CMT just revealed that Chris Stapleton, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Combs have been named 2021 Artists of the Year.
The country stars will be celebrated during the 2021 CMT Artists of the Year special, airing live Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, October 13 at 9p/8c.
According to a press release, the artists were selected as they have 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 past year.
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“’We are honored to recognize these five incredible artists who have entertained and inspired millions through their music this past year,” Margaret Comeaux, Executive Producer and Vice President, Production of CMT, shares. “We look forward to returning to the Schermerhorn with a live show as we celebrate the accomplishments of Chris, Kane, Kelsea, Gabby and Luke.”
This year’s Artists of the Year special will return to its original format after changing in 2020 to honor those on the frontlines.
The special promises to bring some of music’s biggest stars together to celebrate Stapleton, Brown, Ballerini, Barrett and Combs.
Musical pairings, special guests, additional honorees, performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
