Cody Johnson, Carly Pearce, Kane Brown and More Turn in Must-See Performances on CMT AOTY Special

Alan Jackson.Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty

Electricity fromKane Brown, drama fromCarly Pearce,an irresistible classic fromAlan Jackson, a show-stopping collab fromWalker Hayes— and that’s just for starters.

TheCMT Artists of the Year2022broadcast is a must-see feast of country performances on Friday night. Set your DVRs or tune in at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, if only to catch these highlights:

Carly Pearce.Jason Kempin/Getty

Kane Brown.Jason Kempin/Getty

Walker Hayes and Ciara.Jason Kempin/Getty

SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE:Lainey Wilson,CMT’s breakout artist of the year, offers a confident and soulful rendition of current single “Heart Like a Truck.” Heading into the CMA awards with themost nominations (six)this year, Wilson is proving that she’s the total package: singer, songwriter and performer. She also knows how to pull off a good stage twirl.

Lainey Wilson.Jason Kempin/Getty

SINGING COWBOY:Cody Johnson’sunderstated interpretation of current single “Human” shows the Texan can own the stage with only his emotive voice and self-assured presence. Before the show, the first-time CMT artist of the year said he was hoping the autobiographical song would help viewers get to know him — and it’s a stirring introduction for what few people are left who’ve never heard of this country force.

Cody Johnson.Catherine Powell/Getty

MOURNING GLORY:Tanya Tuckeroffers a touching spoken tribute to her hero, friend and mentor, Loretta Lynn, who died on Oct. 4. And then Lynn’s sisters,Crystal Gayleand Peggy Sue Wright, emerge to celebrate the Hall of Fame member’s life with an uplifting duet of her signature song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker and Peggy Sue Wright.Brett Carlsen/Getty

A LOT ABOUT LIVIN':After Alan Jackson accepts his artist of a lifetime award, the country icon pulls the audience to their feet with just the first drum riff of signature song “Chattahoochee.” Jackson recently revealed he suffers froma degenerative nerve diseasethat affects his mobility and balance, and the fact that he was forced to postpone two shows this month for “health issues” makes this appearance especially powerful and poignant. He now performs with a modest brace positioned behind him, but that support takes nothing away from his stage presence. Jackson still packs a mighty punch with one of his countless country classics.

Alan Jackson.Jason Kempin/Getty

source: people.com