Kane Brown Is Not Returning To Host CMT Music Awards

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CMT

This year’s CMT Music Awards will look a little different.

When are the CMT Music Awards?

The 2024 CMT Music Awards will be held on Sunday, April 7 at 8pm ET. For the second year in a row, the Moody Center in Austin, Texas will be the home for the awards show.

After more than 20 years being held in Nashville, Tennessee, the CMT Music Awards moved to Austin, Texas in 2023.

Who will be hosting the CMT Music Awards?

In an announcement on social media on February 27, CMT revealed that Kelsea Ballerini will be back as host of the show for the fourth time.

CMT's announcement of Kelsea Ballerini hosting the awards show
CMT / Instagram

Kelsea told People that she is “nervous” to host the show by herself for the first time, but might ask some friends to help her out throughout the three-hour show.

The singer also revealed a pre-show ritual that she will be continuing – a shot of tequila.

She tells People, “There’s something about this show, in particular, that feels like a summer party.Everyone backstage is ‘cheers’-ing each other and running into each other’s dressing rooms. That’s the energy that I want to bring on screen and into the room.”

She first hosted alongside Kane Brown in 2021, then was forced to host virtually from her home in 2022 due to testing positive for COVID. Luckily, that year she co-hosted alongside actor Anthony Mackie, who was at the actual show. To help him out, CMT brought in Kane Brown at the last second.

Kane and Kelsea joined forces once again in 2023.

Kelsea is hosting the show solo this year, meaning that after four years of co-hosting the show, Kane Brown is not returning. 

He first hosted the show in 2020 alongside actress Sarah Hyland and country singer Ashley McBryde. He was joined by Kelsea the next three years.

RELATED: Kane Brown To Join Kelsea Ballerini As Co-Host Of 2023 CMT Music Awards

Kane has yet to comment on the situation and whether he was not asked back or he turned down the opportunity. He will likely receive at least one nomination for his work in the past year. Nominees are expected to be out in early March.