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The inaugural "People's Choice Country Awards" went down last night in Nashville . . . and if you were busy watching football, "The Golden Bachelor", or "Lego Masters", I understand. You didn't miss much.
I live and love country music, but if they're going to give us a fourth awards show in one calendar year, at least make it unique. There was nothing fresh or new. Morgan Wallen won the big award, People's Artist of 2023, and he wasn't there.
Neither was Jelly Roll. He was performing in Cincinnati and said his thank you via satellite after winning Male Artist. Also not there? Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, and Keith Urban, to name a few.
Little Big Town hosted the show, but they're a group. Sure, they're nice people and they're talented singers, but awards shows need interesting, funny personalities. Make us laugh and entertain us. That's the job.
Lainey Wilson and her shiny bell-bottoms took home three awards, including Female Artist of 2023.
Here's a head-scratcher. Blake Shelton won Social Country Star of 2023. He's good for an occasional post but he's NOT as active as artists like Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, and even Dolly Parton.
The night's best moment was Toby Keith's triumphant return after beating stomach cancer. Blake presented him with the Country Music Icon Award, and a very thin Toby joked, "I bet you never thought you'd see me in skinny jeans."
Toby also gave a very nuanced, and emotional performance of "Don't Let the Old Man In", and got a well-deserved standing ovation.
Wynonna was given the County Champion Award, and she treated the crowd to a medley of hits. She brought her husband Cactus Moser along and for some reason, that got people talking.