For 2023, Billboard has introduced the Country Power Players’ Choice Award, a peer-voted accolade chosen by Billboard Pro members to honor the executive they believe has made the most impact across the country music business over the past year. Across three rounds of voting, Billboard Pro members have chosen Seth England, partner and CEO of Big Loud, for the inaugural award.

As a label head, England has helped lead the careers of Morgan Wallen, ­HARDY, ERNEST and Hailey Whitters (in partnership with Songs & Daughters). Wallen, whom England also manages, followed his 2021 record-breaking album, Dangerous: The Double Album, with One Thing at a Time, which has spent 12 weeks atop the Billboard 200. HARDY and ERNEST are opening for Wallen’s One Night at a Time international tour.

“I’m honored by this recognition. For this award to be peer-voted means more than I can say,” says England, who is also an honoree on Billboard’s 2023 Country Power Players list. “To my partners Craig [Wiseman] and Joey [Moi], and the unmatched staff across Big Loud, if this is for me, it’s for all of us. I’d like to say thank you to my support at home — my wife and son, Rakiyah and Theo, my amazing family.”