In case you missed it...
The CMT 2021 Artist of the Year event goes down tonight at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, celebrating Chris Stapleton, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, and Luke Combs. The network notes these five artists “collectively dominated the last 12 months in country music, leading across all CMT platforms, scoring chart-topping albums and singles, while simultaneously finding creative ways to connect with fans and meet the personal and professional challenges posed by the pandemic.” In addition, Mickey Guyton will be honored as Breakout Artist of the Year, while Randy Travis will be honored as CMT Artist of a Lifetime, with Garth Brooks and Jon Pardi set to pay tribute to the legendary artist. The night will include solo performances by Gabby, Kane, and Luke, with Kelsea performing with the Jonas Brothers remotely from the band’s “Remember This” tour. Chris will be celebrated with a never-before-seen collaboration between Boyz II Men and Pentatonix’s Kevin Olosula, while Mickey, will team with Yola on stage. The night will also feature Walker Hayes treating fans to the first-ever award show performance of his smash hit “Fancy Like.” The CMT 2021 Artist of the Year airs 9 pm on CMT. ONE MORE THING! As we told you, Jon Pardi recorded his tribute to Randy at the Nashville Palace, and it turns out Randy was there to surprise him during the performance, which brought Jon close to tears. “You don’t remember everything when you’re young, but my grandmother loved you and loved country music,” Pardi said. “Ya’ll got me. Ya’ll be doing me dirty. I was just here to sing!” Check it out below.
Reba McEntire is hitting the road next year. The singer just announced dates for hew new “Reba: Live In Concert” tour. The trek will feature an all-female lineup of special guests, including Brandy Clark, Hannah Dasher, Caylee Hammack, Reyna Roberts, Cailtyn Smith, Brittney Spencer, and Tenille Townes on select dates. Several of them took to social media with the news, sharing covers of their favorite Reba tunes. After two November dates in Durant, Oklahoma, the 2022 tour is set to kick of January 13thin Evansville, Indiana, and wrap March 19thin Rosemont, Illinois. Check out the complete schedule when you click here. Tickets go on sale Friday.