People's Choice Country Awards, ranking all performances

Brad Paisley debuted a new song while also recalling one of his own previous hits. He debuted with “Truck Still Works,” which features Paisley's 2004 hit “Mud on the Tires.” Paisley began his set with a snippet of “Mud on the Tires,” accompanying himself on acoustic guitar before his band joined in with full-fledged guitar, drums and violin. “Truck Still Works” recalls the wanderings of younger generations on muddy trails under the moonlight and challenges a lover to see if he can “find the place we used to know,” adding, “With any luck, we’ll stay maybe stuck again.” ” Paisley's voice was in good shape, as was his guitar playing, while lyrically and sonically it felt like a throwback to his previous radio hit – a quality that appealed to some fans who have long been waiting for new music from Paisley , may or may not be appealing.

mgk (Machine Gun Kelly) has been making inroads into country lately, but he was a big hit on Thursday night when he closed out the show with a performance of “Lonely Road” without his collaborator Jelly Roll. mgk looked like a rock star and handled the song (which has a country twist and includes John Denver's “Take Me Home, Country Roads”) with ease. However, a real stage duet with Jelly Roll would have made this performance over the top, as both are intense artists and their friendship and mutual respect as artists also shines through on stage.

“Lonely Road” was also named Crossover Song of 2024 during the show, while mgk also took home Cover Song of 2024 with his rendition of Zach Bryan’s “Sun to Me.” Jelly Roll and mgk, both known for their ability to seamlessly transition between genres, previously performed the song together at Nashville's CMA Fest at Spotify House this year.

Over the last decade, Brown has achieved 11 Billboard Country Airplay chart-toppers and played to large crowds on sold-out headlining tours (including becoming the first artist to play all 29 NBA arenas), all while giving something to others returned.

He was honored with this year's Country Champion trophy (the video clip for his collaboration with Marshmello, “Miles on It”, received the award for the music video of 2024). Brown also gave an energetic performance at the opening of this year's PCCAs. Dressed in a black fringed jacket and sunglasses, Brown celebrated his musical journey and countless influences with a performance of the hard-hitting “Fiddle in the Band.”

“I took a trip to Music City/Bringed a little bit of everything,” he sang in his distinctly warm, conversational voice, coolly sauntering across the stage as his band offered up fast-paced rock guitars and, of course, plenty of blistering violin.

In jeans, a suit jacket and a cowboy hat, the Texas native McCollum presented his new song “What Kinda Man”. He stayed close to the microphone in the middle of the stage, swinging his guitar as he launched into his signature drawl, bringing plenty of honkytonk twang to his performance.

The stage was filled with sunflowers as Ballerini performed her new song “Two Things” from her upcoming October release Pattern. She paced the stage, expounding on the ups and downs of a relationship, punctuating the lyrics with images of sunflowers and Hemingway poems, familiar blue jeans and plane rides that led to conciliatory love fests.

“I'll be your best day and your worst day,” she sang as she shines in this blend of silky pop melodies and soulful lyricism.

Texas native Miranda Lambert was honored as this year's Country Icons honoree, and during the show she powerfully reminded the audience why she has become a groundbreaking artist, fearless songwriter and outstanding performer. She was the star of her fiery 2005 song “Kerosene” before proving her self-determined ways are as strong as ever with the defiant “Dammit Randy” from her new album Postcards from Texas.

Trio Lady A performed a rendition of the 1981 Stevie Nicks/Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers collaboration “Stop Draggin' My Heart Around,” spotlighting their pitch-perfect harmonies. The trio's Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott captured the passion, angst and emotional tug-of-war in this rock classic, enhanced by the steady harmonies and musicianship of bandmate Dave Haywood. They recorded the song as part of the current tribute album Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration by Tom Petty.

Married duo The War and Treaty have graced the stages of numerous awards shows and other high-profile events, regularly earning standing ovations and becoming known as reliably stunning artists who combine elements of country, folk, soul and gospel. The PCCAs were no exception. Michael Trotter Jr. walked up an aisle of the Grand Ole Opry House and took the stage to join a backing choir for the sensual, romantic and gospel music-infused tribute “Can I Get an Amen.” He was then joined by his musical partner and wife Tanya Trotter, and together they delivered what was certainly one of the most powerful vocal performances of the evening. They tossed the melodies back and forth with uncanny ease before intertwining their nimble, octave-hopping voices into an epitome of unparalleled vocal power.

Sitting alone, with only his guitar and soft backlighting, Keith Urban once again demonstrated his outstanding musical talent with the slow-burning, sultry and yearning “Messed Up as Me.” Live performances are one of Urban's musical strengths, as he has always managed to connect with the audience, whether playing with a full band or playing alone. During the show, he showed why he needs little more than his trusty musical ax and his nimble, robust vocals to deliver a song with passion.