Gabby Barrett Surprised With Breakthrough Video of the Year Win at 2020 CMT Music Awards

Gabby Barrett took home her very first major awards show at the 2020 CMT Music Awards. The rising star was…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

October 21, 2020

8:37 pm

Gabby Barrett took home her very first major awards show at the 2020 CMT Music Awards.

The rising star was crowned with Breakthrough Video of the Year for her massive debut hit, “I Hope.”

Worldwide superstar Taylor Swift, who received the honor 13 years ago, was on hand to present Barrett with the award (via video).

“I don’t even know what to say because I didn’t think that I was going to win,” Barrett confessed.

“I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” she went on to say.

The American Idol alum also thanked her fans, husband, family and team.

Congrats to @GabbyBarrett_ on the Breakthrough Video of the Year win, presented by @KitKat_US®! 🏆 We are so inspired by you. Now excuse us while we listen to "I Hope" on repeat 🎸 pic.twitter.com/s4A9pFgnsI

— CMT (@CMT) October 22, 2020

“I Hope” appears on her debut album, Goldmine, and was co-written by Barrett alongside Jon Nite and Zach Kale. The song is certified Platinum in Canada and Triple Platinum in the United States.

Also nominated in the Breakthrough Video of the Year category were Blanco Brown’s “The Git Up,” Caylee Hammack’s “Family Tree,” Ingrid Andress’ “More Hearts Than Mine,” Riley Green’s “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” and Travis Denning’s “After a Few.”

The winner was determined via fan votes placed on CMT’s official website.

The 2020 CMT Music Awards aired Wednesday night (Oct. 21) on CMT and featured performances from Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Jimmie Allen, Noah Cyrus, Kelsea Ballerini, Halsey, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Brooks & Dunn, Maren Morris, Kane Brown, Morgan Wallen, Sam Hunt and Shania Twain as well as debut performances by Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Ingrid Andress, Mickey Guyton, Riley Green and Travis Denning.

Kane Brown, Ashley McBryde and Sarah Hyland served as co-hosts.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.