Awards
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Keke Palmer, Jermaine Dupri, music executive Jason Flom, TV producer Jesse Collins and Tariq Cherif and Matt Zingler, co-founders of Rolling Loud, are among the honorees at the 2023 BMAC Gala, the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) announced on Wednesday (Aug. 23).
The 2023 BMAC Gala, presented by Live Nation, will take place on Thursday, Sept. 21 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. The event honors individuals and organizations who have affected positive change and helped improve equity within the community.
The 2023 BMAC Gala honorees include:
BMAC Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award: Jermaine Dupri (Grammy-winning hip-hop artist, producer, songwriter, author, DJ, and CEO of So So Def)
BMAC Social Impact Award: Keke Palmer (Primetime Emmy-winning actress, singer, songwriter, producer); Dr. Menna Demessie (SVP, Universal Music Group and executive director, Task Force for Meaningful Change), and Jesse Collins (Primetime Emmy-winning executive producer, whose company is one of the producers of this event)
BMAC Change Agent Award: Jason Flom (co-founder and CEO of Lava for Good and Lava Media); Trae tha Truth (rapper and activist)
BMAC 365 Award: Tariq Cherif and Matt Zingler (Rolling Loud co-founders)
Additional honorees will be announced in the coming weeks.
“As we come together at this year’s BMAC Gala, we celebrate the passion, artistry and activism that burns bright in the hearts of our honorees,” Prophet “Willie” Stiggers, co-founder/chair Black Music Action Coalition, said in a statement. “They all have fearlessly embraced the power of music and entertainment to drive change and transcend boundaries.”
Caron Veazey, BMAC co-founder, added: “The BMAC Gala has come to be regarded as a night where our music industry family isn’t celebrating the standard accolades: the number of streams on a hit song, or how many tickets have sold on a world tour, or who has the most #1s. The BMAC Gala has become synonymous with the importance of centering awareness on equality and equity. It’s an evening where we come together to shine a light on the incredible contributions of the honorees, and to celebrate the impact they’ve made on the journey towards social justice.”
This year’s Gala will include a special tribute to the late Clarence Avant, who was on the BMAC advisory board. Avant, who died on Aug. 13 at age 92, received numerous top-level accolades, including a trustees award from the Recording Academy in 2008 and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.
“With heavy hearts we also pay tribute to the Black Godfather, Clarence Avant,” Stiggers said. “He trailblazed the path that we all walk on, and his impact is immeasurable.”
Shawn Holiday, BMAC co-founder, added: “BMAC will always be honored to have had him on our advisory board. His life, and contributions to the industry, are unparalleled, his legacy will live on forever.”
Since Black Music Action Coalition’s inception in 2020, the organization has been active in addressing systemic racism within the music business and advocating on behalf of Black artists, songwriters, producers, managers, agents, executives, lawyers and other industry professionals.
The Black Music Action Coalition board includes (in addition to Stiggers, Holiday and Veazey), Ashaunna Ayars, Naima Cochrane, Jamil Davis, Damien Smith and Courtney Stewart. The BMAC advisory board includes Irving Azoff and Quincy Jones.
The 2023 BMAC Gala is produced by Primary Wave and Jesse Collins Entertainment and is presented by Live Nation with support by partners Variety and Apple Music. For more information regarding Black Music Action Coalition and the BMAC Gala, visit bmacoalition.org.
The 2023 ACM Honors, which is set to tape on Wednesday (Aug. 23) at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, has added additional performers and presenters to its lineup.
Nelly, who collaborated with Tim McGraw on the genre-bridging 2004 hit “Over and Over,” will appear. McGraw is set to receive the ACM Icon Award. “Over and Over” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Also added to the lineup are Randy Travis, actor and singer Dennis Quaid, Big Kenny, Priscilla Block, Lee Brice, Billy Ray Cyrus + Firerose With Travis Denning, Sara Evans, Marty Stuart, Storme Warren, Hailey Whitters and Brett Young.
Four-time ACM Award winner Carly Pearce will return for a third year to host the ceremony. Pearce will also perform on the show, which will air on FOX for a second year on Monday, Sept. 18, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT.
The final performer lineup for the FOX broadcast will be announced in the following weeks. That usually means that the producers plan to tape more than they can they use in a two-hour program so they have choices in editing the final program.
The event, which the ACM likes to call the “country music industry’s favorite night,” will recognize several special honorees, including ACM Triple Crown Award recipient Chris Stapleton. The latter award goes to artists who have won an ACM new artist award; an ACM award for top male, female, group or duo; and an ACM entertainer of the year award. Stapleton is the ninth artist to receive the award. He was named top new male vocalist in 2015, top male vocalist for the first time in 2017 and entertainer of the year at the show on May 11.
Two of the awards will be presented posthumously. Charlie Daniels, who is set to receive the ACM Spirit Award, and K.T. Oslin, who is set to receive the ACM Poet’s Award, both died in 2020.
“We are thrilled to be working with FOX for a second year to bring one of our industry’s favorite nights, filled with emotional tributes and unforgettable performances, to primetime television,” Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside said in a previous statement.
The 16th Annual ACM Honors will be produced for television by ACM Productions LLC. Damon Whiteside is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Martin Fischer is executive producer for Opry Entertainment. Edie Lynn Hoback is producer.
Honorees
Clint Black (ACM Poet’s Award)
BRELAND (ACM Lift Every Voice Award)
Kane Brown (ACM International Award)
Mary Chapin Carpenter (ACM Poet’s Award)
Charlie Cook (ACM Spirit Award)
Charlie Daniels (ACM Service Award)
Mike Dungan (ACM Icon Award)
Ashley Gorley (ACM Songwriter of the Year)
HARDY (ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year)
Bill Mayne (ACM Service Award)
Tim McGraw (ACM Icon Award)
K.T. Oslin (ACM Poet’s Award)
Chris Stapleton (ACM Triple Crown Award)
Troy Vollhoffer (ACM Lifting Lives Award)
Performers and Presenters
Big Kenny
Priscilla Block
BRELAND
Lee Brice
Brandy Clark
Billy Ray Cyrus + FIREROSE with Travis Denning
Jordan Davis
Sara Evans
Chris Janson
Lady A
Nelly
Carly Pearce
Dennis Quaid
Emily Shackelton
Marty Stuart
Randy Travis
Keith Urban
The War And Treaty
Storme Warren
Hailey Whitters
Anne Wilson
Trisha Yearwood
Brett Young
Bailey Zimmerman
acm-honors-poster-billboard-1240
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The Streamy Awards are less than a week away, and on Tuesday (Aug. 22), Dick Clark Productions and Tubefilter shared the performer and presenter lineup for the event with Billboard.
Armani White is set to take the stage to deliver a medley of his viral Billboard Hot 100 hit “Billie Eilish” as well as “Silver Tooth,” before Icona Pop take the stage to perform their new single “Fall in Love” along with “I Love It,” their 2013 Hot 100 top 10 hit with Charli XCX.
This year’s presenters include social media stars Anna Sitar, Brianna Chickenfry, Chris Olsen, Colin and Samir, Delaney Rowe, Dream, Drew Afualo, Druski, Dylan Mulvaney, Happy Kelli, Kris Collins, Lizzy McAlpine, Michelle Khare, Pinkydoll, Rhett & Link, Ryan Trahan, Smosh, Supercar Blondie, Tana Mongeau and xQc. Additionally, RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Shea Couleé will be appearing throughout the show to interact with creators in the audience.
The Streamys Creator Honors are also returning this year to recognize three creators whose original content and unique voices have inspired and entertained millions worldwide. The awards will be presented by Amelia Dimoldenberg (Chicken Shop Date), Blogilates and Brandon Rogers. The Streamys will also present the inaugural Rolling Stone Sound of the Year award to the year’s most impactful songs on social media and popular culture.
Hosted by seven-time Streamy Award winner MatPat, the Streamys will air live on Sunday (Aug. 27) at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT here. After the livestream, the entire show will be available to watch on demand. For more information on the show, check out the Streamys’ website here.
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South Korean boy band Stray Kids and Colombian superstar Karol G are set to perform on the MTV Video Music Awards for the first time. The show is set to air live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Italian rock band Måneskin is set to perform on the show for the second year in a row. American pop veteran Demi Lovato is set to return to the VMA stage for the first time in six years.
The fact that three of the first four artists announced for this year’s show are from outside the U.S. dramatizes how the music scene has become more global in recent years. This is a far more international cast than the inaugural VMAs in 1984, where there were five American performers (Madonna, Huey Lewis & the News, Tina Turner, ZZ Top and Ray Parker Jr.) and two Brits (Rod Stewart and David Bowie, the latter represented by a pre-taped performance from London).
Stray Kids will offer the U.S. broadcast premiere of “S-Class,” which brought them their second VMA nomination in as many years for best K-pop. The group was nominated in that same category last year for “Maniac” but lost to Lisa for “Lalisa.” “S-Class” is featured on 5-STAR: The 3rd Album, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1 in June, becoming the group’s third No. 1 on that chart in less than 15 months. It followed Stray Kids Mini Album: Oddinary andMaxident.
Karol G will bring “Bichota Season” to life on the VMAs stage. The singer’s Mañana Será Bonito entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1 in March, making her the first woman to reach the top spot with an all-Spanish-language album. Karol G, now in the midst of her first stadium tour, received three nominations this year – artist of the year and also best Latin and best collaboration, both for “TQG,” a collab with Shakira. This is the fourth year in a row that Karol G has been nominated for best Latin.
Lovato returns for her first VMAs performance in six years, just days before the Sept. 15 release of her remix album Revamped, which features rock versions of her hit songs. Lovato performed “Give Your Heart a Break” on the VMAs pre-show in 2012. She made her main stage debut in 2015 with “Cool for the Summer” and returned two years later to perform “Sorry Not Sorry.” The singer, who took home best video with a message in 2012 for “Skyscraper,” is nominated in two categories this year: best pop and video for good, both for “Swine.” Lovato is a 14-time career VMA nominee.
Måneskin is set to give the world-premiere performance of their new single “Honey (Are You Coming?),” which is due for release on Sept. 1. The Italian band made its VMAs and U.S. awards show debut last year when they performed “Supermodel.” They also won best alternative for “I Wanna Be Your Slave.” This year, the band is nominated for best rock for “The Loneliest,” making them the first Italian act to be nominated two years running in a main show category.
Taylor Swift leads this year’s nominations with eight nods, followed by SZA (six), Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Smith (five each), and BLACKPINK, Diddy and Shakira (four each).
Fans can vote for their favorites across 15 gender-neutral categories, including video of the year, by visiting vote.mtv.com through Friday, Sept. 1. Voting for best new artist will remain active into the show. Nominations for social categories including group of the year and song of summer, will be announced at a later date.
MTV has yet to announce the host of this year’s show or the recipients of the Video Vanguard and Global Icon awards (though they have verified that those awards will be presented). Last year’s show was co-hosted by LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow. Those top honorary awards were presented to Minaj and Red Hot Chili Peppers, respectively.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers of this year’s VMAs. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.
Burna Boy is the top nominee for the 2023 Headies Awards, which celebrates Pan-African and Afrobeats talent. Burna Boy received 10 nominations, including African artiste of the year, best Afrobeats album, best male artiste and song of the year.
Asake received eight nods. Rema, who collaborated on the global smash “Calm Down” with Selena Gomez, receive five nods, as did Omah Lay, Victony, Simi, Kizz Daniel and Pheelz each received five nods. Oxlade tallied four nods, while Ruger had three.
Drake, Future, Gomez, Don Toliver and Ed Sheeran are vying for international artist of the year at the show, which will be held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on Sept. 3. The show will be streamed live on YouTube (U.S.) and HipTV (Africa) Network.
Sean “Love” Combs is slated to receive an International Artiste Recognition award. Youssou N’dour will receive a Hall of Fame award.
Bayanni, Khaid, Guchi, Bloody Civilian, Odumodublvck and Eltee Skhillz are competing for rookie of the year. The winner will receive not only glory, but also also a solar-powered, two-bedroom, fully furnished house.
This is the 16th edition of the Headies Awards. In the past year, three major, all-genre music awards shows have introduced Afrobeats or African music categories. The American Music Awards were the first major music awards show to add such a category. They added favorite Afrobeats artist at the show that aired Nov. 20, 2022. Wizkid was the inaugural winner, beating Burna Boy, CKay, Fireboy DML and Tems.
The MTV Video Music Awards added a new category this year — best Afrobeats. The front-runner is Rema & Gomez’s “Calm Down,” which is nominated in two other categories, best song and best collaboration.
The Grammys added a similar category, best African music performance, this year (for the awards that will be presented on Feb. 4, 2024). Grammy nominations will be announced on Nov. 10.
The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, were established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.
This will mark the show’s second year at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. It was held in Lagos or Nigeria every year from 2006 to 2021 (except 2017 and 2020, when there was no ceremony).
“We are so excited that The Headies will return to American soil once again,” Ayo Animashaun, CEO and founder of the Headies Awards, said in a statement. “We know that Afrobeats connects people all around the globe, and this year’s event exemplifies and celebrates the power of our culture. The Headies will be an evening not only of dynamic talent, but also memorable moments that will resonate with audiences worldwide.”
The eligibility period is January 2022 to March 2023.
For more details on the 16th Annual Headies Awards, visit theheadies.com.
Here is the full list of nominations for the 2023 Headies Awards.
International Artiste Recognition
Sean “Love” Combs
Hall of Fame
Youssou N’dour
Special Recognition
Sound Sultan
International Artist of the Year
Drake
Future
Selena Gomez
Don Toliver
Ed Sheeran
Album of the Year
Love, Damini – Burna Boy
Mr Money With the Vibe – Asake
Rave And Roses – Rema
Boy Alone – Omah Lay
Outlaw – Victony
Timeless – Davido
Song of the Year
“Calm Down” – Rema
“Last Last” – Burna Boy
“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade
“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno
“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft. Bnxn
“Sungba Remix” – Asake Ft. Burna Boy
Best Female Artiste
Tems
Simi
Ayra Starr
Tiwa Savage
Best Male Artiste
Asake
Rema
Kizz Daniel
Ruger
Omah Lay
Burna Boy
Rookie of the Year
Bayanni
Khaid
Guchi
Bloody Civilian
Odumodublvck
Eltee Skhillz
Best Recording of the Year
“Alone” – Burna Boy
“Soweto” – Victony & Tempoe
“I’m A Mess” – Omah Lay
“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade
“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft. Sunday Service Choir
“No Woman, No Cry” – Tems
Producer of the Year
Magicsticks – “Sungba Remix” (Asake)
P.Prime, Tmxo & Pheelz – “Electricty” (Pheelz Ft Davido)
Andre Vibez & London – “Calm Down” (Rema)
Tempoe – “Soweto” (Victony & Tempoe)
Kel-P – “Kpe Paso” (Wande Coal & Olamide)
Rexxie – “Abracadabra” (Rexxie, Naira Marley, Skiibii & Wizkid)
Songwriter of the Year
Simi Kosoko, Godsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata – “Loyal” (Simi)
Stanley Didia, Adebajo Adebanjo – “I’m A Mess” (Omah Lay)
Tems, Ludwig Goransson, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ryan Coogler – “Lift Me Up” (Rihanna)
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Austin Jnr Iornongu Iwar, Peace Oredope, Ludwig Goransson – “Alone” (Burna Boy)
Daniel Benson “In My Mind” (Bnxn)
Fuayefika Maxwell – Earth Song (Wizard Chan)
Best R&B Single
“For My Hand” – Burna Boy Ft. Ed Sheeran
“Mmadu” – Ckay
“Just 4 U” – Dami Oniru
“Red Wine” – Preye
“Hard To Find” – Chike – Ft. Flavour
“Loyal” – Simi Ft. Fave
Best Rap Single
“Hustle” – Reminisce
“Big Energy” – Ladipoe
“Back In Uni” – Blaqbonez
“Bando Diaries” – Psychoyp
“Declan Rice” – Odumodublvck
“My Bro” – Jeriq Ft. Phyno
Best Alternative Song
“Earth Song” – Wizard Chan
“Final Champion” – Cruel Santino
“The Traveller” – Basketmouth Ft The Cavemen
“In A Loop” – Boj Ft Moliy & Mellissa
“Game Changer” (Dike) – Flavour
“Tinko Tinko” – Obongjayar
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Niniola – “Memories”
Simi – “Loyal”
Waje – “In Between“
Liya – “Adua Remix”
Preye – “Red Wine”
Dami Oniru – “Just 4 U”
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”
Ric Hassani – “My Only Baby”
Magixx – “Love Don’t Cost A Dime”
Chike – “Spell Remix”
Praiz – “Reckless”
Wande Coal – “Kpe Paso”
Best Music Video
Blaqbonez & Perliks – “Back In Uni” (Blaqbonez)
Tg Omori – “Pbuy” (Asake)
Director Pink– “Spell Remix” (Chike & Oxlade)
Tg Omori – “Bandana” (Fireboy & Asake)
Director K – “Common Person” (Burna Boy)
Director K – “Calm Down” (Rema)
Best Collaboration
Asake Ft. Burna Boy – “Sungba Remix”
Bnxn Ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – “Gwagwalada”
Pheelz Ft. Bnxn – “Finesse”
Spyro Ft. Tiwa Savage – “Who’s Your Guy Remix”
Pheelz Ft. Davido – “Electricity”
Wande Coal Ft. Olamide – “Kpe Paso”
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Rexxie Ft. Naira Marley & Skiibii – “Abracadabra”
Seyi Vibez – “Chance (Na Ham)”
Asake – “Joha”
Zlatan Ft. Young Jonn – “Astalavista”
Poco Lee & Hotkid – “Otilo”
Mohbad – “Peace”
Afrobeats Single of the Year
“Last Last” – Burna Boy
“Rush” – Ayra Starr
“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno
“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft Bnxn
“Who’s Your Guy?” – Spyro
“Asiwaju” – Ruger
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
Ruger – “Asiwaju”
Victony & Tempoe – “Soweto”
Fireboy Dml & Asake – “Bandana”
Ayra Star – “Rush”
Asake – “Terminator”
Mavins – “Overloading (Overdose)”
Crayon – “Ijo (Laba Laba)”
Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”
Kizz Daniel & Tekno – “Buga”
Pheelz & Davido – “Electricity”
Best West African Artiste of the Year
Gyakie (Ghana)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
The Therapist (Liberia)
Camidoh (Ghana)
Best East African Artiste of the Year
Zuchu
Diamond Platinumz
Rayvanny
Eddy Kenzo
Hewan Gebreworld
Best North African Artiste of the Year
Marwa Loud – Morocco
Wegz – Egypt
El Grande Toto – Morocco
Soolking – Algeria
Best Southern African Artiste of the Year
Aka (South Africa)
Nasty C – South Africa
Costa Titch – South Africa
Uncle Waffles – South Africa
Focalistic – South Africa
Dj Tarico – Mozambique
Best Central African Artiste of the Year
Fally Ipupa – Democratic Republic of Congo
Gaz Mawete – Democratic Republic of Congo
Matias Damasio – Angola
Emma’a – Gabon
Libianca – Cameroon
Best R&B Album
Home – Johnny Drille
The Brother’s Keeper – Chike
Reckless – Praiz
Waje 2.0 – Waje
Matter of Time – Dami Oniru
To Be Honest (Tbh) – Simi
Best Alternative Album
Horoscopes – Basketmouth
Gbagada Express – Boj
Some Nights I Dream of Doors – Obongjayar
Subaru Boys: Final Heaven – Cruel Santino
Heart of the Heavenly Undeniable – Somadina
Native World – Native Sound System
Best Rap Album
Fly Talk Only – Payper Corleone
Palmwine Music Vol 3 – Show Dem Camp
Young Preacher – Blaqbonez
Ypszn3 – Psychoyp
Teslim: The Energy Still Lives in Me – Vector
Billion Dollar Dream – Jeriq
Next Rated
Young Jonn
Seyi Vibez
Asake
Victony
Spyro
African Artiste of the Year
Rema (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Marwa Loud (Morocco)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Lyricist on the Roll
Ladipoe – “Clowns”
Vector – “Clowns”
Payper Corleone – “Fly Talk Only”
Alpha Ojini – “Vigilante Bop”
A-Q – “Family First”
Tec (Sdc) – “Live Life”
Best Inspirational Single
“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft Sunday Service Choir
“Jireh (My Provider)” – Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi Music
“This Year” – Victor Thompson & Ehis ‘D’ Greatest
“Eze Ebube” – Neon Adejo
“Tobechukwu” – Nathaniel Bassey And Mercy Chinwo
“I Get Backing” – Victoria Orenze
Digital Artiste of the Year
Burna Boy
Ayra Starr
Rema
Omah Lay
Kizz Daniel
Asake
At 20, Olivia Rodrigo has become the youngest artist receive a BRIT Billion Award by the BPI. The award celebrates artists who have reached one billion career U.K. streams, as calculated by the Official Charts Company. RAYE, 25, had been the youngest artist to receive the honor. Rodrigo was presented the award while in London […]
Jerry Moss, who died Wednesday (Aug. 16) at age 88, received many honors in his lifetime. He and Herb Alpert, his business partner and friend of more than six decades, received a Trustees Award from the Recording Academy in 1997. Nine years later, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (One […]
America may or may not have needed another country music awards show, but one more is on the way. The inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards is set for Thursday, Sept. 28, on NBC and Peacock. Nominations were announced on Wednesday (Aug. 16). As with every awards show, there are snubs and surprises in the nominations […]
BMI is set to present ZZ Top‘s Billy F Gibbons with the Troubadour Award on Monday, Sept. 18, during a private reception at BMI’s Nashville office.
While Gibbons is also known as a premier guitarist and entertainer through his musical accomplishments, including his work as part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band ZZ Top, this accolade honors his songwriting work, as a composer who has “made a profound impact on the creative community as their craft continues to set the pace for generations to follow,” according to a press release.
As the chief songwriter for ZZ Top, Gibbons’ writing credits include “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs,” “Cheap Sunglasses” and “La Grange,” the lead single from the band’s Tres Hombres album, which garnered them mainstream success 50 years ago.
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“With a career spanning several decades, Billy has penned an array of timeless hits that have left an indelible mark on the music industry,” Clay Bradley, BMI’s vp of creative, Nashville, said in a statement. “His ability to craft lyrics that resonate with audiences across generations is a testament to his songwriting prowess and he is the epitome of what the BMI Troubadour Award represents.”
Previous Troubadour Award recipients have included John Hiatt, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen and Lucinda Williams.
Over the years, ZZ Top earned two top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: “Legs” in 1984 and “Sleeping Bag” in 1985. The group also earned six No. 1 hits on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
In 2002, the album Sharp Dressed Man: A Tribute to ZZ Top reached No. 7 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart. The project featured covers from artists including Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson and Willie Nelson.
Morgan Wallen is the leading nominee for the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards, with 11 nods. Hosted by Little Big Town, the show will air live on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT simultaneously on NBC and Peacock from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
Wallen is trailed in the nominations count by Luke Combs and HARDY, with nine nods each; Jelly Roll, with eight; Lainey Wilson, with seven; Zach Bryan and Kane Brown with six each; and Megan Moroney, with five.
Wallen, Combs, Wilson, Bryan and Brown are each nominated for the top award, The People’s Artist of 2023, alongside Blake Shelton, Kelsea Ballerini and Old Dominion. The latter is the only group or duo nominated for the top award.
Ingrid Andress is a surprise nominee for The New Artist of 2023. She was nominated for the ACM Awards’ new female artist of the year award in February 2021 and the CMA Awards’ new artist of the year prize that September. Maybe they mean “new-ish.” The other nominees in the category are Jelly Roll, Bryan, Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman, Corey Kent, ERNEST and Priscilla Block.
In a bid to distinguish themselves from other country awards shows, the People’s Choice Country Awards have a few unique categories: The Crossover Song of 2023, The Concert Tour of 2023 and The Social Star of 2023. The latter category is among the most gender-balanced on the ballot, with four women vying with four men.
The crossover song category consists of pop/country collabs, which brought in such pop, alternative, dance and hip-hop stars as P!nk, Ed Sheeran, Bebe Rexha, Charlie Puth, Maggie Rogers, Diplo and Kodak Black.
Voting begins today and runs through Friday, Aug. 25 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Fans can vote online at votepcca.com. In an unusual twist, votes cast on Turbo Tuesday, Aug. 22 (midnight–11:59 p.m. ET) will count twice. Votes will be tabluted by third-party vendor Telescope. Complete rules can be found here.
Billed as “an award show for the people and by the people,” the People’s Choice Country Awards is produced by Den of Thieves with executive producers Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager and Barb Bialkowski. The show will also bestow several honorary awards. As previously announced, Toby Keith will receive the Country Music Icon Award, presented by Shelton.
The broadcast will extend across platforms with Backstage Live: People’s Choice Country Awards, which will feature red-carpet arrivals, backstage chats and behind-the-scenes coverage. The livestream will air on Peacock, PCA Twitter, NBC Twitter/Facebook/YouTube, TODAY All Day/Twitter, E! News Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/E!Online, Access Twitter/YouTube, and Circle TV Network and Circle social platforms.
A limited number of show tickets and VIP packages are available at Opry.com.
Here’s the complete list of nominations for the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards.
The People’s Artist of 2023
Blake Shelton
Kane Brown
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Old Dominion
Zach Bryan
The Male Artist of 2023
Bailey Zimmerman
Blake Shelton
HARDY
Jelly Roll
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Zach Bryan
The Female Artist of 2023
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Elle King
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert
The Group/Duo of 2023
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Lady A
Little Big Town
Maddie & Tae
Old Dominion
Parmalee
The War and Treaty
The New Artist of 2023
Bailey Zimmerman
Corey Kent
ERNEST
Ingrid Andress
Jelly Roll
Megan Moroney
Priscilla Block
Zach Bryan
The Album of 2023
Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson
Different Man – Kane Brown
Gettin’ Old – Luke Combs
One Thing at a Time – Morgan Wallen
Religiously. The Album. – Bailey Zimmerman
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat – Kelsea Ballerini
the mockingbird & THE CROW – HARDY
Whitsitt Chapel – Jelly Roll
The Song of 2023
“Fast Car” – Luke Combs; Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
“Last Night” – Morgan Wallen; Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak
“Love You Anyway” – Luke Combs; Songwriters: Dan Isbell, Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher
“Need a Favor” – Jelly Roll; Songwriters: Austin Nivarel, Jason DeFord/Jelly Roll, Joe Ragosta, Rob Ragosta
“Tennessee Orange” – Megan Moroney; Songwriters: Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins
“Thank God” – Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown; Songwriters: Christian Stalnecker, Jared Mullins, Jaxson Free, Josh Hoge, Kyle Fishman
“Thinkin’ Bout Me” – Morgan Wallen; Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak, Taylor Phillips
“wait in the truck” – HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy, Renee Blair
The Collaboration Song of 2023
“Beer With My Friends” – Kenny Chesney & Old Dominion; Songwriters: Bryan Simpson, David Lee Murphy, Shy Carter
“Cowgirls” – Morgan Wallen feat. ERNEST; Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Ernest Keith Smith, James Maddocks, Milan Modi, Rocky Block, Ryan Vojtesak
“red” – HARDY feat. Morgan Wallen; Songwriters: Michael Hardy, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Jacob Rice
“Save Me” – Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: David Ray, Jason DeFord/Jelly Roll
“Thank God” – Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown; Songwriters: Christian Stalnecker, Jared Mullins, Jaxson Free, Josh Hoge, Kyle Fishman
“wait in the truck” – HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy, Renee Blair
“We Don’t Fight Anymore” – Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton; Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Carly Pearce, Pete Good
“You, Me, and Whiskey” – Justin Moore, Priscilla Block; Songwriters: Brock Berryhill, Jessi Alexander, Cole Taylor
The Crossover Song of 2023
“Dawns” – Zach Bryan feat. Maggie Rogers; Songwriters: Maggie Rogers, Zachary Lane Bryan
“Just Say I’m Sorry” – P!nk, Chris Stapleton; Songwriters: Alecia Moore, Chris Stapleton
“Life Goes On” – Ed Sheeran feat. Luke Combs; Songwriter: Ed Sheeran
“Seasons” – Bebe Rexha, Dolly Parton; Songwriters: Bebe Rexha, Ido Zmishlany, Sarah Solovay
“Texas” – Jessie Murph feat. Maren Morris; Songwriters: Alex Niceforo, Amy Allen, Jessie Murph, Warren “Oak” Felder
“That’s Not How This Works” – Charlie Puth feat. Dan + Shay; Songwriters: Jordan Reynolds, Charlie Puth, Dan Smyers
“UNHEALTHY” – Anne-Marie feat. Shania Twain; Songwriters: Anne-Marie Nicholson, CASTLE, Connor McDonough, Riley McDonough
“Wasted” – Diplo feat. Kodak Black & Koe Wetzel; Songwriters: Bill K. Kapri, Richard Cook Mears IV, Ropyr Wetzel, Thomas Wesley Pentz
The Music Video of 2023
“In Your Love” – Tyler Childers
“Need a Favor” – Jelly Roll
“Tennessee Orange” – Megan Moroney
“Thank God” – Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown
“Thought You Should Know” – Morgan Wallen
“wait in the truck” – HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson
“Where We Started” – Thomas Rhett, Katy Perry
“You Proof” – Morgan Wallen
The Concert Tour of 2023
Blake Shelton: Back to the Honky Tonk Tour
Carrie Underwood: Denim & Rhinestones Tour
Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show Tour
Kenny Chesney: I Go Back 2023 Tour
Luke Combs World Tour
Morgan Wallen: One Night at a Time World Tour
Shania Twain: Queen of Me Tour
Zach Bryan: The Burn, Burn, Burn Tour
The Social Country Star of 2023
Bailey Zimmerman
Blake Shelton
Carrie Underwood
Dolly Parton
Kelsea Ballerini
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Shania Twain