'Drunk On A Plane' from CMT Storytellers and Hozier and Maren Morris’s 'Take Me To Church' from CMT Crossroads. The inclusion of Bret Michaels and Chris Janson’s 'Nothing But a Good Time' proves that CMT isn’t afraid to rock, while Amber Riley’s soulful 'R.E.S.P.E.C.T.' offers a moment of pure vocal prowess.

Why This Year’s Nominees Matter

The 2024 CMT Music Awards arrive at a pivotal moment for country music. The genre is experiencing a cultural renaissance, driven by artists who defy easy categorization—from Jelly Roll’s raw authenticity to Zach Bryan’s indie-folk ethos. The fact that fans vote directly for winners means that the results often reflect real-time passion rather than industry gatekeeping. Past wins have launched careers: Lainey Wilson’s multiple 2023 victories helped catapult her to arena-headlining status.

Additionally, the show’s relocation to Austin—a city known for its live music scene—underscores CMT’s desire to align with country’s evolving heartland. Ballerini’s return as host (she also emceed in 2022 and 2023) provides continuity and a familiar face for viewers.

With voting now open, the race is tight—but if history is any guide, expect upsets, emotional acceptance speeches, and perhaps a few surprise performances. The 2024 CMT Music Awards will air live on Sunday, April 7, and promises to be a celebration of a genre that’s bigger, bolder, and more inclusive than ever. As the ballot box fills with fan votes, one thing is certain: country music’s future has never sounded so exciting.

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