Kelsea Ballerini Set to Host and Perform at 2024 CMT Music Awards (Exclusive)

Kelsea Ballerini is set to return as host of the 2024 CMT Music Awards, which will air live April 7 on CBS.

The four-time Grammy nominee also will perform during the show, taking place at Austin’s Moody Center.

This will mark the fourth consecutive year Ballerini has hosted the show. In 2021 and 2023, Ballerini hosted alongside Kane Brown; she hosted the 2022 show remotely.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be back for my fourth year with my CMT family to host this year’s CMT Music awards in Austin, Texas,” Ballerini said. “Hosting an awards show that celebrates the music that the fans love most has been an honor and I know this year will be another unforgettable night.”

Ballerini has notched five back-to-back top 10 entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. She also has seven No. 1 singles and 31 gold and platinum RIAA certifications to date, with hits including the double-platinum “Miss Me More” and “Peter Pan.”

In addition to her Grammy noms, she has won two ACM Awards and two CMA Awards and received multiple career nominations from the ACM Awards, American Music Awards, CMA Awards, CMT Awards and People’s Choice Awards.

This year, Ballerini graced the cover of Time magazine’s 2023 TIME100 Next issue, recognizing the 100 emerging leaders from around the world who are shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership. She also earned nominations for two 2023 CMA Awards: album of the year and female vocalist of the year, plus a Grammy nom for best country album.

The 2024 CMT Awards will air live on April 7 at 8-11 p.m. ET (delayed on the West Coast) on CBS and will be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

Nominations, performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Winners are voted on by fans.

The 2024 CMT Awards production team includes Margaret Comeaux (CMT), John Hamlin (Switched On Entertainment), Leslie Fram (CMT) and Jason Owen (Sandbox Entertainment) as executive producers; Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino as executives in charge of production; and Taryn Hurd as talent producer. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster and MoodyCenterATX.com. 

Watch a promo for the show below.