Country music stars prepare for an 'action-packed' CMT Awards show at Austin's Moody Center
Two days ahead of the CMT Awards, country music stars are finalizing their sound checks on a set that depicts a deconstructed version of the Congress Avenue bat bridge.
The artists taking the Moody Center stage on Sunday night include Trisha Yearwood, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt, Cody Johnson, Sugarland, Jason Aldean and Megan Moroney.
“I have four outfits,” says Moroney who has two performances, an award presentation and her red-carpet appearance. “It’s going to be a fashion show.”
Moroney plans to wear her hair in a variety of different ways, up and down, to complement each outfit. She will sing a duet with Old Dominion, “Can't Break Up Now,” and perform her song, “No Caller ID.”
“Let's give 'No Caller ID' her moment,” Moroney says. “I’ll have my sparkly guitar.”
Kelsea Ballerini returns to Austin to host the three-hour event that airs on CBS and Paramount+ from 7 to 10 p.m. CST. She'll also perform her recently reimagined version of “Love Me Like You Mean It.”
"I love hosting because it gives me an opportunity to be more involved in all of it," Ballerini says. "I was really excited to be back this year."
Making her arena debut is a name to note: Dasha. The 24-year-old country star's song "Austin" blew up on TikTok, racking up six billion views and earning her a slot to perform.
"I'm speechless," she says in her jean vest and bedazzled diamond belt. “I finally feel like I’m over the fence. I've been waiting so long to get over this fence. And finally, we're here, and so many doors are opening, and so many people have their arms wide open to support, and it feels so good, and I'm so grateful."
Dasha’s 2024 is a milestone year. “Austin” breached the Billboard Hot 100 chart, landed her a contract with Warner Records and launched a tour with Parker McCollum.
“When I found out I was playing the CMT Awards, I started running on the treadmill and singing as much as possible,” she says. “I feel like I have a lot to prove to the country community, being the newbie, and I really want to blow them out of the water.”
The production team has been making final adjustments to the cameras to make sure the performances go off without a hitch. One performer who can’t wait to get on the stage is Jelly Roll.
“It’s going to be action-packed,“ Jelly Roll says of his performance. “It’s going to be a lot of movement. I’m going to touch every corner of the stage.”
When it comes to the most nominations, the “Need A Favor” singer is in a five-way tie with Ballerini, Wilson, Moroney and Johnson. He says he’s blessed to be in the same categories with some of country’s top talent.
“I’m sitting next to Cody Johnson who is one of my closest friends in the world,” Jelly Roll says. “We’re gonna be shooting tequila and laughing.”
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Country stars talk music, fashion and viral hits ahead of CMT Awards
