Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett have been named the 2019 CMT Artists of the Year, the network announced on Tuesday.
The artists will be honored as the top country artists of 2019 during the 10th Annual CMT Artists of the Year special, broadcasting live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, October 16 at 8pm ET/PT.
The 90-minute special will highlight the five Artists of the Year with surprise musical pairings and special guests. Additionally, the live television special will feature a live-streamed remote performance from Underwood’s Cry Pretty Tour 360 in Cleveland, Ohio.
“These five, stand-out honorees have dominated country music this year and we look forward to paying tribute to each of them at the 10th year anniversary CMT Artists of the Year event,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy & Talent, CMT. “From first-time honorees Dan + Shay, Kane Brown and Luke Combs to two-time honoree Thomas Rhett and now five-time honoree Carrie Underwood, this incredible collection of talent coming together at what marks a pivotal time in each of their careers promises to be a night of incredible performances and reflection.”
Additional performers and presenters for the 2019 CMT Artists of the Year special will be announced at a later date.