The biggest stars in country music were out on Thursday night for the first-ever People’s Choice Country Awards.
The ceremony, which was hosted by the popular quartet Little Big Town, opened up with one of its biggest awards for Female Artist of 2023, with the renamed trio Lady A (former Lady Antebellum) presenting the award.
Lainey Wilson, who has had a stratospheric rise in the genre, was announced as the first winner of the evening.
The show also featured previously announced honorary awards to country star Toby Keith and music legend Wynonna Judd.
Lainey was clearly emotional as she accepted her award, and she admitted she had ‘very big shoes to fill’ as she joined the ranks of top country stars.
Winner! Lainey Wilson won the first award of the night for Female Artist of 2023 at the first-ever People’s Choice Country Awards on Thursday
Country stars: The show kicked off with a performance from Little Big Town, who was also hosting the ceremony
