The first winner for the People’s Choice Country Awards has been revealed! The inaugural trophy of the night, presented by Lady A, for Female Artist of 2023 went to to Lainey Wilson.

“My heart is about to beat out of my chest, and I know a lot of it has to do with this award, but a lot of it has to do with standing on this Opry stage,” Wilson said. “Every single time I get to stand on this stage, I feel overwhelmed. I feel honored and humbled and I feel like I got some very big shoes to fill … This year, we have played every kind of show you can imagine. We have played clubs, we have played stadiums with Luke Combs. You name it, we have played it.

“And every single night I look out there, and I see a lot of y’all wearing your bell bottoms and hats,” she continued. “It’s the craziest thing, and I just want to say, thank y’all so much for letting me express myself through my music, and even the way that I dress. I love seeing y’all do the exact same thing. Y’all keep showing up, and I’ll keep showing up too. God bless y’all. Thank you.”

Wilson is the most nominated artist heading into the 2023 CMA Awards, which take place in November. The “Watermelon Moonshine” singer is nominated for nine trophies, including the night’s highest honor, Entertainer of the Year.

“Holy moly y’all. Someone pinch me,” Wilson said when the CMA Awards nominations were announced. “I can’t believe my eyes. I’m so proud of everything we’ve done this year for my own music and these collabs with my brothers HARDY and Jelly Roll. Thank y’all for having me on these songs  Being nominated in each of these categories amongst my friends means the world to me.

“And the coveted Entertainer Of The Year category?! It’s absolutely surreal,” she continued. “We bust our butts out there on the road every dang night to give y’all the best show possible and I have the time of my life doing it.  All I gotta say is thank y’all.  I love country music.”

Wilson, who went into the People’s Choice Country Awards with seven nominations, shared the Female Artist of 2023 category with Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Elle King, Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney and Miranda Lambert.