Trisha Yearwood Graciously Accepts June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award At 2024 CMT Music Awards

“I only hope with this to be as big a part of my community and as good of a friend to fellow artists as she was,” Yearwood said, referencing the late June Carter Cash.

By

Andrew Wendowski

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

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Posted on April 9, 2024

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Trisha Yearwood; Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for CMT

Trisha Yearwood was honored with the inaugural June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award at the 2024 CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 7.

Jane Seymour Presents Trisha Yearwood With The June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award

The country music icon was on hand to accept the prestigious honor, which was presented to her by Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Actress Jane Seymour.

“It is my great honor to be here handing out a brand-new award that recognizes artists for their humanitarian work,” Seymour said. “This one is named after my dear friend June Carter Cash. Giving back wasn’t just a part of her life. It was an integral part of who she was. Her voice helped shape country music, but she also used it throughout her career to advocate for the underprivileged and help emerging artists find their path. Tonight, the inaugural June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award is being given to someone who lives and breathes that same philosophy, the one and only Trisha Yearwood.”

Seymour then detailed some of the charitable efforts Yearwood has done. “When Trisha guest starred with me on Dr. Quinn I witnessed firsthand her special ability to inspire those around her,” Seymour added. “She rallies people for causes she believes in, whether that’s through Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Work project, or her efforts to support animal rescues all over the country through her organization, Dottie’s Yard. She’s also a staunch supporter of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, preserving the legacy of country music while also lifting up new artists that continue to push the genre forward. So please welcome the recipient of the first ever June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award: Trisha Yearwood.”

Trisha Yearwood, Jane Seymour; Photo by Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT
Trisha Yearwood, Jane Seymour; Photo by Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT

Trisha Yearwood Accepts The Prestigious Honor

Yearwood then made her way to the stage to collect the trophy for the high honor and deliver an acceptance speech.

“I have never gotten an award like this,” Yearwood began. “I don’t think anybody who’s ever received a humanitarian award thinks they deserve it, and that is absolutely tracking right now. I’d like to thank CMT for this honor and for naming it for our friend June Carter Cash, one of the most fierce, one of the coolest, most passionate women that I was very lucky to also know, and I knew her just a little bit, but it didn’t take long to see that she embodied the very essence of what this award’s about.”

She continued to graciously thank June Carter Cash’s family, some of whom were present in the star-studded audience. “I’d also like to thank John, Carlene, [and] the whole Carter family, for allowing my name to be said in the same sentence as June’s. June Carter Cash was a force, and she was also married to a force. I know a little bit about a life like that,” Yearwood continued, referencing her marriage to country music legend Garth Brooks. “I know it wasn’t always easy, but she found ways to make sure to keep shining her own light, and she had no bigger fan than her husband Johnny Cash [and] I also know a little bit about that.”

Praises June Carter Cash’s Legacy

The 59-year-old “She’s In Love With The Boy” singer went on to praise the legacy that June Carter Cash left behind and encourage everyone to be more selfless.

“I only hope with this to be as big a part of my community and as good of a friend to fellow artists as she was,” Yearwood added. “It can be really hard to stand up for what is right and for what you believe in. June just did it. She walked the walk, she didn’t just say what she believed, she lived it, and she was strong in a very human way. So I just want to say that my hope is that we can all learn a little bit from June Carter Cash’s legacy and be a little bit more real, be a little bit more vulnerable, be a little bit less about me, and a little bit more about us.”

Yearwood closed out her acceptance by asking the audience to partake in a challenge to love more moving forward. “This is not one of those, ‘oh, look what I can do. Look what I accomplished [moments].’ I really look at this as a challenge and a calling just to be better. Garth, and I believe to whom much is given, much is expected. And if you know me, my mantra is love one another. And so my challenge to all of us is to not just say it, but let’s actually go out there and do it. Thank you,” she concluded.

June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award Recipient Trisha Yearwood; Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for CMT
June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award Recipient Trisha Yearwood; Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for CMT

What Is The June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award?

According to a press release, the award, inspired by June Carter Cash, “recognizes an artist, duo/group or industry veteran who demonstrates an exceptional dedication to community and their fellow artists, embodying June’s spirit as a fierce advocate and initiator in paying it forward, helping others find their voice and using their platform to inspire and uplift others.”

Why Did Trisha Yearwood Receive The High Honor?

Ahead of the show, the executive producers of the CMT Music Awards revealed why they chose to give Yearwood the coveted award.

“We are thrilled to honor the incomparable Trisha Yearwood with the inaugural June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award at this year’s show,” they collectively shared. “Trisha has a unique ability to rally a community, whether that may be families in need with Habitat for Humanity, or uplifting her fellow artists and entertainers trying to carve a path in the industry. She embodies the bold strength of June, who tirelessly devoted herself to service and community, and the namesake for this award. Both multi-hyphenate trailblazers eloquently crafted a script for others to model, letting their hearts and authenticity guide their personal, professional and public lives.”

At the time of the announcement, Yearwood admitted that she was “humbled” to receive the honor.

Also Performed “Put It In A Song”

Additionally, Trisha Yearwood also took to the stage to deliver a stunning performance of a brand-new, unreleased song, titled “Put It In A Song.” The song marks her first as a co-writer, which she wrote alongside Jim Moose Brown and Next Women of Country Class of 2017’s Erin Enderlin.

Trisha Yearwood’s appearance at the show marked her first CMT Music Awards in 5 years.

2024 CMT Music Awards

The 2024 CMT Music Awards also featured performances by Jelly Roll, Bailey Zimmerman, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt, Cody Johnson, Dasha, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney and more.

The fan-voted awards show included a star-studded list of one-of-a-kind collaborations and memorable moments. Parker McCollum teamed up with Brittney Spencer to perform “Burn It Down,” while Old Dominion and Megan Moroney joined forces to deliver a performance of their fan-favorite duet, “Can’t Break Up Now.”

Meanwhile, NEEDTOBREATHE and Jordan Davis gave fans a taste of what’s to come on their episode of CMT Crossroads and Sugarland reunited to premiere a brand-new collaboration with Little Big Town, marking the duo’s return to the CMT Music Awards and their first time performing together on the show since 2011.

Trisha Yearwood; Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT
Trisha Yearwood; Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT

The three-hour broadcast also honored late country music icon, Toby Keith, with an emotional tribute performance from Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, Sammy Hagar, all backed by Toby Keith’s longtime band. Lukas Nelson and Rogers Clemens also made special appearances during the tribute.

Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney, Amber Riley, Billy Bob Thornton (Landman), Carly Pearce, Cody Alan, Cody Johnson, Emily Osment (Young Sheldon), Emma Roberts, Gayle King (CBS Mornings), James Van Der Beek, Jane Seymour, Jelly Roll, Max Theriot (Fire Country), Melissa Etheridge, Mickey Guyton, Minnie Driver, Montana Jordan (Young Sheldon), Parmalee and Paul Walter Hauser served as presenters during the coveted awards show.

Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, the 2024 CMT Music Awards aired live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, April 7 at 8/7c on CBS. The show is also available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

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Written by

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

See more posts from Andrew Wendowski

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