Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Cody Johnson, Paul Rodgers, Slash and Warren Haynes — plus LeAnn Rimes and Wynonna Judd taking on the role of “The Honkettes” — will perform a highly-anticipated tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd at the 2023 CMT Music Awards on Sunday evening (April 2).

The Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the legendary band’s debut album. It also comes after Gary Rossington, guitarist and one of the last remaining original member of the band, died earlier this month. He was 71. Lynyrd Skynyrd announced Rossington’s death in a Facebook post at that time: “It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we have to advise, that we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Rossington, today. Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he always does. Please keep Dale, Mary, Annie and the entire Rossington family in your prayers and respect the family's privacy at this difficult time.”

CMT’s latest announcement adds to a star-studded list of artists set to perform at the show, including Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson and many others. See the full list of 2023 CMT Music Awards nominees here.

The 2023 CMT Music Awards will air live from Moody Center in Austin, Texas, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET, per CMT. The show is set for April 2 on CBS.

The Wayne D Show

The Wayne D Show Podcast