Music 10 Reasons We’re Excited for CMT Artists of the Year Expressed In Gifs, Of Course by Claire Heinichen 12/2/2015 It’s the most wonderful time of the year, y’all. And no, we don’t mean the holiday season. It’s finally the day of CMT Artists of the Year! Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> To pass the time until 8 p.m. ET/PT., we’re counting the reasons (in no particular order) why we’re excited for tonight’s show. Chris’ Pipes Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> Chris Stapleton is receiving the first-ever CMT Artits of the Year Breakout Award, but we’re even more excited to hear his flawless vocals during his performance. The Beautiful Leona Lewis Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> We’ve got a “Girl Crush”, and it’s on Leona Lewis. We are so excited to see her perform the Little Big Town hit. Adam Lambert’s Voice Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> What’s the only thing better than Leona Lewis singing “Girl Crush”? Leona Lewis singing with Adam Lambert, of course. We are 100% confident this will be the duet everyone is still obsessing over by next year’s event. The Ultimate #SquadGoals Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> Who hasn’t wished they were part of the amazing Little Big Town? Answer: No one. We’re so ready to see all of their success be celebrated tonight, they really deserve it. Luke Bryan’s Everything Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> His voice. His smile. His beautiful family. His dance moves. We can’t wait for all of it, and we bet you can’t either. FGL’s Swag Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> We’re not sure what these two have up their sleeves for us tonight, but we know it will be awesome. Florida Georgia Line never disappoint. Blake Blake Blake Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> Blake Shelton has had plenty of ups and downs this year, and we’re so excited to be a part of one of the major ups by honoring him tonight. Sam Hunt’s Outfit Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> It doesn’t matter where or when, Sam Hunt always slays the outfit game. The Voice Reunion Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> Cassadee Pope and RaeLynn, both former stars of Team Blake from NBC’s The Voice, are singing with the incredible Darius Rucker to toast Blake Shelton. That will be nothing short of epic. The Artist of a Lifetime Embedded from giphy.com. </noscript> </div> The legendary Kenny Rogers is receiving the Artist of a Lifetime Award, and we can’t think of anyone more deserving. Embedded from www.youtube.com. </noscript> </div> Need even more reasons to get pumped for tonight? Keep an eye out for the cast of ABC’s Nashville and toasts from Dolly Parton, Dan Rather, Trace Adkins, Kellie Pickler, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott. And you never know who will make a surprise appearance. We can neither confirm nor deny that there will be some awesome surprise guests tonight, but since we’re all friends here, we’re going to go ahead and promise that you won’t be disappointed. Tune in tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CMT, and join the conversation on the official CMT Artists of the Year Facebook page and on Twitter using the official hashtag, #CMTAOTY. Claire Heinichen Writer and social-ite for CMT, lover of all things Nashville, and firm believer that Ross and Rachel were not on a break. Paramount+ FAQ/Help CMT One Country Jobs Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Cookies Policy Copyright Closed Captioning Partners Keep ViacomCBS TV Ratings facebook Twitter Instagram © 2022 Country Music Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CMT and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Country Music Television, Inc. ShowsTV ScheduleFull EpisodesCMT Artists of the YearCMT Campfire SessionsCMT CrossroadsCMT DocumentariesCMT Hot 20 CountdownCMT Music AwardsDallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The TeamThe Last CowboySkyville LiveA Tennessee Kind of ChristmasLive TVMusicCMT Artists of the YearCMT CrossroadsCMT Hot 20 CountdownCMT Music AwardsCMT Music 12 Pack CountdownCMT Next Women of CountryMusic News & PlaylistsMusic VideosLet Freedom Sing!NewsParamount+