CMT Awards Show To Honor ABC’s ‘Nashville’

NEW YORK (AP) — CMT is honoring a television show from another network on its “Artists of the Year” special that’s being telecast live on Wednesday.

The music-oriented ABC drama “Nashville” is being given CMT’s first-ever “International Impact Award.” CMT said Monday that Kellie Pickler, who has her own show on CMT, will present the award to most of the “Nashville” cast. The CMT special is taking place in the city that gives the series its name.

CMT President Brian Philips said “Nashville” has become an international ambassador for country music.

Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt and Little Big Town are being named CMT’s artists of the year. Kenny Rogers gets a lifetime achievement award and Chris Stapleton will get a special “breakout” award.