Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
The annual CMT Artists of the Year Celebration took place on Wednesday, October 17th and it was FULL of girl power!
This year marked the first year that the lineup has been ALL FEMALE, honoring Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Hillary Scott of Lady Anetbellum, and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman. Loretta Lynn received the Artist of a Lifetime award, but sadly couldn’t make it to the awards due to illness. Actress Sissy Spacek accepted the award on her behalf.
The show was full of inspiring speeches and killer performances [WATCH BELOW].
Hillary Scott joined Tori Kelley and Kirk Franklin for “American Honey,” “Never Alone” and “Oh Happy Day.”
The Pistol Annies performed “Sugar Daddy” from their album “Interstate Gospel.”
Video of "Sugar Daddy" | Pistol Annies | 2018 CMT Artists of the Year Performance
Aretha Franklin was honored with “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” sung by Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile.
Video of Maren Morris & Brandi Carlile | "Natural Woman" | 2018 CMT Artists of the Year Performance
Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley and Sheryl Crow performed a Loretta Lynn medley, including “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” and “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man.”
Karen Fairchild, Kimbery Schlapman and Gladys Knight sang a medley of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “Help Me Make It Through The Night.”
“Ghost In This House” was performed by Kelsea Ballerini and Alison Krauss.
Video of Kelsea Ballerini & Alison Krauss | "Ghost In This House" | 2018 CMT Artists of the Year Performance
Carrie Underwood took the stage with her tour mates Runaway June and Maddie & Tae for a medley of country songs honoring the women of country music, including Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, The Judds, Martina McBrine, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire and Shania Twain.
All the honorees shared their appreciation, love and praise of women in country music during their acceptance speeches [WATCH BELOW].
You can watch the full 2018 CMT Artists of the Year show here.
