CMT Music Awards host Kelsea Ballerini contracts COVID-19, will host from home

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterThe CMT Music Awards aired for the first time on CBS and Paramount Plus Monday night, drawing 5.16 million viewers for the live telecast in early Nielsen numbers, which is up 521% from last year’s show on Paramount-owned cable channel CMT.The 5.16 million total viewer tally accounts for both linear ratings on CBA and live streams via television sets for Paramount Plus and other digital CBS platforms. The final Live + Same Day ratings for the 2022 CMT Awards, including out-of-home-viewing, will be released later Tuesday.

The Judds made their triumphant TV return on Monday at this year’s CMT Music Awards. Legendary mother-daughter duo Naomi and Wynonna Judd performed together for their first televised number in over 20 years.

Country star and actress Faith Hill was joined by her on-screen daughter in the Paramount Plus streaming series 1883 to present the final award at the 2022 CMT Music Awards. The 54-year-old Hill and 21-year-old May play Margaret Dutton and Elsa Dutton in the series, a prequel to Paramount Plus' Yellowstone. Hill and May reunited on stage at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville on Monday evening to present the biggest award of the night - Video of the Year, which was won by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood for If I Didn't Love You.

Kelsea Ballerini, who tested positive for COVID-19 days before Monday’s show.Ballerini’s co-host, actor Anthony Mackie, took the stage alone at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville after opening performances on the live CBS telecast of the single “Wild Hearts” by Keith Urban and the duet “Never Say Never” by Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson.“I know all of you were looking forward to seeing Kelsea Ballerini out here tonight on the stage, but she’s a little under the weather,” the “Avengers” actor Mackie said. “But just like the NFL has backup QBs, here at the CMA Awards, we have backup KBs.”He then brought out his substitute “KB,” singer Kane Brown, who was summoned to help with hosting duties.

2022 CMT Music Awards on Monday. This year's awards show saw some of music's brightest stars — including Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Mickey Guyton and more -- come together for one of country music's biggest nights.While last year's show was held in person, this year's event was also a celebration of a return to normality after last year's hybrid and socially distanced performances at venues across Nashville.Hosted by Anthony Mackie and Kelsea Ballerini, the show was forced to pivot at the last minute when Ballerini announced Monday that she tested positive for COVID-19.While Ballerini performed some of her duties from home, her co-host from 2021's show, Kane Brown, agreed to step in and host the show alongside Mackie.Despite the change in hosts, the night featured some hilarious moments, and a slew of incredible performances from the multitude of A-list entertainers including Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, The Judds, Keith Urban and Ballerini herself.And CMT’s most decorated artist of all time, Carrie Underwood, delivered a very special all-new performance from the Resorts World Theatre, home of her Las Vegas residency.Here's a look at the most memorable and jaw-dropping musical moments from Monday's big show.A Grand OpeningThis one goes out to all of the wild hearts ❤️

Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas just delivered an incredible performance. During Monday night's CMT Music Awards, the country singer and the psychedelic soul duo teamed up for a world premiere collaboration.During the show, Guyton, Eric Burton, and Adrian Quesada wowed the crowd with a performance of Black Pumas 2019 track, «Colors.»Ahead of the performance, Quesada told ET's Rachel Smith that, when he and Burton first rehearsed the track with Guyton, «It was combination goosebumps and combination, 'Hasn't she been in this band for five years?'»«It just felt very natural,» Guyton agreed.

The best date night in Music City! Country music’s hottest couples hit the red carpet at the 2022 CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.

Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde sadly missed out on the best Collaborative Video of the Year award at the 2022 CMT Music Awards on Monday night.MORE: 2022 CMT Music Awards' best-dressed stars: LeAnn Rimes, Maren Morris + moreCarly and Ashley were nominated for their duet, Never Wanted To Be That Girl, but were beaten by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood who scooped the prize for their song, If I Didn't Love You – and Carly had the perfect response to missing out on the accolade.WATCH: CMT Music Awards introduce 2022 performersSpeaking exclusively to HELLO! US, Carly revealed that the category was so tough this year, that anyone was deserving of the award."I think a lot of people put out really great songs in terms of collaborations, so I think that there are plenty of them who deserve [the award] in some form of fashion," she told us ahead of the ceremony.Exclusive: Carly Pearce teases exciting tour update that fans will loveMORE: CMT Music Awards 2022: The most stylish couples on the red carpet"Of course, I don't want to [lose out to one of them] but I would be fine with it," she added. VIEW GALLERY Carly performed at the 2022 CMT Music AwardsCarly looked stunning for the ceremony at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium, rocking a beautiful, sparkly green dress with a daring thigh-split.The night saw some incredible performances from some of country music's biggest stars, including Carly who admitted she was "very excited" to be performing by herself.Other performers included Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson, and Keith Urban, who opened the show.

2022 CMT Music Awards are here! Some of country music's biggest stars have turned out to see who will take home the coveted awards.Going into Monday's big show, Kane Brown led the pack with four nominations, while Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, and first-time nominees Breland and Cody Johnson earned three nods apiece. Meanwhile, Carrie Underwood was once again nominated for Video of the Year — an honor she's earned a staggering nine times.This year's CMT Music Awards also welcomed some rising stars and newcomers to the genre, with Breakthrough Video of the Year nominees including Elvie Shane, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block and Tenille Arts, and nods for cross-genre performances from H.E.R., Nelly, Gladys Knight and Paul Klein of LANY. So, who is walking away with some fancy new hardware this year? Well, ET will be updating the full list of the night's winners below throughout show, with the winners marked in Cody Johnson — “‘Til You Can't” Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson — “Never Say Never” Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood — “If I Didn't Love You” Kane Brown — “One Mississippi” Kelsea Ballerini feat.

2022 CMT Music Awards have kicked off at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium with the likes of Carly Pearce, Maren Morris, and Mickey Guyton walking the red carpet.MORE: 2022 CMT Music Awards' best-dressed stars: LeAnn Rimes, Maren Morris + moreFans can expect to see some incredible performances from the likes of Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and none other than Bryan Adams who will be joining Jason Alden live on stage.WATCH: CMT Awards introduce 2022 performersHowever, hours before the show kicked off it was announced there would be one major change - Kelsea Ballerini, who had been set to host with Captain America star Anthony Mackie, had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and would instead be virtually performing from her home.Kane Brown has stepped in to join Anthony as host in the auditorium.Carrie is the all-time CMT Awards record holder with an incredible 23, but will she pick up any more tonight? The singer is nominated for Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year for her hit single 'If I Didn't Love You' with Jason.Check back for all the winners of the night…Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood – If I Didn’t Love You Kane Brown – One Mississippi Cody Johnson – Til You Can't Kane Brown leads the 2022 nominations Brandi Carlile – Right On Time Gabby Barrett – Footprints On The Moon Kacey Musgraves – justified Maren Morris – Circles Around This Town Mickey Guyton – Remember Her Name Miranda Lambert – If I Was A Cowboy Tenille Arts – Back Then, Right NowCody Johnson – 'Til You Can't Eric Church – Heart On Fire Kane Brown – One Mississippi Luke Bryan – Waves Luke Combs – Forever After All Thomas Rhett – Country Again Walker Hayes – Fancy LikeBrothers Osborne – I'm Not For Everyone Dan + Shay –

Music City is coming to your living room! The 2022 CMT Music Awards will airs live from Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, April 11, and every major country star is going to be there.

2022 CMT Music Awards are here! Some of country music's biggest stars have turned out to see who will take home the coveted awards.Going into Monday's big show, Kane Brown led the pack with four nominations, while Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, and first-time nominees Breland and Cody Johnson earned three nods apiece. Meanwhile, Carrie Underwood was once again nominated for Video of the Year — an honor she's earned a staggering nine times.This year's CMT Music Awards also welcomed some rising stars and newcomers to the genre, with Breakthrough Video of the Year nominees including Elvie Shane, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block and Tenille Arts, and nods for cross-genre performances from H.E.R., Nelly, Gladys Knight and Paul Klein of LANY. So, who is walking away with some fancy new hardware this year? Well, ET will be updating the full list of the night's winners below throughout show, with the winners marked in Cody Johnson — “‘Til You Can't” Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson — “Never Say Never” Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood — “If I Didn't Love You” Kane Brown — “One Mississippi” Kelsea Ballerini feat.

Cowboy meets couture! Danielle Bradbery and more stars put their spin on country chic while walking the 2022 CMT Music Awards red carpet.

CMT Music Awards return tonight, April 11. Country music's only fan-voted awards show broadcasts live from Nashville's Municipal Auditorium (as well as several other Nashville hot spots) in an action-packed show you won't want to miss.Hosted by country powerhouse Kelsea Ballerini and Marvel star Anthony Mackie, the show's inaugural broadcast on CBS will feature performances from a lineup of country music's heaviest hitters including Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, Little Big Town, and show closer Kenny Chesney.

Making lemonade out of lemons. Kelsea Ballerini will host the 2022 CMT Music Awards from home after testing positive for COVID-19.

2022 CMT Music Awards are just around the corner, and the line-up is stacked with a roster of some of this year’s nominees and some winners from awards shows past.Kenny Chesney will close out the show, marking his first return to the CMT stage in seven years. The country crooner will be performing his hit song, «Beers in Mexico.»Chesney is also about to embark on his Here And Now 2022 tour, which kicks off at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on April 23.