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The duo, featuring Kix Brooks andRonnie Dunn, kicked off the performance with an uplifting rendition of “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” which felt like a true celebration of Keith’s spirit.
Fittingly, they played “I Love This Bar” and rocked out throughout the set.
Before the final performance, Lukas Nelson, who used to play in Keith’s band, and singer Riley Green emerged on stage to say kind words about the singer-songwriter.
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Wilson, 31, then took to the stage and brought the tribute home with an uplifting performance of “How Do You Like Me Now?!”
Former MLB player Roger Clemens, a longtime friend of Keith’s, introduced the tribute performance with a moving speech.
The star baseball player called the “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” singer “a friend, patriot and great American,” and told a story about how he kept his “sense of humor and his wit” after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021.
“Thank you for sharing your dad with all of us. Thank you,” he said, bringing the late musician’s family to tears. “Trish, we love you. Thank you for sharing your husband with the world, Trish. Thank you.”
The Covel kids at the 2024 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 07, 2024 in Austin, Texas.Kevin Mazur/Getty
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Check out all of PEOPLE’s full CMT Awards coverage here.
Throughout his career, Keith received 30 total CMT Award nominations and went on to win seven belt buckles. He also performed at the award ceremony 13 times.
The “American Soldier” singer also co-hosted the award show twice: in 2012 alongsideKristen Belland in 2003 withPamela Anderson. In 2012, he was the most-awarded artist of the night and took home the coveted prize of video of the year for “Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”
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Keith’s family announced the news of his death onsocial mediain February.
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In March, he was posthumously inducted into theCountry Music Hall of Fame, the highest honor within the country music genre.
The 2024 CMT Music Awards aired live from Austin, Texas' Moody Center on Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.
source: people.com
