Entertainment Awards Shows and Events Kenny Chesney to Perform at CMT Music Awards for the First Time in 7 Years The 2022 CMT Awards will air live from Nashville on CBS on April 11 at 8 p.m. ET By Rachel DeSantis Rachel DeSantis Rachel DeSantis is a senior writer on the music team at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2019, and her work has previously appeared in Entertainment Weekly and the New York Daily News. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 8, 2022 04:45PM EDT The CMT Music Awards ain't over 'til Kenny Chesney sings! The country star, 54, has been tapped to close out this year's show with his hit "Beers in Mexico" after he reached out to organizers, inspired by rehearsals for his upcoming tour. "When I realized the CMT Music Awards were happening next week, I asked if they could find space for us to debut this band, to play one of those songs that defined what we do live all those years ago — and they said, 'C'mon,'" Chesney said in a statement. The "American Kids" singer has been getting ready for when his Here And Now 2022 tour kicks off later this month, and said he's looking forward to the opportunity to introduce two new band members: drummer Nick Buda and guitarist Danny Rader. "You just know when something's white hot. I can't wait for people to see where this band is," he said. "It's always great to be able to close down the night! For us, to be part of what will change people's lives, to show what's possible and to celebrate how rocking the music is? That's why we do what we do." Kenny Chesney. Cindy Ord/Getty The performance marks Chesney's first at the CMT Awards in seven years. Chesney — who hasn't toured since 2019 — won his first CMT Music Award in 2002, and his collaboration with Kelsea Ballerini, "half of my hometown," is up for video of the year and collaborative video of the year. Ballerini is set to co-host the fan-voted show with Anthony Mackie, and she'll also perform her new single "Heartfirst." Joining her and Chesney on stage for performances are Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas, Old Dominion, Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell, Lainey Wilson, Keith Urban and The Judds, who will reunite for their first televised performance in 20 years. Kacey Musgraves, Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett and Taylor Lautner to Present at the 2022 CMT Awards Priscilla Block, BRELAND, Jessie James Decker, Parker McCollum, Elvie Shane and Caitlyn Smith will also perform from the Ram Trucks Side Stage. On hand to present this year are Kacey Musgraves, Jimmie Allen, Taylor Lautner, Gabby Barrett and Dennis Quaid, plus Gayle King, Rob Corddry, Jordan Davis, Billy Gibbons, Joel McHale, Martina McBride, Dylan Scott, LeAnn Rimes, and Queer Eye's Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France and Antoni Porowski. The 2022 CMT Awards will air live from Nashville on CBS on April 11 at 8 p.m. ET.