Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan among performers

Deacon Claybourne is taking the reins of the loudest night in country music as CMT has announced that Nashville star Charles Esten will host the fan-voted 2017 CMT Music Awards, live from Nashville on Wednesday, June 7th at 8 pm ET/PT. The announcement was made by Esten on Instagram. The news comes on the heels of the beloved music drama, which recently shattered ratings and viewership for CMT, returning with new episodes on Thursday, June 1st at 9 pm ET/PT and a new season slated to premiere early next year.

Superstars Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett are set to perform with additional artists, presenters and special guests being announced soon.

“Everybody knows that CMT has a special connection with country music and the incredible fans that love it so much,” said Charles Esten. “That connection is why our show, Nashville, now has a perfect home on the network. It’s also why there is no other show quite like the CMT Music Awards. It’s a show fully dedicated to the fans and an annual chance for them to place their votes for their favorite artists. Besides always being flat-out fun, it’s also always been a stage for magical musical moments – and a place where some of country’s biggest legends have been made. I’m thrilled and honored to get to host this great event.”

Nominations will be announced on Tuesday, May 9th. Fan voting begins the same day at CMT.com and continues until Monday, June 5th at 12:01 am ET.