CMT Music Awards preview: Here's who to look out for, what to do ahead of Austin show

Austin is again home to the 2024 CMT Music Awards, meaning some of country music's biggest stars will be flocking to the city ahead of the April 7 awards show.

The show, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, will air live from the Moody Center on CBS at 7 p.m. It will feature performances from a variety of decorated entertainers, including up-and-comer Jelly Roll and country music mainstay Keith Urban. It marks the second year in a row the CMT Awards ceremony will be held in Austin.

More:Kelsea Ballerini returns to Austin to host the CMT Awards 2024 in April

Here's a list of performers expected to appear during the show, plus some special events surrounding the awards.

Who's performing at the 2024 CMT Music Awards?

So far, host Kelsea Ballerini will perform at the awards, and Bailey Zimmerman is scheduled to perform his single "Where It Ends" for the first time. Zimmerman is nominated for the “Male Video of the Year" category.

Jelly Roll wowed viewers of the 2023 CMT Music Awards show by being the winningest artist of the night with three victories. He's back in 2024 to perform for the show's live audience.

CMT Music Awards nominees:Kelsea Ballerini, Jelly Roll and Kacey Musgraves among those up for big awards

Grammy Award-winners Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson will each perform during the awards show. Urban will set a record with his 20th CMT stage performance, and Wilson will perform her new song, "Country’s Cool Again.”

Sam Hunt, nine-time CMT nominee and former “Breakthrough Video of the Year” winner, will also debut a new song. As the April 7 show approaches, more performers and presenters will be announced, according to CMT.

CMT offers music specials days before awards show

Country music juggernaut Little Big Town will headline the "CMT Storytellers" music series April 5 at 7 p.m. During the event, the band's members, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook, are expected to recount their musical journeys through their careers.

On April 6, Cody Alan, Carissa Culiner, and Marley Sherwood are hosting a special episode of "CMT Hot 20 Countdown" to preview the award show's 2024 nominees. The show, which starts at 8 a.m., will be broadcast from the Moody Center and will feature interviews with Jelly Roll, Jason Aldean and more.

More:Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Lady A lead lineup for iHeartCountry Music Festival in Austin

Later that day, Nickelback and HARDY will team up to deliver a "CMT Crossroads" installment, sharing stories of collaboration from their biggest songs. The event begins at 7 p.m.

April 7, the day of the awards show, hosts Alan, Culiner and Sherwood will broadcast live from the CMT red carpet starting at 6 p.m. on CBS. Tickets to attend the award show are on sale and start at $229. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit moodycenteratx.com.

'CMT Crossroads' to be taped at UT Tower

A live taping of "CMT Crossroads" is scheduled for April 5, and you can be part of the show. The event is being taped at UT Tower. Last year, the episode was recorded in the middle of Congress Avenue downtown.

NEEDTOBREATHE and Jordan Davis will perform at the university in front of a live audience. To have a chance to be in that audience, register at gothamcasting.com.