Some Of Country Music’s Biggest Stars Didn’t Attend The CMT Music Awards This Year

The 2024 CMT Music Awards were held on Sunday (April 7), but some of country music’s biggest stars didn’t attend the ceremony.

This year’s CMT Music Awards took place in Austin, Texas. Kelsea Ballerini served as the host. She hosted the past three years with Kane Brown, but he did not return.

Performers included Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Trisha Yearwood, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and Kelsea Ballerini. There was also an all-star tribute to Toby Keith near the end of the ceremony.

Jelly Roll won three awards, including the night’s top prize for Video of the Year. He also won Male Video of the Year and Performance of the Year. Lainey Wilson won Female Video of the Year.

Despite it being one of country music’s most exciting nights, many big stars didn’t attend the CMT Music Awards this year. We’ve listed some of those stars here and the possible reasons why they didn’t show up for the ceremony.

Look Below To See The Country Artists Who Didn’t Attend The 2024 CMT Music Awards 

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood holds the record for the most wins in CMT Music Awards history. She’s won a total of 25 times.

Underwood also holds the record for the most Video of the Year wins. She’s taken home the coveted trophy ten times, most recently in 2022.

This year, Underwood was only nominated for one award, Performance of the Year for “Hate My Heart”. Jelly Roll ended up winning that category.

Underwood opted not to attend the CMT Music Awards this year. She may be enjoying some time at home after her most recent run of shows for her REFLECTIONS residency in Las Vegas, which resumes in May.

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks’ wife, Trisha Yearwood, was honored as the first recipient of the June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award. She also performed a new song during the ceremony.

But Brooks wasn’t in attendance. Yearwood told reporters on the red carpet he was likely “at the bar,” meaning his newly opened Friends in Low Places bar in downtown Nashville.

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert didn’t attend this year’s CMT Music Awards. The singer ended her Velvet Rodeo residency in Las Vegas on Friday (April 6).

Lambert also didn’t receive any nominations this year. So, she likely opted to rest up after a successful last run in Vegas!

Luke Combs

Luke Combs received one nomination at this year’s CMT Music Awards, for Male Video of the Year for “Fast Car.” Jelly Roll ended up winning the category.

But Combs didn’t attend the ceremony this year. He kicks off his Growin’ Up & Gettin’ Old Tour on April 12, and may be busy getting ready for that!

Morgan Wallen

Like Combs, Morgan Wallen also received one nomination this year, for Male Video of the Year. He was nominated for his video for his hit single, “Last Night.”

However, Wallen was in Nashville on the night of the CMT Music Awards. News broke the following morning (April 8) that he was arrested and charged with three felonies following an incident at Eric Church’s new Chief’s bar in downtown Nashville.

Reba McEntire

Country music legend Reba McEntire received a nomination in the Female Video of the Year category for her emotional video for “Back to God.” Lainey Wilson ended up winning the award.

But McEntire didn’t attend the CMT Music Awards this year. She’s currently a coach on The Voice and is also preparing a new NBC sitcom, so she has her plate full!

Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan and Jon Pardi’s music video for “Cowboys and Plowboys” earned a nod in the Collaborative Video of the Year category. They lost the award to Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton.

Bryan did not attend the CMT Music Awards this year. He serves as a judge on the current season of American Idol and starts his new Mind of a Country Boy Tour on April 17.

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton was another big country star who didn’t attend the CMT Music Awards. He didn’t receive any nominations this year.

Shelton just wrapped up his Back to the Honky Tonk Tour on March 29, so he was likely getting some much-needed rest at home!

Chris Stapleton

When Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton won the award for Collaborative Video of the Year, Pearce took to the stage to give an acceptance speech solo. Stapleton was not in attendance.

But the singer had a pretty big reason for missing the ceremony. He’s currently on tour and had a show in Minneapolis on Saturday (April 6).

Dan + Shay

Like Stapleton, Dan + Shay are also on tour at the moment. The new Voice coaches had a concert the evening of the CMT Music Awards.

Later, when Dan + Shay won the award for Duo/Group Video of the Year, they accepted the trophy via video call right before they went onstage!

Kane & Katelyn Brown

Kane and Katelyn Brown won the Video of the Year award at last year’s ceremony. But the couple didn’t attend the CMT Music Awards this year.

Why didn’t we get to see the Browns at this year’s ceremony? For starters, Katelyn is currently pregnant with their third child. Secondly, Kane is in the middle of his 2024 tour, and had a concert on April 6 in Buffalo, New York.

Who did you miss seeing at the CMT Music Awards this year?