Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett have been named as the “2016 CMT Artists of the Year.” The group will be celebrated at the seventh-annual CMT Artists of the Year special, premiering from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on October 20 at 9 PM ET on CMT. Each artist will be honored with special performances and tributes during the 90-minute special on CMT. In addition, Kelsea Ballerini is set to receive the second-annual “Breakout Artist of the Year” honor during the ceremony.

·       Additional awards, performers and special guests will be announced soon.

·       Stapleton and Rhett are first-time recipients of the CMT Artists of the Year honor, while Underwood, Florida Georgia Line and Bryan have each earned the accolade multiple times.

·       Luke now ties with Jason Aldean as the artists who have most wins with five consecutive years.