People’s Choice Country Awards 2023: Everything to Know About the Inaugural Award Show – PEOPLE

The inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards are here!

The all-new, fan-voted award show — which is an off-shoot of the People’s Choice Awards and celebrates the biggest stars and most exciting rising names in country music — kicks off on Thursday.

The ceremony will air live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville with the band Little Big Town hosting the event. 

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This year’s PCCAs will honor several solo artists and groups across country music for their accomplishments, present coveted awards to two country music legends and see performances from a star-studded lineup of talent, including several nominees. 

Keep reading for everything to know about the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards.

Who is nominated at the 2023 PCCAs?

A handful of country music superstars are among this year’s nominees across the People’s Choice Country Awards 12 categories, which includes song, album, music video, collaboration, crossover song, tour, male solo artist, female solo artist, group/duo, social country star, new artist and people’s artist of 2023. 

Morgan Wallen is the most-nominated artist with 11 nods. Luke Combs follows him with nine nominations, while Jelly Roll has eight, Lainey Wilson has seven, HARDY, Kane Brown and Zach Bryan all have six and and Megan Moroney has five. 

Brown, Bryan, Combs, Wallen and Wilson, as well as Kelsea Ballerini, Old Dominion and Blake Shelton, are all up for the top prize of the people’s artist of 2023. 

Also among this year’s nominees are stars like Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Shania Twain and more. 

See the full list of nominees here. 

Who is performing at the 2023 PCCAs?

During the ceremony, Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, HARDY, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Toby Keith, and Wynonna Judd will all take the Grand Ole Opry stage. The official lineup of performers was announced earlier in September. 

Who will be honored at the 2023 PCCAs?

The People’s Choice Country Awards will present two coveted awards: the people’s icon award and the country champion award. 

This year, Toby Keith — who recently returned to the stage in July despite undergoing treatment for stomach cancer — will receive the people’s icon award for his legendary career that spans over three decades. Blake Shelton will present the “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” hitmaker, 62, with the recognition. 

“We’re overjoyed to honor legendary artist Toby Keith with the first-ever country icon award,” Cassandra Tryon, senior vp, of entertainment live events for NBCUniversal television and streaming said in a statement. “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.”  

Wynonna Judd will also receive the first-ever country champion award, which celebrates how she’s dedicated her platform to philanthropy and social advocacy throughout her career. The former member of The Judds, 59, has previously advocated for prison reform, among other causes.  

Brothers Osborne will present her with the trophy. The singer-songwriter previously awarded the duo vocal duo of the year — an award she won with her late mother Naomi Judd — at the 2022 CMAs.

Tryon shared a statement in a press release when Judd was announced as the country champion award recipient: “Wynonna is one of the most recognized and lauded performers in country music. Not only is she incredibly talented, her selflessness and passion for putting the needs of others in the spotlight is unmatched.”

Who is presenting at the 2023 PCCAs?

An A-list roster of talent will be announcing the winners throughout the ceremony. In addition to Blake Shelton and Brothers Osbourne awarding the honorary people’s icon and country champion awards, respectively, presenters include: 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.

Who is hosting the 2023 PCCAs? 

Little Big Town, who is nominated for best group/duo of 2023 and among the performers, will be pulling hosting duty at the inaugural award show. 

Last year, the long-running four-piece band released their 10th studio album Mr. Sun, which reached the top 10 of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. 

How to watch the 2023 PCCAs:

The 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards will air live from Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry House on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming live on Peacock. 

Prior to the ceremony, the PCCAs will first kick off with a pre-show featuring red carpet arrivals, exclusive interviews and more. Titled Backstage Live: People’s Choice Country Awards, the official red carpet live stream will air on Peacock and social platforms such as PCA Twitter, NBC Twitter/Facebook/YouTube, TODAY All Day/Twitter, E! News Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/E! Online, Access Twitter/YouTube, and Circle.