WATCH: Charly Reynolds Chats With Chase Matthew, Jelly Roll, Russell Dickerson & More On The CMT Awards Red Carpet

Singer/songwriter Charly Reynolds made her way to Austin, Texas where she attended the 2023 CMT Music Awards as a guest host for Country Now.

Ahead of the star-studded event, Reynolds stepped onto the red (teal) carpet to chat with CMT Awards attendees about the big night ahead.

As the special guests, nominees, and performers made their way down the carpet, Reynolds chatted with artists like Chase Matthew, Nate Smith, Lily Rose, and Russell Dickerson.  

The event took place in Austin, Texas for the first time ever, which was quite exciting for many artists, including Jenna Paulette, who hails from the Lone Star State. 

“I wore my burnt orange,” she said, referencing the colors of the University of Texas. [I’m] just all about it. I love it…I just feel like I’m right at home.” 

First-time nominee Tiera Kennedy, was thrilled to be included in the “really special night,” while first-time performer Chapel Hart was looking forward to seeing other artists perform.   

“We are even more excited to watch other people perform,” they shared. “When y’all look down there and y’all see security and security’s like, sit down. That’s, us! We gonna be up!” 

Jelly Roll was full of energy when he arrived to chat with Charly Reynolds. Fresh off his first win of the night, he said, “they completely surprised me.”

“I thought I was just going to do an interview with Cody Alan about the CMTs and they handed me an award,” he added in shock. 

Reynolds talked about everything from fashion to performances, to new boots and then challenged the artists to a fun game.

“I’m gonna give you a word. And then you just gotta sing a song with that word in it,” she explained. 

Ashley Cooke was up for the challenge. Her word was neon and she immediately started singing the Brooks & Dunn classic, “Neon Moon.”

Lily Rose held nothing back when she heard the word bartender. She quickly belted out Lady A’s hit, “Bartender.” 

Other artists took on words like truck, blue, and whiskey. 

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Co-hosted by Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini, the 2023 CMT Music Awards featured performances from Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, and Tyler Hubbard. 

Additionally, the show included one-of-a-kind collaborations, including a 10th anniversary of CMT Next Women of Country celebration featuring Alanis Morissette with Lainey Wilson, Ingrid Andress, Madeline Edwards, and Morgan Wade. Gwen Stefani and Carly Pearce joined forces for a special collaboration, while Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown teamed up for the television premiere of their chart-topping duet, “Thank God.” 

The Black Crowes and Darius Rucker delivered a first-time collaboration of “She Talks To Angels,” and Wynonna Judd and Ashley McBryde will also take the stage together. 

The show also included a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan from Gary Clark, Jr. and a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute from Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Cody Johnson, Paul Rodgers, Slash & Warren Haynes and LeAnn Rimes & Wynonna Judd as honorary “Honkettes.”

Rising stars Avery Anna, Chapel Hart, Jackson Dean, Lily Rose, Nate Smith, and Megan Moroney made their CMT Music Awards performance debut on the Ram Trucks Side Stage.  

Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Charles Esten, Dixie D’Amelio, Dustin Lynch, HARDY, Ian Bohen + Jen Landon (Yellowstone), Jon Pardi, LeAnn Rimes, Madison Bailey (Outer Banks), Max Thieriot (Fire Country), Megan Thee Stallion, Noah Schnapp (Stranger Things), Parker McCollum, Peter Frampton, Shania Twain, Steve Howey (True Lies) and Travis Kelce appeared as presenters. 

The coveted awards show aired live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday, April 2 at 8/7c on CBS. It was also available to stream live and on-demand via Paramount+.