Parker McCollum Snags Breakthrough Video of the Year at the 2022 CMT Music Awards
Parker McCollum just notched a major milestone in his country music career: He won Breakthrough Video of the Year at the 2022 CMT Music Awards. His big win was announced during the awards show, which aired live from Nashville on Monday night (April 11).
The Breakthrough Video of the Year award was presented by the reigning winner Dylan Scott, who presented McCollum with a beer featuring a "green jacket beer koozie" as a nod to the Masters Tournament. Upon being announced as the winner, McCollum kissed his new wife Hallie Ray, after which Old Dominion's Matthew Ramsey and other stars urged him to the microphone.
McCollum shook hands with some fellow country singers, including Thomas Rhett, while walking to the stage. The Texas native expressed his surprise in his acceptance speech, sharing that family members were watching from home, and both his parents and his wife's parents were in attendance at the show.
"I've never won nothing and had to say anything," McCollum said. "I try to write real country songs from the heart that mean something and I appreciate being recognized. Thank y'all."
Competition was fierce in this category, and the winning video beat out Breland's "Cross Country," Caitlyn Smith's "I Can't (feat. Old Dominion), Elvie Shane's "My Boy," Parker McCollum's "To Be Loved by You," Priscilla Block's "Just About Over You" and Tenille Arts' "Back Then, Right Now."
The reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year, McCollum's undoubtedly on a winning streak, and that continues tonight with his Breakthrough Video of the Year win. The music video for "To Be Loved by You" is California cool, with McCollum rocking out in a parking lot jam session and cruising through the city and country in a black car.
McCollum walked into tonight's show both a nominee and a performer: He joined his fellow Breakthrough Video of the Year nominees Smith, Shane, Block and Breland on the Ram Trucks Side Stage, which showcases new stars in the making.
The 2022 CMT Music Awards broadcasted live from Nashville on CBS. This year marked the first time that the awards show has aired on a major network.