CMT will also release a one-hour special dedicated to the late country hitmaker
Lainey Wilson, Sammy Hagar, and more will honor Toby Keith at the 2024 CMT Music Awards.
Brooks & Dunn, Lukas Nelson, and Roger Clemens will also pay tribute to the late country hitmaker, who died in February at age 62 from stomach cancer. Details of the performance have yet to be revealed, but odds are high they’ll play Keith classics like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “Beer For My Horses,” and more.
The show, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, takes place on Sunday at the Moody Center in Austin and airs live from CBS. Ballerini, Wilson, Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney, and Cody Johnson all tied with three nominations each. Wilson and Jelly Roll are slated to perform alongside Tricia Yearwood.
Keith received 30 CMT nominations during his career, of which he won seven. He co-hosted the show in 2003 (alongside Pamela Anderson) and 2012 (with Kristen Bell). CMT will also release a one-hour tribute special to Keith, premiering on April 11.
There was an outpouring of grief in the country music industry following the news of Keith’s death. “Toby Keith was one of the greats in every way. He will be missed but his music and legacy will live on,” wrote Dolly Parton, while Carrie Underwood said, “Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ‘cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!! Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir.”