The second annual Folks’s Alternative Nation Awards was held on the historic Grand Ole Opry final night time (Sept. 26), the place the nation music neighborhood gathered to rejoice the style’s favourite individuals: the followers.

Host Shania Twain got here down from the rafters on a pink coronary heart with to begin off the electrical night time. Because the nation legend was descending with “Man! I Really feel Like A Girls” enjoying within the background, followers and different nation stars in attendance have been on their toes for the primary of many occasions all through the night time.

Instantly after hitting the bottom, Twain welcomed Kane Brown for the primary efficiency of the night. Brown got here out with excessive power to carry out his present single “Fiddle In The Band.” After the hostess reappeared for a number of opening remarks, it was already time for the primary award of the night time.

Nashville native and comic Nate Bargatze offered the award for The New Artist Of 2024 to Shaboozey, marking his first of two trophies in the course of the night time. “I by no means thought I’d be up on the Grand Ole Opry stage accepting one thing like this,” he shared on the podium.

Woman A then took the stage for a fiery rendition of Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks’ “Cease Dragging My Coronary heart Round,” which the trio recorded for the Petty Nation: A Nation Music Celebration of Tom Petty album.

Twain was welcomed again to the stage, this time sporting her iconic all black look. She welcomed out Ashley Cooke and WWE champion Cody Rhodes to current The Group/Duo of 2024.

When Dan + Shay have been accepting their trophy, they shared, “this has been one of the best yr of our profession. We’ve been out on the highway all yr attending to play for and hug our followers, and we’re so grateful.”

Buzzing with anticipation, the leisure began again up with Keith City enjoying his present single “Messed Up As Me” solo. After City fired the place up by shredding the guitar and displaying off his vocals, Carly Pearce appeared to current The Crossover Music of 2024.

The award went to “Lonely Street” by MGK and Jelly Roll. Since Jelly Roll is at present out on his “Fantastically Damaged Tour,” MGK accepted the award for each of them. “Thanks to the John Denver property for trusting us with this one. I really like you Jelly!”

With no indicators of the present slowing down anytime quickly, it was time for one of many night time’s highest honor. Parker McCollum started the presentation of the Nation Icon Award to celebrity Miranda Lambert. McCollum identified Lambert’s unimaginable expertise, longevity and affect within the style, in addition to her huge coronary heart off stage. After a video montage of Lambert’s profession from the start to now, the icon took the stage to carry out “Kerosene” and “Dammit Randy,” and proved precisely why she deserved the crown.

“It’s been numerous years, tears, beers and Tito’s,” Lambert shared. “I really feel like I’ve been in a position to make so many nice reminiscences in my life and profession due to the followers. Y’all maintain creating all these years, 20 years later.”

Maintaining the feminine energy going, Kelsea Ballerini took the stage to carry out her latest music “Two Issues” in a “discipline” of sunflowers, finally having the set swap mid-song to a metropolis again drop. The night time’s host then handed out the trophy for The Feminine Music of 2024, which was offered to Dasha‘s “Austin (Boots Cease Workin’).”

“Nation music has simply opened its arms to me. Thanks for that,” she famous in her speech. The Struggle And Treaty have been welcomed to the stage after and introduced the Grand Ole Opry crowd to church with “Can I Get An Amen,” that includes a complete choir. The duo acquired a rowdy standing ovation after their powerhouse efficiency.

Bailey Zimmerman started the night time’s celebration for Kane Brown, who was chosen as this yr’s Nation Champion Award recipient. Zimmerman famous that Brown “provides again not for headlines or pats on the again [but because he’s] at all times there doing the suitable factor.”

Whereas accepting the distinction, Brown acknowledged, “I simply need to say for any child that’s watching, anyone that has a dream, anyone that desires to offer again…there’s lots of people that want your assist. Don’t take heed to folks that inform you no once you’re making an attempt to do one thing.”

With two guitars in hand, it was time for Brad Paisley to debut his model new music, “Truck Nonetheless Works” with a mashup of 2005 hit “Mud On The Tires.” Paisley spent the primary half of the efficiency along with his acoustic guitar after which spent the remainder of the time displaying off his abilities on the electrical.

Maintaining the performances going, McCollum then took the stage once more to play his present single “What Kinda Man,” the place he stood within the coveted Opry circle for the traditional nation sounding music. Shaboozey and Dasha then got here out onto the stage to current the ultimate award of the night time, The Group/Duo Music of 2024.

Outdated Dominion took dwelling the final televised trophy for “Completely different About You” off their Reminiscence Lane venture. The group thanked the followers for voting for a deep lower on their album.

With the night time winding down and followers nonetheless buzzing from anticipation contained in the Opry, the stage was ready for MGK’s efficiency. Set to appear to be a two lane nation highway, MGK stood within the middle and went into Denver’s “Take Me Residence” earlier than transitioning into his now-award-winning collaboration “Lonely Street.” After the gorgeous efficiency, he ran over to Twain and the 2 closed the night time off collectively.