The Ladies 'Geek Out' at CMT Artists of the Year

Country singers Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Kelsea Ballerini honored each other and celebrated their shared successes at the CMT Artists of the Year show. Female singers rocked the stage, geeked out over one another, and showcased women's impact on country music's past, present, and future during the awards show held Wednesday at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tenn., the AP reports. The show will air Thursday on CMT at 9pm EDT. Twain, one of country music's most successful female singers, was given the artist of a lifetime award and was serenaded with a medley of her songs by female artists across three genres.

Twain thanked CMT for its support, "even in my more rebellious years in the beginning." Ballerini, who was given the breakout artist honor, stopped to have a fangirl moment in the middle of her speech. "Whoa, I am nervous," Ballerini said. "That is Shania Twain," pointing to the Grammy winner in the audience. Underwood, who was one of the artists of the year, performed "Like I'll Never Love You Again," backed up by hit songwriters Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey, and Lori McKenna. Other artists of the year included Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, and Chris Stapleton. (Randy Travis amazed the crowd at his Hall of Fame induction earlier this week.)