People’s Choice Country Awards to air LIVE from Grand Ole Opry on WSMV4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The first-ever People’s Choice Country Awards will be held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Thursday night.

Crews were busy setting up for the event on Wednesday morning. The two-hour award show, airing on WSMV4, will include performances, tributes and fan-voted awards given to the biggest names in country music, according to NBC Insider. The event will be hosted by country music group Little Big Town.

“We are honored to host the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards, especially on one of our most beloved stages in the entire world,” the band told NBC Insider. “We look forward to welcoming so many of our talented peers to take the Opry [House] stage for this magical night of music.”

Blake Shelton, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Carley Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, and HARDY are among the country music stars expected to attend the event. Shelton will present the “Country Music Icon” Award to Toby Keith, according to NBC Insider.

“We’re overjoyed to honor legendary artist Toby Keith with the first-ever ‘Country Icon’ Award,” Cassandra Tryon, Senior Vice President of Entertainment Live Events, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, told NBC News. “As a talented songwriter and powerhouse performer, Keith has touched the hearts of fans across the globe. His illustrious career and passion for philanthropy has cemented his place as an icon in country music history.”

Judd will also be honored with the Country Champion Award.

“Wynonna is one of the most recognized and lauded performers in country music,” Tryon said. “Not only is she incredibly talented, her selflessness and passion for putting the needs of others in the spotlight is unmatched. We can’t think of a better person to honor as our inaugural ‘Country Champion.’”

The People’s Country Awards will air on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8/7c on NBC and Peacock. Voting has closed.

Here are the nominated artists and bands:

THE PEOPLE’S ARTIST OF 2023

Blake Shelton
Kane Brown
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Old Dominion
Zach Bryan

THE MALE ARTIST OF 2023

Bailey Zimmerman
Blake Shelton
HARDY
Jelly Roll
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Zach Bryan

THE FEMALE ARTIST OF 2023

Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Elle King
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert

THE GROUP/DUO OF 2023

Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Lady A
Little Big Town
Maddie & Tae
Old Dominion
Parmalee
The War and Treaty

THE NEW ARTIST OF 2023

Bailey Zimmerman
Corey Kent
ERNEST
Megan Moroney
Ingrid Andress
Jelly Roll
Priscilla Block
Zach Bryan

THE SOCIAL COUNTRY STAR OF 2023

Bailey Zimmerman
Blake Shelton
Carrie Underwood
Dolly Parton
Kelsea Ballerini
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Shania Twain

THE SONG OF 2023

“Fast Car” - Luke Combs (Songwriter: Tracy Chapman)
“Last Night” - Morgan Wallen (Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak)
“Love You Anyway” - Luke Combs (Songwriters: Dan Isbell, Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher)
“Need A Favor” - Jelly Roll (Songwriters: Austin Nivarel, Jason DeFord/Jelly Roll, Joe Ragosta, Rob Ragosta)
“Tennessee Orange” - Megan Moroney (Songwriters: Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins)
“Thank God” - Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown (Songwriters: Christian Stalnecker, Jared Mullins, Jaxson Free, Josh Hoge, Kyle Fishman)
“Thinkin’ Bout Me” - Morgan Wallen (Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak, Taylor Phillips)
“wait in the truck” - HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson (Songwriters: Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy, Renee Blair)

THE COLLABORATION SONG OF 2023

1. “Beer With My Friends” - Kenny Chesney & Old Dominion (Songwriters: Bryan Simpson, David Lee Murphy, Shy Carter)

2. “Cowgirls” - Morgan Wallen feat. ERNEST (Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Ernest Keith Smith, James Maddocks, Milan Modi, Rocky Block, Ryan Vojtesak)

3. “red” - HARDY feat. Morgan Wallen (Songwriters: Michael Hardy, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Jacob Rice)

4. “Save Me” - Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson (Songwriters: David Ray Stevens, Jason DeFord/Jelly Roll)

5. “Thank God” - Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown (Songwriters: Christian Stalnecker, Jared Mullins, Jaxson Free, Josh Hoge, Kyle Fishman)

6. “wait in the truck” - HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson (Songwriters: Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy, Renee Blair)

7. “We Don’t Fight Anymore” - Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton (Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Carly Pearce, Pete Good)

8. “You, Me, And Whiskey” - Justin Moore, Priscilla Block (Songwriters: Brock Berryhill, Jessi Alexander, Cole Taylor)

THE CROSSOVER SONG OF 2023

“Dawns” - Zach Bryan feat. Maggie Rogers (Songwriters: Maggie Rogers, Zachary Lane Bryan)
“Just Say I’m Sorry” - P!nk, Chris Stapleton (Songwriters: Alecia Moore, Chris Stapleton)
“Life Goes On” - Ed Sheeran feat. Luke Combs (Songwriter: Ed Sheeran)
“Seasons” - Bebe Rexha, Dolly Parton (Songwriters: Bebe Rexha, Ido Zmishlany, Sarah Solovay)
“Texas” - Jessie Murph feat. Maren Morris (Songwriters: Alex Niceforo, Amy Allen, Jessie Murph, Warren “Oak” Felder)
“That’s Not How This Works” - Charlie Puth feat. Dan + Shay (Songwriters: Jordan Reynolds, Charlie Puth, Dan Smyers)
“UNHEALTHY” - Anne-Marie feat. Shania Twain (Anne-Marie Nicholson, CASTLE, Connor McDonough, Riley McDonough)
“Wasted” - Diplo feat. Kodak Black & Koe Wetzel (Songwriters: Bill K. Kapri, Richard Cook Mears IV, Ropyr Wetzel, Thomas Wesley Pentz)

THE ALBUM OF 2023

Bell Bottom Country - Lainey Wilson
Different Man - Kane Brown
Gettin’ Old - Luke Combs
One Thing At A Time - Morgan Wallen
Religiously. The Album. - Bailey Zimmerman
Rolling Up The Welcome Mat - Kelsea Ballerini
the mockingbird & THE CROW - HARDY
Whitsitt Chapel - Jelly Roll

THE MUSIC VIDEO OF 2023

“In Your Love” - Tyler Childers
“Need a Favor” - Jelly Roll
“Tennessee Orange” - Megan Moroney
“Thank God” - Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown
“Thought You Should Know” - Morgan Wallen
“wait in the truck” - HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson
“Where We Started” - Thomas Rhett, Katy Perry
“You Proof” - Morgan Wallen

THE CONCERT TOUR OF 2023

Blake Shelton: Back to the Honky Tonk Tour
Carrie Underwood: Denim & Rhinestones Tour
Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show Tour
Kenny Chesney: I Go Back 2023 Tour
Luke Combs World Tour
Morgan Wallen: One Night At A Time World Tour
Shania Twain: Queen of Me Tour
Zach Bryan: The Burn, Burn, Burn Tour

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