Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan & More Honored as CMT's ARTISTS OF THE YEAR Tonight

CMT named Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, and Sam Hunt as the top country artists of the year to be honored during the "CMT Artists of the Year" special, the definitive year end party, premiering LIVE from Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center, tonight, December 2 at 8:00pm ET/PT.

The sixth-annual 90-minute special will feature once-in-a-lifetime performances, unexpected tributes and unforgettable toasts as the biggest stars of music, film and television celebrate returning "CMT Artists of the Year," Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan, with first-time honorees, Blake Shelton, Little Big Town and Sam Hunt.

From house parties to girl crushes to sippin' on sangria....and then fire, these five artists collectively kicked the dust up to dominate the last 12 months ruling CMT's platforms and country radio, scoring chart-topping album and singles, and selling out arenas around the country. Additional performers, presenters, and special guests will be announced at a later date.

They join an overgrowing prestigious list of past "CMT Artists of the Year" honorees that includes Jason Aldean (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Kenny Chesney (2011, 2012), Eric Church (2012), Hunter Hayes (2013), Toby Keith (2012), Lady Antebellum (2010, 2011), Miranda Lambert (2012, 2014), Tim McGraw (2013), Brad Paisley (2011), Taylor Swift (2010, 2011), Carrie Underwood (2010, 2012), Keith Urban (2014) and Zac Brown Band (2010).

For more information visit CMT.com or CMTPress.com, and go join the conversation on the official CMT Facebook page or follow @CMT on Twitter using the official hashtag, #CMTAOTY.

CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR is executive produced by Switched On Entertainment's John Hamlin. Jayson Dinsmore and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT.