Break out your cowboy boots! The 2016 CMT Music Awards are live Wednesday, June 8, from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, and Us Weekly Video chatted with all the biggest names in country music at Day 2 of rehearsals. Watch the clip to see your favorite country crooners reveal who they’re excited to see, love-lives updates and more!
One thing that everyone’s buzzing about: unlikely guests Pharrell and Pitbull. While the “Happy” singer is not a country artist, he teamed up with Little Big Town to produce the quartet’s latest album, Wanderlust. They’re joining forces on stage to perform a new song. “It’s going to be something new, different and fun!” Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town tells Us.
As for Pitbull, he’s taking the stage at the CMTs for the first time for a performance with nominee Leona Lewis and Cassadee Pope. Even the other artists are excited to see what the trio has in store. “The fact that Pitbull’s there is going to be fun,” Thomas Rhett tells Us.
Those aren’t the only genre-crossing collaborations viewers will see. Rising pop star Elle King is pairing up with Dierks Bentley, but she admits she only recently learned who the country superstar is! “I actually didn’t know who he was,” she says. The “What Was I Thinkin’” singer introduced her to the country world, and she immediately loved it. “There’s way more drinking in the country scene. It’s amazing!” she quips.
Watch the clip to see sneak peeks of Rhett’s and Florida Georgia Line’s performances, hosts Erin Andrews and J.J. Watt finish each other’s sentences and much more!
The 2016 CMT Music Awards airs on Wednesday, June 8, at 8 p.m. ET.
