Sep 29, 2023

“People’s Choice Country Awards”

Thursday night, NBC and Peacock aired the inaugural “People’s Choice Country Awards” at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Bringing together legends and the hottest names in country music to celebrate the year’s greatest accomplishments.

The night was hosted by Little Big Town and featured unforgettable performances from country music’s biggest superstars including Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, HARDY, and Jelly Roll.

Toby Keith was honored with the “Country Icon” Award, recognizing his decades-long career as a musician and humanitarian. His “Oklahoma Brother” Blake Shelton honored him with a heartfelt performance of “Who’s Your Daddy” and then presented the award, noting that Toby is “the man who taught [him] more about performing than anyone else.” After accepting the award, Keith performed his song “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”

Wynonna Judd 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.”