Our Predictions For The 2023 CMT Awards

Buckle up, y'all - it's almost time for the CMT Awards! One of three major awards shows in country music, the CMTs celebrate the best of the genre's music videos and performances every year. The CMTs are special, as their results are determined by fan votes! Now that the voting period is closed, it's time to make our guesses on who might take the trophies home.

We've got a very talented crop of nominees this year, making it pretty difficult to figure out who might win - but ultimately, we've come to some predictions!

Video Of The Year

Finalists: Blake Shelton - "No Body", Carrie Underwood - "Hate My Heart", HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson - "wait in the truck", Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown - "Thank God", Cody Johnson - "Human", Morgan Wallen - "You Proof"

Our Pick: Morgan Wallen, "You Proof"

Since the reveal of this category’s finalists earlier this week, our money has been on Morgan Wallen. “You Proof” was a spectacular way for this superstar to turn the page from the album cycle of Dangerous to One Thing At A Time - and it’s accompanied by one cinematic masterpiece of a music video. Fresh off of releasing a 36-song masterpiece, Morgan is in a great position to take home more awards.

Female Video Of The Year

Nominees: Carly Pearce - "What He Didn't Do", Carrie Underwood - "Ghost Story", Gabby Barrett - "Pick Me Up", Kelsea Ballerini - “HEARTFIRST”, Lainey Wilson - "Heart Like A Truck", Maren Morris - "Humble Quest", Miranda Lambert - "Actin' Up"

Our Pick: Carly Pearce - "What He Didn't Do"

We predict that the current number one song on country radio right now (!!!) will take home this trophy! Carly has had a record-breaking year after the immense success of her 29: Written In Stone album cycle. “What He Didn’t Do” is one of the most meaningful and resonant songs that has been released in the last year. Her loyal fanbase will do anything to make sure their queen takes all the awards home, with longtime fans even leading voting teams for the star. The strong connection between Carly and her fans is unmatched - if there’s anyone who would vote during power hour everyday without fail, it’s them.

Male Video Of The Year

Nominees: Bailey Zimmerman - "Rock and A Hard Place", Cody Johnson - "Human", Cole Swindell - "She Had Me At Heads Carolina", Jelly Roll - "Son Of A Sinner", Kane Brown - "Like I Love Country Music", Luke Combs - "The Kind Of Love We Make", Morgan Wallen - "Wasted On You"

Our Pick: Morgan Wallen - "Wasted On You"

Once again, we think it’s going to Morgan Wallen! "Wasted On You" represents the singer's edgier, more mainstream-influenced side - but that said, the star's discography truly contains something for everyone. He has also started his sold out One Night At A Time tour, and country music fans have been enjoying it from both the stadiums themselves and TikTok.

Breakthrough Female Video Of The Year

Nominees: Avery Anna - "Narcissist", Kylie Morgan - "If He Wanted To He Would", MacKenzie Porter - "Pickup", Megan Moroney - "Tennessee Orange", Morgan Wade - "Wilder Days", Tiera Kennedy - "Found It In You"

Our Pick: Kylie Morgan - "If He Wanted To He Would"

Since the breakthrough success of “Bridesmaids,” Kylie Morgan’s star has been rising as she chronicles her life through heartfelt songs. Her song lyrics, especially those of “If He Wanted To He Would,” read like diary entries and speak to young girls across the board. Kylie represents Nashville’s next crop of talent extraordinarily well, thanks to her authenticity, effortless lyricism, distinctive voice, and masterful storytelling.

Breakthrough Male Video Of The Year

Nominees: Bailey Zimmerman - "Fall In Love", Corey Kent - "Wild as Her", Drake Milligan - "Sounds Like Something I'd Do", Jackson Dean - "Don't Come Lookin'", Jelly Roll - "Son Of A Sinner", Nate Smith - "Whiskey On You"

Our Pick: Jackson Dean - "Don't Come Lookin'"

Jackson Dean is one of the most powerful rising voices in country music. The charged, energetic “Don’t Come Lookin” and its accompanying music video took his growing fanbase to new heights. It’s a song that’s been stuck in our heads ever since it came out!

Group/Duo Video Of The Year

Nominees: Dan + Shay - "You (Performance Video)", Lady A - "Summer State Of Mind", Little Big Town - "Hell Yeah", Parmalee - "Take My Name", The War And Treaty - "That's How Love Is Made", Zac Brown Band - "Out In The Middle"

Our Pick: Dan + Shay - "You (Performance Video)"

The duos always comprise a significant aspect of pop-country music, and this year Dan + Shay has been the one to dominate country radio. “You” showcases the duo’s amazing harmonies and continued mastery of love songs. The steady and swoon-worthy song has remained a staple on our playlists this year.

Collaborative Video Of The Year

Nominees: Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley - "Worth A Shot", HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson - "wait in the truck", Ingrid Andress with Sam Hunt - "Wishful Drinking", Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown - "Thank God", Midland feat. Jon Pardi - "Longneck Way To Go", Russell Dickerson feat. Jake Scott - "She Likes It", Thomas Rhett & Katy Perry - "Where We Started"

Our Pick: Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown - "Thank God"

We haven’t seen this kind of compelling love duet, sung by a real-life couple, in a while. Kane and Katelyn deliver the genuine, heartfelt lyrics of “Thank God” in perfect harmonies; viewers of the music video can feel their love for each other. Furthermore, this song represents Katelyn coming out of her shell and overcoming her stage fright. We’re so proud of her, and we love the Brown family!

CMT Performance Of The Year

Nominees: Black Pumas & Mickey Guyton - "Colors" (from 2022 CMT Music Awards), Chris Stapleton - "Whenever You Come Around" (from CMT Giants: Vince Gill), Cody Johnson - "'Til You Can't" (from 2022 CMT Music Awards), Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson - "Never Say Never" (from 2022 CMT Music Awards), Darius Rucker - "Let Her Cry" (from CMT Storytellers), Emmy Russell & Lukas Nelson - "Lay Me Down" (from Coal Miner's Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn), Keith Urban - "Wild Hearts" (from 2022 CMT Music Awards), LeAnn Rimes with Ashley McBryde & Carly Pearce - "One Way Ticket" (from CMT Crossroads: LeAnn Rimes & Friends), The Judds - "Love Can Build A Bridge" (from 2022 CMT Music Awards), Wynonna Judd & Brandi Carlile - "The Rose" (from Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration)

Our Pick: LeAnn Rimes with Ashley McBryde & Carly Pearce - "One Way Ticket" (from CMT Crossroads: LeAnn Rimes & Friends)

We’ve got a pretty good group here - and two out of three members recently won a CMT, ACM, CMA, number one song, and Grammy together! Plus, you’ve got LeAnn Rimes, one of the defining forces of country music since the 2000s. Put them all together and there’s no way they won’t take this home.

CMT Digital-First Performance Of The Year

Nominees: Charley Crockett - "Time of the Cottonwood Trees "(from CMT Campfire Sessions), Chris Young - "Gettin' You Home" (from CMT Stages), Ingrid Andress - "Wishful Drinking" (from CMT Studio Sessions), Jelly Roll - "Son of A Sinner" (from CMT All Access), Megan Moroney - "Tennessee Orange" (from CMT Viral To Verified), Scotty McCreery - "Damn Strait" (from CMT Campfire Sessions)

Our Pick: Megan Moroney - "Tennessee Orange" (from CMT Viral To Verified)

Megan Moroney has finally gained the recognition she deserves in this past year, thanks to her breakthrough with “Tennessee Orange.” The song’s intriguing concept and music video got everyone talking, and more importantly it introduced audiences to Megan’s unique, raw storytelling. This rising star is also set to drop her debut album “Lucky” very soon - with its recently released title track inspiring us to take some adventurous risks, and line dance all night long!

Regardless of the outcome, we're so proud of all the nominees and their work! Don't forget to tune into the CMT Awards at 8:00 PM EST - Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown will be hosting, and the ceremony will also feature an impressive lineup of performances. We can barely hold our excitement!