How CMT Music Awards Attendees are Honoring Nashville Covenant School Shooting Victims (Exclusive)

Music City is coming together for a benefit concert to honour the victims of the horrific school shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School, where six people — three children and three school employees — were killed last week.

Chase Stokes couldn't help but fanboy during girlfriend Kelsea Ballerini's CMT Music Awards performance. The 30-year-old  star was spotted dancing and singing along to Ballerini's «If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)» during Sunday's awards ceremony. In a video shared on Instagram by CMT, Stokes was all smiles while lip syncing and shaking his hips to the beat.

A true Texas telecast. The 2023 CMT Awards were held in Austin, Texas for the first time, and the ceremony got a warm welcome from Matthew McConaughey, who made a surprise appearance on the Sunday, April 2 CBS show.

The 2023 CMT Music Awards airs live on CBS and is streaming on Paramount+. For more coverage of the big event, including all of the night's winners, keep checking back with ETonline.

Alanis Morissette is using Sunday's 2023 CMT Music Awards as a networking event for female country stars, she told ET from the red carpet. «I love the sisterhood,» Morissette told ET's Cassie DiLaura before heading into the show. During the ceremony, she'll make her CMT debut with a performance of  «You Oughta Know» alongside Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson, Madeline Edwards and Morgan Wade.

Kelsea Ballerini made her feelings about the Tennessee drag ban known during her performance at the 2023 CMT Music Awards Sunday.Ballerini, who also served as the night's co-host, transported the audience backyard barbecue in the '60s, where she was surrounded by a bevy of drag queens while belting out her hit, «If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too).»The group served as Ballerini's backup dancers, while the singer sang and strummed along on a pink guitar. After throwing her long, green coat to the side, Ballerini showed off a yellow two-piece, which she strutted her stuff in while the drag queens followed behind — all dressed in their best '60s-inspired wears.The performance ended with a flutter of confetti that was illuminated with rainbow stage lights, which made Ballerini's stance loud and clear.ET spoke to the drag queens — Kennedy Davenport, Manila Luzon, Jan Sport and Oliva Lux — that performed alongside the «Penthouse» singer, who shared the importance of taking the stage with Ballerini.«Just like all these amazing country music artists, we drag queens are also artists.

Kelsea Ballerini kicked off the 2023 CMT Music Awards with a dedication to the victims of the Nashville school shooting. The country music star, 29, said, "On March 27, 2023, three nine-year-olds Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs along with Dr.

Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini celebrated the women of country music at the 2023 CMT Music Awards!In their opening monologue, the co-hosts took the time to highlight the biggest female stars in the room. «Shania Twain is in the building,» Brown said. «My queen!» Ballerini said. «Honestly it really is my dream lineup.

Country music’s biggest stars are honouring those affected by the mass school shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville at the 2023 CMT Music Awards.

Paying tribute. Kelsea Ballerini honored victims of the Nashville, Tennessee, Covenant School shooting at the start of the 2023 CMT Awards on Sunday, April 2.

Carrie Underwood looked stunning at the 2023 CMT Music Awards!The country star — who reigns as the most-awarded artist in CMT history — walked the red carpet in a sparkly two-piece fit that showed off her toned legs.The entire look was bedazzled, from the cropped coat, which featured an epic train, to Underwood's dazzling shorts. The  singer opted to let the outfit do the talking, wearing her long, blonde locks in a low ponytail.

A major milestone! Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes were all smiles during their red carpet debut at the 2023 CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 2.

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton made their CMT Awards red carpet debut as a couple! Although the pair aren't strangers to walking side by side on a carpet, Sunday marks a milestone for the duo, as it is their first time attending this particular show together. Stefani, 53, dazzled in a sparkling skirt paired with a white button-down shirt and tie with black fringed boots. Shelton, 46, cleaned up nicely, dressed in his signature denim and switching out the plaid for a suit jacket and tie.It's a sweet date night for the duo as Shelton has been away from home for his Back to the Honky Tonk Tour along with supporting acts Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean. «It's terrible,» the singer previously told ET of being away from home.

Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes are taking their relationship to the next level – with a red carpet debut!

Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes made their adorable red carpet debut! On Sunday, the «Window With a View» singer and the star arrived together at the 2023 CMT Awards — marking their first major public appearance as a couple. Ballerini, who is co-hosting the ceremony alongside Kane Brown — wore a body-hugging corseted dress with pointed heels. It's possible that this isn't the only outfit the 29-year-old musician will wear this evening. Ballerini and Stokes have been linked since January, and she later confirmed their romance on the  podcast.

Gwen Stefani on the red carpet ahead of the show. «My second concert ever was No Doubt,» Jelly Roll told ET's Cassie DiLaura. «We was at an amphitheater, it s**t storm rained, I mean just rain storm, we were mud sliding dancing to 'Spiderwebs,' it was awesome.» Stefani is set to perform at Sunday's CMT Awards, and Jelly Roll added he'd seen a sneak preview of her performance.

CMT Music Awards!This year, Lainey Wilson leads the charge with four noms, including Performance of the Year and Female Video of the Year, with three nominees tied for second place -- Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, and CMT Music Awards co-host Kane Brown.Across all categories, CMT is recognizing 21 first-time nominees, with Carrie Underwood, the most awarded artist in CMT history, also earning another nod this year. Hosted by Brown and Kelsea Ballerini -- also a nominee this year — the CMT Music Awards air at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sunday from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Who will take home some hardware? The 2023 CMT Music Awards are honoring some of country music’s top crooners on Sunday, April 2.

The 2023 CMT Music Awards, honoring excellence in country music, is here.  Nominees for the only country music award show that is completely voted on by fans were announced in March. Here's how to watch, who's nominated and what else to know ahead of this year's CMT Music Awards on Sunday. Where to watch The 2023 CMT Music Awards is set to air on CBS live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, at 8:00 p.m.

Nothing brings people together like music. The 2023 CMT Music Awards will be a star-studded event — not only for the show’s nominees and performers, but also for its presenters.