The 2014 CMT Awards aired live on CMT Wednesday evening kicking off CMA Music Fest week. Starting the show with a performance from Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and ZZ Top might have ruined it for traditional country fans all together who still prefer old school country to the modern day country pop sound. Hosting the show as a solo act this year Kristen Bell had snappy come backs and hijinks, some didn't fly so well, though at times found her groove. The night's highlighted performances were many including Little Big Town's performance of their brand new single "Day Drinking", the romping summer themed song gives last years hit Pontoon a sequel and this is it.Flying paint drenches on the performance and the crowd all together making it the most memorable performance of the evening. It was a night for Eric Church's take no BS attitude jived the larger than life crowd and his fellow peers. "That's Damn Rock N' Roll" is a reminder of the days of Johnny Cash and Johnny Paycheck who made a mark in country music history. Keith Urban took a more intimate approach with his performance of "Cop Car" with The Bluebird Cafe back drop taking us where it all began performing at night clubs. The most influential moment was the CMT Impact Award, Carrie Underwood was honored to present to Alan Jackson who has given fans more than 50 singles to date, the performance tribute from Lee Ann Womack and Kacey Musgraves was a match made in heaven, "Livin' On Love" couldn't sound better than Alan performing it himself. True country came alive. Jennifer Nettles returned to the CMT Music stage this year with Hunter Hayes and R&B singer John Legend, the moving ballad "All Of Me" struck a cord in all of us. As much as there were performances there was less time for acceptance speeches. The only female in the category for Breakthrough Artist Cassadee Pope looked dim, however took the buckle by surprise and was floored by the win. Female empowerment couldn't look better from a female country artist these days and Blake Shelton was estatic for her. Brantley Gilbert was flying high with his performance of "Bottoms Up" the number 1 song in country music soared through the crowd showing his love and appreciation to fans took a leap, a perfect back flip. What a bold move. As if that wasn't enough Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood strutted their high rising stilettos and big hair giving rock n' roll a good name with their performance of "Something Bad". To top off the last of the performances Blake Shelton takes us outside downtown Nashville with "Boys 'Round Here", the city lights were bright and the crowd was partying hard. Country music lit up the night with the largest crowd to date for CMA Music Fest week. Knowingly thinking all of the United States were in attendance.
For more from the 2014 CMT Music Awards visit the official page for performances, acceptance speeches, the Wonder Wall photo booth and so much more. CMT: CMT Music Awards 2014
Winners
Group Video of the Year "Done" The Band Perry
Breakthrough Video of the Year "Wasting All These Tears On You" Cassadee Pope
Male Video of the Year "Doin' What She Likes" Blake Shelton
CMT Performance of the Year "Oh No/Night Long" Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie ( from 2013 CMT Artists of the Year)
Collaborative Video of the Year "This Is How We Roll" Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan
Female Video of the Year "Automatic" Miranda Lambert
Duo Video of the Year "Round Here" Florida Georgia Line
Video of the Year "See You Again" Carrie Underwood
