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LoneRiver2024

The best moments from Billboard’s Country Power Players 2024 featuring some of the biggest country stars like Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey, The War and Treaty and more!

Tetris KellyLainey Wilson

Lainey WilsonWomen deserve a spot and country music and we got a side of the story too, and it’s a good one

Tetris KellyNate Smith.

Nate SmithThis is a dream come true guys. I am so honored to be your Rookie of the Year.

Tetris KellyAnd more were celebrated and Billboard’s country power players.

Tetris KellyShakers and makers from country music gathered at Gilley’s, Dallas and Texas for a night to remember the event honored both musicians and execs including Rookie of the Year Nate Smith, Groundbreaker recipient, The War and Treaty and Executive of the Years said, Seth England.

Seth EnglandI want to thank Mercury and Republic for being such a great distro partner, and Billboard magazine for constantly supporting country music, and its artists.

Katie Beale BrownLone River founder Katie Beale Brown was also there to share a few words ahead of the presentation for Laniney Wilson, this year’s record breaker, which was presented by Lone River Ranch Water. Tonight,

Katie Beale BrownWe get to honor a woman who knows a little something about celebrating where she comes from. She has inspired millions of people on her whirlwind World Tour.

Kelsea BallerinaKelsea Ballerini brought the feels and she introduced Wilson at the podium.

Kelsea BalleriniLainey is a country girl, a girl’s girl, a good friend, a good woman.

Lainey WilsonTo me being a record breaker is the ultimate honor. It signifies the blood sweat and tears I have put

Tetris KellyThe night wasn’t just filled with acceptance speeches, but attendees also got their music fix when Wilson performed an intimate set they sipped on Lone River award winning Ranch Water and Ranch Rita drinks.

Tetris KellyFor more on Billboard’s Country Power Players even head over to billboard.com

The Lone River founder helped set the stage for Lainey Wilson, the honoree for the Record Breaker Award presented by Lone River Ranch Water at Billboard’s Country Power Players 2024. Katie Beale Brown: Welcome to Texas. I am the founder of Lone River makers of Ranch Water and Ranch Rita, which I hope you’re drinking […]

Country music tastemakers united in Dallas for the second annual Billboard Country Live and all eyes were on Lainey Wilson as the country titan accepted the Record Breaker award presented by Lone River.

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At the evening event, which took place on Tuesday, May 14, at Gilley’s Dallas, notable names preceded Wilson’s appearance at the podium, including Lone River founder Katie Beal Brown, who had a few words to share with the crowd. “Tonight, we get to honor a woman who knows a little something about celebrating where she comes from,” she said, adding, “She has inspired millions of people on her whirlwind world tour and I am so lucky to call her a friend.” 

Following Brown was none other than Kelsea Ballerini, who stood before the audience to speak about Wilson’s impact both personally and professionally. “Lainey is a country girl, a girl’s girl, a good friend, a good woman,” she gushed in front of the live audience. Afterward, the “Wildflowers” singer accepted the accolade saying, “The word that I keep thinking of when I think about these last few years is whirlwind because that’s what it’s been. The love and support that I’ve received from all of y’all is the thing that has just kept me going and kept me grounded and kept me feeling right at home even when I was a really long ways away from home.”

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“As a woman in country music, I am so grateful to the woman who have came before me and paved the way for artists like me. It’s crazy when I think that I get to call Dolly [Parton] a friend now and get to call Wynona [Judd] a friend,” she continued. “Women deserve a spot in country music and we gotta side of the story, too, and it’s a good one.”

In addition to her appearance at the ceremony, Wilson also performed an intimate set, including her 2022 hit, “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”

2023 was a busy year for the Nashville-based artist after her quick ascent to fame from being a local staple. Her second album, Bell Bottom Country, earned her a Grammy in the Best Country Album category, as well as a record breaking nine nominations and five wins at the CMA Awards. Between performances all over the United States, as well as international shows, Wilson has also been able to balance an acting career as a lead cast member in the Paramount hit series, Yellowstone. 

Wilson’s impact on the Billboard charts demonstrates how she is one of the recent trailblazers among woman-fronted country acts. In the upcoming months, she shows no signs of stopping her busy streak and is expected to continue touring through November 2024 with her band.

Additional honorees for this year’s Billboard Country Live ceremony included Rookie of the Year Nate Smith, Groundbreaker The War & Treaty, Executive of the Year Seth England and more. Click here to catch up on more highlights from the event!

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell

Photo Credit: Catherine Powell