Melissa Etheridge and Kelsea Ballerini Perform “Come to My ...

Last night, April 7th, was the biggest night of the year in country music! The annual CMT Music Awards took place at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. This annual ceremony honors and celebrates the biggest stars in country music and featured some very exciting live performances.

Hosted by musician and outspoken ally for the LGBTQ community, Kelsea Ballerini, this year’s CMT Music Awards was among the most inclusive to date.

As more and more LGBTQ artists are contributing to the genre they have long been excluded from, Kelsea Ballerini is among those helping to fight that fight from the inside. While hosting, Ballerini gave a shout out to Luke Combs, who made waves last year covering the trailblazing Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car.

“I want in on some of that action,” Ballerini shared. “What huge throwback hit could be my thing? And then it came to me…” The audience went wild as Ballerini sang, acapella, the opening lyrics to Melissa Etheridge’s 90’s classic, Come to My Window.

Fans were stunned when the icon joined her for the rest of the song!

In response to the rising number of anti-drag bills being introduced in states across the US, at last year’s CMT Music Awards, Ballerini was joined by a group of drag queens on stage to perform “If You Go Down” with her! Watch the performance below:

Melissa Etheridge wasn’t the only LGBTQ artist celebrating country music last night, see more below!

Lily Rose

Chris Housman

Cody Alan

Sam Williams

Cody Belew

Angie K

See a full list of the night’s winners here: www.cmt.com