Country powerhouse Kane Brown set the stage on fire as he kicked off the People’s Choice Country Awards with a heart-pounding performance of “Fiddle in the Band.”

Kane Brown is a true digital-age success story in country music. After building up a following on social media, the Chattanooga, Tennessee-born artist released his self-titled studio debut in 2016. Eight years later, Brown celebrated his 11th No. 1 country hit, “I Can Feel It.” And on Thursday (Sept. 26), the People’s Choice Country Awards is set to recognize Brown’s success by bestowing upon him the Country Champion Award.

Shania Twain Hosts Second Annual People’s Choice Country Awards

In March 2023, NBC announced the People’s Choice Country Awards, a spin-off from the network’s long-running People’s Choice Awards. The awards show returned Thursday (Sept. 26) to honor Nashville’s most beloved artists for the second straight year. Country-pop queen Shania Twain hosted the ceremony from the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

The night saw a star-studded lineup of performers, including Kane Brown, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert. Brown, 30, kicked off the night with his song “Fiddle in the Band.”

Kane Brown Is a Country Music Champion

In addition to performing, Kane Brown scored an impressive 11 nods, including one for The People’s Artist of 2024. He also received the Country Champion Award, which “recognizes an artist’s passion for service and groundbreaking contributions to the country music industry and beyond.”

“Don’t listen to people that tell you no when you’re trying to do something,” Brown said during his acceptance speech.

Jen Neal, NBCUniversal’s executive vice president of live events and specials, called Brown “nothing short of inspiring.”

“Since the beginning of his career, Kane Brown has ensured that his legacy will extend beyond music,” she said.

In 2017, the “Miles On It” hitmaker became the first-ever artist to lead all five of Billboard’s main country charts simultaneously. But he didn’t land the Country Champion Award through his staggering chart success alone.

In 2022, Brown received the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Champion of Youth Award. The five-time CMT Award winner has made various donations to the organization, even dedicating proceeds from his 2020 single “Worldwide Beautiful” to raising funds for the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Brown is in good company, as the incomparable Wynonna Judd received the inaugural Country Champion Award in 2023.