CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR: Crystal Gayle and Peggy Sue Wright Will Honor Sister Loretta Lynn

The 2022 CMT Artists of the Year celebration will premiere 9p/8c Friday on CMT. And while the debut is just a day away, the network is still rolling out surprises.

In addition to honoring Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes as the five artists who made the most impact in country music over the last 12 months, the will recognize “Breakout Artist of the Year” Lainey Wilson and “Artist of a Lifetime” Alan Jackson. Thursday they unveiled a previously unannounced tribute to Loretta Lynn, who died earlier this month at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

Her sisters Crystal Gayle and Peggy Sue Wright will perform on her behalf. Tanya Tucker and Martina McBride will share their memories of Lynn and what makes her crucial to country music’s foundation.

Other performers during the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year celebration include Jackson, Pearce, Johnson, Brown, Wilson, Hayes with Ciara and Riley Green, who performed for Combs.

Other presenters and special guests include Chris Stapleton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dan + Shay, Dustin Lynch, Kelsea Ballerini, Kelsey Asbille, Gary LeVox and Shane McAnally.

There will be an immediate encore showing of 2022 CMT Artists of the Year at 11p/10c and on Sunday, October 16, at 8p/7c.