CMT Music Awards confuse fans over lack of actual country music

Pitbull, Pharrell, Leona Lewis and Cheap Trick played at the show

(Getty Images)

There are only a few things you really expect at an awards show supposedly dedicated to country music; one of them is actual country music.

However, the CMT Music Awards left some viewers baffled after non-country musician after non-country musician performed live, the likes of Pitbull, Leona Lewis and rockers Cheap Trick taking to the stage.

According to Fox, Keith Urban, Brett Eldredge and Maren Morris kicked off the show at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville. Soon after, Billy Ray Cyrus and Cheap Trick played outside. Back inside, Pitbull, Leona Lewis and Cassadee Pope were belting out a pop song.

“Can someone please explain to me why #Pitbull just performed at the #CMTawards?” asked one Tweeter. “Wasting time when real country artists could be performing.”

However, the night wasn’t without a few highlights, including Blake Shelton and the Oak Ridge Boys singing “Elvira” and Chris Stapleton performing “Parachutes”.

Other performers included Pharrell with Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan.