PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED FOR FIRST PEOPLE'S CHOICE COUNTRY AWARDS

Matt Case - September 15th 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The debut People's Choice Country Awards is set to showcase a notable array of country stars at the Grand Ole Opry House on Sept. 28. Performers for the evening include Carly Pearce, Toby Keith, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Blake Shelton, Dan + Shay, Hardy, Kelsea Ballerini, and Wynonna Judd. Little Big Town is slated to both emcee and perform.

Notably, the awards will mark a rare appearance by Toby Keith, who has largely remained out of public view over the past year due to a stomach cancer diagnosis. In June, Keith informed supporters of his improved health after six months of therapy, expressing optimism about returning to the tour circuit this fall. Shelton, a fellow Oklahoman, will present the Country Music Icon award to Keith during the event.

Toby Keith onstage at the 2022 BMI Awards in Nashville. The country star has been battling cancer since fall 2021.JASON KEMPIN/GETTY IMAGES FOR BMI

The upcoming performance by Wynonna Judd will offer fans a preview of her anticipated solo tour. Following the close of the Judds: The Final Tour, a tribute to her late mother and musical collaborator, Naomi Judd, Wynonna is set to kick off the Back to Wy Tour in October. Additionally, Judd is to be honored with this year's Country Champion award.

Distinctive for its fan-based voting system, the awards show — an offshoot of the People's Choice Awards — saw Morgan Wallen leading the nominations with 11 nods. Luke Combs and Hardy each earned nine nominations, while Jelly Roll is up for eight awards. The voting period concluded on Aug. 25.

NBC and Peacock will broadcast the inaugural People's Choice Country Awards on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 8PM ET.