The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville
The inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards are in the books. NBC and Peacock aired the show tonight (Thurs, Sept 28th) live from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to celebrate the year’s greatest accomplishments, toast iconic careers, and enjoy magnetic country music performances. Superstar country music group Little Big Town hosted the show and also performed their hit song “Boondocks.”
Later, they invited fellow Grand Ole Opry members to the stage to share personal stories about being invited to be members, including Carly Pearce, Chris Young, Dustin Lynch, Lady A, and Lauren Alaina.
The telecast honored country music legend Toby Keith with the Country Icon Award, recognizing his decades-long career as a groundbreaking musician, humanitarian, and entrepreneur. Fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton presented the award and honored him with a heartfelt performance of Keith’s hit “Who’s Your Daddy.” After he accepted the award, Keith performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” Grammy Award-winning singer Wynonna received the Country Champion Award, presented by Brothers Osborne, for her decades-long career and heroic efforts around philanthropy and activism. The country star took the stage to perform her iconic hits, “I Saw the Light” and “No One Else on Earth.”
In her acceptance speech, she recounted attending her Country Music Hall of Fame induction the day after her mother’s death, saying, “That’s how much we love music – regardless of what has happened to me and who, I show up and I show out.”
The show also featured dynamic performances from country superstars Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Hardy, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini.The show featured unforgettable performances from country music’s biggest superstars.
Dan + Shay — who took home the award for Best Group/Duo of 2023 — performed “Bigger Houses” off their new album of the same name. When accepting the award, they credited country music for “saving [their] lives” and making their dreams come true.
Hardy — who received the award for top Music Video of 2023 for his song “Wait in the Truck” featuring Lainey Wilson — performed his song “Truck Bed.”
Jelly Roll closed the show with a performance of his hit “Save Me.” Earlier in the night, he won awards for Male Artist of 2023, New Artist of 2023, Song of 2023 and Collaboration Song of 2023. He accepted the honors from his tour stage in Cincinnati, exclaiming, “It’s always for the fans first, baby. The underdogs are back on top, baby!”
Despite his absence, Morgan Wallen won the night’s top award — The People’s Artist of 2023 — along with Album of 2023 for One Night at a Time and Concert Tour of 2023 for One Night at a Time Tour.
Presenters who took the stage to honor country music’s biggest stars, included Adam Doleac, Carly Pearce, Chris Young, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Hunter Hayes, Jessie James Decker, Josh Ross, Kameron Marlowe, Kristin Cavallari, Lady A, Lauren Alaina, Leanne Morgan, Mickey Guyton, Nikki Garcia, Scotty McCreery and The War And Treaty.
THE PEOPLE’S ARTIST OF 2023
Morgan Wallen
THE MALE ARTIST OF 2023
Jelly Roll
THE FEMALE ARTIST OF 2023
Lainey Wilson
THE GROUP/DUO OF 2023
Dan + Shay
THE NEW ARTIST OF 2023
Jelly Roll
THE SOCIAL COUNTRY STAR OF 2023
Blake Shelton
THE SONG OF 2023
“Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll
THE COLLABORATION SONG OF 2023
“Save Me” – Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson
THE CROSSOVER SONG OF 2023
“Just Say I’m Sorry” – P!nk & Chris Stapleton
THE ALBUM OF 2023
One Thing At A Time – Morgan Wallen
THE MUSIC VIDEO OF 2023
“Wait in the Truck” – Hardy featuring Lainey Wilson
THE CONCERT TOUR OF 2023
Morgan Wallen: One Night At A Time World Tour
