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The 2024 People’s Choice CountryAwards, which should have been a night of celebration for country music’s biggest stars, instead left audiences scratching their heads.
What should have been a thrilling event was marked by a glaring issue—an attendance problem.
Keep on reading for more details!
What Actually Happened?
A significant number of winners were nowhere to be found, resulting in a rushed “prize dump” at the end of the show where multiple awards were announced in quick succession.
This wasn’t just a minor oversight but a glaring reflection of a deeper issue plaguing country music’s awards shows.
In one of the most surprising moments of the night, thePeople’s Artist of 2024award, arguably the most coveted prize of the evening, was not even included in the program.
Out of the eight nominees, only one—Kane Brown—was present. His attendance was the exception, not the rule.
Could you imagine something as prestigious asEntertainer of the Yearbeing reduced to a footnote in another awards show? That’s essentially what happened here.
The situation was further exacerbated by the absence of numerous nominees and performers.
WhileShania Twaintook onhostingduties, and performers likeKeith Urban,Brad Paisley, andKelsea Ballerinidelivered standout performances, it wasn’t enough to fill the void left by the absent stars.
Big names likeMorgan Wallen,Luke Combs, andBeyoncéwere among the night’s biggest winners, but none of them were present to accept their awards, and for various reasons, neither were many others.
Why So Many No-Shows?
The reasons behind the no-shows varied. Some had legitimate scheduling conflicts, while others seemed to prioritize personal commitments.
Jelly Roll, for instance, was performing in Boston as part of hisBeautifully Broken Tour, whichexplainshis absence.
Kacey Musgraveswas busy on herDeeper Well Tour, andLainey Wilsonwas on tour in Vancouver, making it impossible for her to attend.
Similarly,Megan Moroneywas performing in Europe, andChris Stapletonhad to prepare for an early-morning concert on NBC’sTodayshow.
Others, however, appeared to have simply opted out.Morgan Wallen, who wrapped up his tour days before the event, didn’t attend despite winningPeople’s ArtistandConcert Tour of 2024.
Zach Bryan, another notable absentee, didn’t give a reason for his absence, but his decision raised eyebrows given that he skipped last year’s event as well.
Post Malonewas spotted at an NFL game in New Jersey, casually watching theDallas CowboysversusNew York Giantsgame.
And despite releasing one of the biggest love songs of the year alongsideCarrie Underwood,Cody Johnsonmissed the opportunity to perform or attend the event, even though he didn’t have any scheduled tour dates.
Carrie and Cody’s song
This widespread absence of top-tier talent, especially those nominated for multiple awards, led to a somewhat deflating experience for both the audience and those watching from home.
The Bigger Issue: Awards Show Fatigue?
What happened at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards points to a larger, long-standing issue in country music—awards show fatigue.
There are currently four major awards shows in country music: theCMA Awards, theACM Awards, theCMT Music Awards, and now thePeople’s Choice Country Awards.
With so many events vying for attention, it’s easy to understand why artists may not feel compelled to attend every single one.
It’s a lot to ask artists to repeatedly clear their schedules, especially during busy tour seasons, for multiple awards shows in a single year.
Some fans argue that one of these shows—perhaps the PCCAs—may be one too many. After all, if artists and nominees aren’t prioritizing the event, it becomes difficult for fans to remain engaged.
In 2024, the People’s Choice Country Awards became more of a side note than a highlight of the country music calendar.
Who Skipped and Why
Let’s break down some of the key absentees and why they weren’t at the awards:
Artist
Reason for Absence
Jelly Roll
Busy with hisBeautifully Broken Tourand had a performance in Boston on the night of the awards.
Beyoncé
Despite being heavily nominated, she hasn’t participated in country events since her album’s release.
Morgan Wallen
Fresh off his tour, but surprisingly absent despite being a big winner.
Zach Bryan
Skipped the event without explanation, continuing a trend from last year.
Kacey Musgraves
On tour on the West Coast, making attendance logistically difficult.
Post Malone
Attended an NFL game instead of the awards show, prioritizing other engagements.
Cody Johnson
No conflicting tour dates, but skipped the show despite his high-profile release with Carrie Underwood.
Lainey Wilson
Touring in Vancouver, making it impossible for her to attend.
Luke Combs
Took time off to prioritize family, with no scheduled tour dates until October.
Megan Moroney
Performing in Europe, creating a logistical conflict for attending.
Jason Aldean
Nominated in three categories, but had no scheduled tour stop or major reason for skipping the event.
Chris Stapleton
Preparing for a performance in New York City the following morning.
Kenny Chesney
Tour is finished, but is known for avoiding awards shows unless absolutely necessary.
2024 People’s Choice Country Awards
A Defining Moment for Future Awards Shows?
The absence of so many stars highlights a potential turning point for country music awards shows.
If the industry doesn’t address the growing apathy of artists, the relevance and importance of these events may diminish.
Artists’ schedules, fan engagement, and the sheer number of awards shows are all factors that must be considered.
For now, the People’s Choice Country Awards in 2024 will likely be remembered more for who didn’t attend than for who won.
Moving forward, it’s worth asking: will artists and fans continue to support four major awards shows, or is it time to streamline the way the country music industry honors its stars?
Last Updated: September 28, 2024
