Miranda Lambert to Receive Country Icon Award at 2024 People's Choice Country Awards

The award was previously given to the late Toby Keith during the inaugural 2023 People's Choice Country Awards

Miranda Lambert attend the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards at Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Miranda Lambert attend the ACM Awards at Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas. Photo:

Ayisha Collins/FilmMagic

Miranda Lambert has officially reached icon status!

The country music star, 40, will be honored with the country icon award at the 2024 People's Choice Country Awards, set to be hosted by Shania Twain and air live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Thursday, Sept. 26.

According to a press release shared with PEOPLE, Lambert will recieve the award due to her decades-long career, in which she’s "built an authentic, female-forward brand of country that has shaped the industry."

"A tour de force in country music for more than 20 years, Miranda Lambert’s groundbreaking albums continue to capture the hearts of fans around the world. We’re so excited to celebrate her career, fierce individualism and innovation in the industry with the Country Icon Award," said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment in a statement.

Miranda Lambert performs on stage during the 2024 Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame show at ACL Live on February 24, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
Miranda Lambert performs on stage during the 2024 Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame show at ACL Live on February 24, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

Rick Kern/Getty 

Earlier this month, Lambert opened up about how she's embraced being a mentor for younger artists during an appearance on Bunnie Xo's Dumb Blonde podcast.

"Since I don't have children of my own, I want to use that part of what I've learned for younger generations, especially of artists because nobody tells you how this goes," said Lambert.

"Nobody sits there and gives you a handbook of, like, 'Well, when you make it to this level, this is what's gonna happen,'" she continued. "Just seeing the fire in the eyes of someone just starting out, it reignites your fire."

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Miranda Lambert performs onstage at rehearsals for the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards
Miranda Lambert performs onstage at rehearsals for the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards from the Ford Center at The Star on May 15, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.

Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

While its been nearly two decades since the release of Lambert's debut studio album, Kerosene, the musician has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

Lambert announced in July that her next album, a 14-track project titled Postcards From Texas, will be released on Sept. 13.

As for what fans can expect from the upcoming release, Lambert previously told PEOPLE that it is "very country."

"I made this record in Texas. I hadn't made an album in Texas since I was 18. I went down to Arlyn Studios in Austin, and Jon Randall, who's my bestie and co-writer and co-producer, we worked together a lot," she told PEOPLE at the Lone River Collective event in Frisco, Texas, in May.

Miranda Lambert attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Miranda Lambert attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

John Shearer/Getty

"Just going home to Texas to make it felt really right for this new season and this new chapter," continued Lambert. "I signed with Republic Records ... and this new team has just given me so much fire and inspiration, because it's all about the music with them."

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The 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards will air live on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT across NBC and Peacock from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

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