On June 4, Billboard’s annual Country Power Players Awards ceremony was held at Category 10 in downtown Nashville, which celebrated the top executives, rising artists, and impact makers in country music. The event was hosted by Reyna Roberts, and featured an opening performance by Latin artist Carín León. A host of country superstars were on hand to present and receive awards, including Ronnie Dunn presenting Riley Green with the Groundbreaker Award, Shaboozey giving BigXthaPlug the Innovator Award, and Lainey Wilson honoring Ella Langley with the Rising Star Award. Songwriters Hall of Fame member Liz Rose presented Little Big Town with the inaugural Ben Vaughn Song Champion Award, named after the late Warner Chappell Nashville leader, who passed away earlier this year. Little Big Town then paid tribute to Vaughn with a moving performance of “Rich Man.” Stacy Vee was honored as Executive of the Year during a surprise appearance by Garth Brooks, who recognized her work on the Stagecoach Country Music Festival, while Music Health Alliance founder Tatum Allsep received the Impact Award from Brothers Osborne. (Billboard)
