Big hats and a billion rhinestones

There are country music awards shows; there are music video awards ceremonies; and then there are country music video awards shows. Sunday night’s CMT Awards hosted by Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini, celebrating the best in Yeehaw audiovisual performances. Hats were as tall as that sweet lonely sound, and the nominees were veiled in rhinestones in true western fashion.

These additional awards shows always have the funniest mix of fashions: Some people are as gorgeously dressed as the Ole Opry, while others look like they’ve been rummaging through their Texas uncle’s closet for a bolo tie. I love looking at those red carpet arrival photos because I’m occasionally introduced to upcoming artists like The BoykinZ. But in general, I have a feeling that the current state of pop-country music’s artist monikers seem to all be AI-generated variations on the name “Kelsey.”

Enjoy the looks we’ve braided into this slideshow right here!