Some of country music’s biggest artists will mark the 20th anniversary of the CMT Music Awards in a star-studded special airing later this month.

CMT Music Awards: Ultimate Party Edition will feature “iconic superstar performances, once-in-a-lifetime collaborations, world premieres and major genre-blending surprises across two decades of the storied award show,” reads a Paramount+ press release announcing the 90-minute special on Wednesday (July 2).

Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, Cole Swindell, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town and Luke Bryan will chat with CMT’s Cody Alan and reminisce on some of their unforgettable CMT Music Awards moments over the years. They’ll also reveal “never-before-told stories from the biggest on- and off-stage moments in CMT history,” the release notes. Fans will be able to vote for the Ultimate Fan Favorite Performance on CMT’s Facebook and Instagram stories from July 11 through July 14. The winners will be revealed during the 90-minute special.

CMT Music Awards: Ultimate Party Edition arrives as the show takes a break in 2025. Paramount president Bruce Gillmer reportedly said in a statement to staff earlier this year “we are pausing a few events for 2025, as we look to reimagine and optimize our events slate going forward. These include the MTV EMAs, MTV MIAWs, Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in Mexico, and CMT Music Awards. …Our world-class events remain a key component of Paramount’s music offering as we continue to raise the bar in delivering iconic, unforgettable performances and moments that drive pop culture. We have the best team in the business, and we are grateful for your hard work and dedication in bringing these events to life.”

“From the wildly comedic digital short cold opens to spectacular indoor and outdoor sets spanning Austin to Nashville, it’s been amazing to go back deep into our archives and re-live some of the show’s most iconic moments – and do it alongside the superstar artists that made them happen,” Margaret Comeaux, Executive Producer & SVP, Production for CMT, said in a statement on Wednesday. “It was also essential for us to nod to the show’s history as country’s first fan-voted award show by putting the power back in the hands of our fans to help us choose the ultimate fan-favorite moment. We can’t wait for audiences to relive the biggest and best moments from the past two decades of CMT Music Awards - and hear some never-been-told stories along the way.”

CMT Music Awards: Ultimate Party Edition will premiere at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on Thursday, July 17.

Mike Klein