Sunday night's 2024 CMT Music prizes honored Jelly Roll with three prizes for country music videos. His first prize was CMT performance of the year for his gospel-assisted rendition of “Need a Favor” at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. It was his first awards show performance.
In that last year you changed my life in every way I never thought my life could be changed,” the tattooed rapper-turned-country breakout star said in an emotional acceptance speech from Austin's Moody Center. It aired live on CBS and Paramount+. His “Need A Favor” music video won male video of the year and video of the year, the night's greatest honor.
“I’m having one of the best nights of my life,” he added, before addressing adolescent detainees seeking “second chances.” It takes what a man said, ‘you don’t change until the agony to remain the same is more than the suffering it takes to change,’ and it does. Texas, I love you.”
Jelly Roll won three honors at the 2023 awards presentation with his larger-than-life personality and outsider music. For the fourth year, Kelsea Ballerini presented the awards, opening with a comedy sketch about reading country music stars' minds that finished with Keith Urban cuddling Buc-ee's beaver mascot.
Her multiple clothing changes were the first of several shocks, including Melissa Etheridge singing “Come to My Window” with Ballerini. Early on, Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton won collaboration video of the year for “We Don’t Fight Anymore.” She praised Stapleton, who was absent, and “Fans, fans, fans, fans!”
First-time winner Ashley Cooke won breakthrough female video for "Your Place." “I just won a CMT award, oh my god, good night!” she cheered and left the stage. Warren Zeiders won the male version of "Pretty Little Poison," praising God and his parents, his best friend.
Fast and rapid live performances. Cody Johnson, a three-time CMT winner from Texas, opened the 2024 event with “That’s Texas.” Jason Aldean played “Let Your Boys Be Country” at the University of Texas at Austin, a less controversial choice than “Try That in a Small Town.” The music video was taken off CMT last year.
Megan Moroney sang “No Caller ID,” her breakup song, at CMT, while Parker McCollum and Brittney Spencer performed “Burn It Down.” NEEDTOBREATHE and Jordan Davis tackled “Brother” and “Next Thing You Know” to tease “CMT Crossroads.” Lainey Wilson reminded the crowd that “Country’s Cool Again,” then Bailey Zimmerman sang “Where It Ends” outdoors. “Straight Line” is Keith Urban's first single from his upcoming album.
stay turned for development