JUST IN: Kenny Chesney Will Close The 2022 CMT Music Awards
Chesney will return to the CMT stage for first time in seven years to perform ahead of his Here And Now 2022 Tour.
Kenny Chesney; Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for CMT
Monday’s CMT Music Awards will conclude with a bang as country superstar Kenny Chesney is set to close out the show.
Chesney, who is in the midst of rehearsals for his upcoming Here And Now 2022 Tour, was so anxious for his long-awaited return to the road, he phoned CMT to ask if there was space for him to join in.
“You just know when something’s white-hot,” Chesney said of the energy he’s felt in rehearsals with his band. “I can’t wait for people to see where this band is, and I realized: even when we get to Raymond James Stadium on April 23, most people won’t get to see it until we hit their town!
“I know there are some very passionate people who are coming into Tampa to be part of flying the No Shoes Nation Flag for the first time since 2019, and I can’t wait to hear them roar. But when I realized the CMT Music Awards were happening next week, I asked if they could find space for us to debut this band, to play one of those songs that defined what we do live all those years ago – and they said, ‘C’mon.’”
The CMT Music Awards is where the East Tennessee native earned his very first top prize, Video of the Year in 2002. Since then, Kenny Chesney has become known for his impactful music videos.
“When you do video right, it’s a lot like hitting the stage with everything you’ve got,” he explained. “You can give people so much more than a song or a record; you can show them the power and the emotion that’s driving what’s inside the songs. So, for us to come be part of this Monday, it’s bringing who we are live to a place people have seen so many of these videos.
“And it’s always great to be able to close down the night! For us, to be part of what will change people’s lives, to show what’s possible and to celebrate how rocking the music is? That’s why we all do what we do. And as everyone knows, my road family and I live by the battle cry – ‘Who lives like we do? WE DO!’ So, here’s to Monday night, and seeing how live this can be.”
Chesney’s CMT Awards performance will mark the debut of his two new band members, drummer Nick Buda and guitarist Danny Rader.
Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Anthony Mackie, the 2022 CMT Music Awards will broadcast LIVE from Nashville on Monday, April 11th (8:00-11:00 PM LIVE ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network and is available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+*.
Kenny Chesney’s Here And Now Tour, also featuring Dan + Shay, Old Dominion and Carly Pearce, is slated to kick off in Tampa, FL at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, April 23.
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.
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