The Nashville awards ceremony was due to be hosted by actor Anthony Mackie and singer Kelsea Ballerini, but the latter was forced to stay at home due to a COVID diagnosis. As such, Mackie was joined by what he called a “backup KB,” singer Kane Brown.

Ballerini, meanwhile, presented a number of segments from home, where her positive diagnosis had not stopped her from getting into full glam. As well as performing single “Heartfirst” from her garden, the singer made a number of costume changes, making her way through a series of gowns before ending the night in her pajamas.

Underwood and Aldean took the top prize for their duet “If I Didn’t Love You,” which also picked up the prize for group/duo video of the year. Accepting the latter, the one-time American Idol winner told the audience: “This one’s all about the fans, man.”

Though they were not nominated for anything during the ceremony (which is streaming now on Paramount+), The Judds raised the roofs with they first major televised performance together in 20 years. Naomi, 76, and Wynonna, 57, performed their 1990 hit “Love Can Build a Bridge” together.

Among the other winners of the night was Miranda Lambert, picking up her eighth trophy for female video of the year. Cody Johnson won male video of the year, while Maddie & Tae accepted the award for group or duo video from home, just days after Tae Kerr had given birth.

The CMT Music Awards also found a way to award Taylor Swift a gong, with the singer winning in the new category of trending comeback song of the year due to her 2008 hit “Love Story” being popular on TikTok.

Who Were the Winners at the CMT Music Awards 2022?

The full list of CMT Music Awards 2022 winners are as follows:

Video of the Year Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood - “If I Didn’t Love You”

Female Video of the Year Miranda Lambert - “If I Was A Cowboy”

Male Video of the Year Cody Johnson - “‘Til You Can’t”

Group/Duo Video of the Year Maddie & Tae - “Woman You Got”

Breakthrough Video of the Year Parker McCollum - “To Be Loved By You”

Collaborative Video of the Year Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood - “If I Didn’t Love You”

CMT Performance of the Year George Strait - “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” (from CMT GIANTS: Charley Pride)

CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year Cody Johnson - “Dear Rodeo” (from CMT Campfire Sessions)

Trending Comeback Song of the Year Taylor Swift - “Love Story”