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What to Know About the People's Choice Country Awards

The inaugural awards show honors the best and brightest in country music. 

By Jessica White

The first-ever People's Choice Country Awards ceremony is here. 

How to Watch

The People’s Choice Country Awards will return on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 8/7c. Watch the 2023 ceremony on NBC and Peacock

You read that right: We have a brand-new country-loving awards ceremony premiering this year. The People's Choice Country Awards is designed as a love letter to the country music industry and an expansion of the beloved People's Choice Awards. Oh, and did we mention The Voice GOAT, Blake Shelton, will be there?

The People’s Choice Country Awards will be hosted in Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry House, a befitting venue for an event dedicated to country music.

Here's everything to know about how to watch and stream the inaugural People's Choice Country Awards. 

People's Choice Country Award winners 

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

Songwriters: Austin Nivarel, Jason DeFord/Jelly Roll, Joe Ragosta, Rob Ragosta

THE COLLABORATION SONG OF 2023

“Save Me”

Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson

Songwriters: David Stevens, Jason DeFord/Jelly Roll

THE CROSSOVER SONG OF 2023 

“Just Say I'm Sorry”

P!nk, Chris Stapleton

Songwriters: Alecia Moore, Chris Stapleton

THE ALBUM OF 2023

One Thing At A Time

Morgan Wallen

THE MUSIC VIDEO OF 2023

“wait in the truck”

HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson

THE CONCERT TOUR OF 2023

Morgan Wallen: One Night At A Time World Tour

People's Choice Country Awards presenters 

You'll see these famous faces presenting awards on the big night: Adam Doleac, Blake Shelton, Brothers Osborne, 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. 

People's Choice Country Awards performers 

These Artists will take the stage at the People's Choice Country Awards: 

  • Blake Shelton
  • Carly Pearce
  • Dan + Shay
  • HARDY
  • Jelly Roll
  • Kane Brown
  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Little Big Town
  • Toby Keith 
  • Wynonna Judd

When are the People’s Choice Country Awards?

The inaugural two-hour People’s Choice Country Awards will air live on September 28 at 8/7c across NBC and Peacock, from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

The People's Choice Country Awards nominations

See the full list of nominations, below: 

Blake Shelton performing on stage.

THE PEOPLE'S ARTIST OF 2023

  1. Blake Shelton

  2. Kane Brown

  3. Kelsea Ballerini

  4. Lainey Wilson

  5. Luke Combs

  6. Morgan Wallen

  7. Old Dominion

  8. Zach Bryan

THE MALE ARTIST OF 2023

  1. Bailey Zimmerman

  2. Blake Shelton

  3. HARDY

  4. Jelly Roll

  5. Kane Brown

  6. Luke Combs

  7. Morgan Wallen

  8. Zach Bryan

THE FEMALE ARTIST OF 2023

  1. Ashley McBryde

  2. Carly Pearce

  3. Carrie Underwood

  4. Elle King

  5. Kelsea Ballerini

  6. Lainey Wilson

  7. Megan Moroney

  8. Miranda Lambert

THE GROUP/DUO OF 2023

  1. Brothers Osborne

  2. Dan + Shay

  3. Lady A

  4. Little Big Town

  5. Maddie & Tae

  6. Old Dominion

  7. Parmalee

      8. The War and Treaty

THE NEW ARTIST OF 2023

  1. Bailey Zimmerman

  2. Corey Kent

  3. ERNEST

  4. Megan Moroney

  5. Ingrid Andress 

  6. Jelly Roll

  7. Priscilla Block

  8. Zach Bryan

THE SOCIAL COUNTRY STAR OF 2023

  1. Bailey Zimmerman

  2. Blake Shelton

  3. Carrie Underwood

  4. Dolly Parton

  5. Kelsea Ballerini

  6. Luke Combs

  7. Morgan Wallen

  8. Shania Twain

THE SONG OF 2023 

  1. "Fast Car" - Luke Combs (Songwriter: Tracy Chapman)

  2. "Last Night" - Morgan Wallen (Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak)

  3. "Love You Anyway" - Luke Combs (Songwriters: Dan Isbell, Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher)

  4. "Need A Favor" - Jelly Roll (Songwriters: Austin Nivarel, Jason DeFord/Jelly Roll, Joe Ragosta, Rob Ragosta)

  5. "Tennessee Orange" - Megan Moroney (Songwriters: Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins)

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

  7. "Thinkin’ Bout Me" - Morgan Wallen (Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak, Taylor Phillips)

  8. "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

  1. "Dawns" - Zach Bryan feat. Maggie Rogers (Songwriters: Maggie Rogers, Zachary Lane Bryan)

  2. "Just Say I’m Sorry" - P!nk, Chris Stapleton (Songwriters: Alecia Moore, Chris Stapleton)

  3. "Life Goes On" - Ed Sheeran feat. Luke Combs (Songwriter: Ed Sheeran)

  4. "Seasons" - Bebe Rexha, Dolly Parton (Songwriters: Bebe Rexha, Ido Zmishlany, Sarah Solovay)

  5. "Texas" - Jessie Murph feat. Maren Morris (Songwriters: Alex Niceforo, Amy Allen, Jessie Murph, Warren "Oak" Felder)

  6. "That’s Not How This Works" - Charlie Puth feat. Dan + Shay (Songwriters: Jordan Reynolds, Charlie Puth, Dan Smyers)

  7. "UNHEALTHY" - Anne-Marie feat. Shania Twain (Anne-Marie Nicholson, CASTLE, Connor McDonough, Riley McDonough)

  8. "Wasted" - Diplo feat. Kodak Black & Koe Wetzel (Songwriters: Bill K. Kapri, Richard Cook Mears IV, Ropyr Wetzel, Thomas Wesley Pentz) 

THE ALBUM OF 2023

  1. Bell Bottom Country - Lainey Wilson

  2. Different Man - Kane Brown

  3. Gettin' Old - Luke Combs

  4. One Thing At A Time - Morgan Wallen

  5. Religiously. The Album. - Bailey Zimmerman

  6. Rolling Up The Welcome Mat - Kelsea Ballerini

  1. the mockingbird & THE CROW - HARDY

  2. Whitsitt Chapel - Jelly Roll

THE MUSIC VIDEO OF 2023

  1. "In Your Love" - Tyler Childers

  2. "Need a Favor" - Jelly Roll

  3. "Tennessee Orange" - Megan Moroney

  4. "Thank God" - Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown

  5. "Thought You Should Know" - Morgan Wallen

  6. "wait in the truck" - HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson

  7. "Where We Started" - Thomas Rhett, Katy Perry

  8. "You Proof" - Morgan Wallen

THE CONCERT TOUR OF 2023

  1. Blake Shelton: Back to the Honky Tonk Tour

  2. Carrie Underwood: Denim & Rhinestones Tour

  3. Chris Stapleton's All-American Road Show Tour

  4. Kenny Chesney: I Go Back 2023 Tour

  5. Luke Combs World Tour

  6. Morgan Wallen: One Night At A Time World Tour

  7. Shania Twain: Queen of Me Tour

  8. Zach Bryan: The Burn, Burn, Burn Tour

Who is hosting the People's Choice Country Awards?

Superstar country music group Little Big Town will host the first-ever People’s Choice Country Awards.

Little Big Town taking a bow during CMA Fest.

“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 said. “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 will present the "Country Music Icon" award to Toby Keith

Toby Keith and Blake Shelton performing on stage.

Everyone’s favorite country-loving Coach from The Voice is returning to television on NBC. He has the honor of presenting one of the most exciting awards of the night. Live from the Grand Ole Opry House, Toby Keith will receive the Country Music Icon from fellow Oklahoman, Shelton.

Shelton is eager to jump on stage to provide a heartful tribute to the award-winning country legend. Like Shelton, Keith is a triple-threat singer, songwriter, and entertainer, which only scratches the surface of the country legend’s achievements. 

“We’re overjoyed to honor legendary artist Toby Keith with the first-ever “Country Icon” Award,” said Cassandra Tryon, Senior Vice President, Entertainment Live Events, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “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.”  

Toby Keith performing on stage.

The proud creator of 42 Top-10 hits, 32 #1 singles, and more than 10 billion streams, Keith is a powerhouse performer to his core. On top of his illustrious music career, Keith is also a philanthropist. His annual golf classics fund The Toby Keith Foundation, has raised nearly $18 million for charity, and his foundation OK Kids Korral offers cost-free housing for families of children dealing with critical illnesses.

Wynonna Judd will receive a major award

It was announced on September 8 that the country superstar is set to receive the inaugural Country Champion Award at the ceremony. She's also hosting a brand new NBC special, Christmas at the Opry, set to air on Thursday, December 7 at 8/7c.

“Wynonna is one of the most recognized and lauded performers in country music,” said Cassandra Tryon, senior vice president of live events at NBCUniversal Entertainment. “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’ and to celebrate the holidays with across these two major country music events.” 

Wynonna Judd wears a black blazer and smiles on the red carpet during the CMT Music Awards

What are the People’s Choice Country Awards?

The People's Choice Country Awards is an exciting new expansion of the People's Choice Awards, designed as a tribute to the country music industry.

The two-hour telecast will lean into the rich connection between country music and the Opry House through chart-topping musical performances, genre-bending collaborations, and legendary tributes. Plus, there will be those iconic surprise appearances that make the Grand Ole Opry House such a favored venue.

The People’s Choice Country Awards will recognize the biggest and best country music has to offer, chosen entirely by the fans across various categories. Several honorary awards will also be bestowed during the ceremony.    

Grand Ole Opry Stage

“We’re excited to partner with the Grand Ole Opry House to bring the year’s biggest celebration in country music to Nashville,” Cassandra Tryon, the Senior Vice President of Live Events at NBCUniversal Television & Streaming, announced. “Country fans are passionate about their music and there’s no better place to host this event than from country music’s biggest stage.”  

Where to watch the People's Choice Country Awards

The People Choice Country Awards will air on NBC and Peacock. The People’s Choice Country Awards will also extend to social platforms, with All-Access Live bringing fans at home behind the scenes as well as interactively connecting the country’s most popular stars with their biggest fans.

Originally published Mar 13, 2023.