So, the Nisman family flew from Florida to Canada for a 7-day "Moose Hunt" trip. We drove up through Ontario, stopped at the CN Tower in Toronto where we found a wooden moose in the gift shop and counted it as progress. We pulled off in the city of Bracebridge and took photos at Moose FM radio (99.5 on your dial, “Muskoka’s Best Music”) because at that point we were committed to the ‘bit’. My daughter wasn’t thrilled and perhaps overly embarrassed when I opened the glass door to a random business that hosted the station’s headquarters. We even made a pit stop at Niagara Falls when the kids spotted a rest stop food court called The Hungry Moose, which felt like a sign from the universe.
Then on Day 7, the Nismans drove nearly three and a half hours into Algonquin Provincial Park through about fifty kilometers of moose crossing signs, scanning every marsh and roadside pond we passed. We found zero moose. At the three-and-a-half-hour mark, with the sun going down and the driver running low on patience, we turned around and made the exact same drive home. No moose. Great memories. That is fatherhood: you put in the full effort, you enjoy the ride, and you learn to celebrate what you find along the way even when the moose evades you.
This Father's Day weekend also has me thinking about all the dads in our business who are out on the road right now. Those artists, agents, promoters, talent buyers, all of them figuring out how to keep two worlds running at once. The live entertainment industry does not take weekends off, and neither do the people who power it. Especially on the heels of the 4th of July events dubbed ID250, Freedom Fest, Red White and Boom, Independence Day Fest, or whatever other derivative, dads will be on stage, backstage, putting up, pulling down, and pushing gear and stages around the world on the heels of this Father's Day weekend.
There was also a strong week of touring news to come home to, a major festival that wrapped up after a rocky 2025, an industry milestone worth knowing about, and plenty of buzzing artists that I want to talk through. Let's get into it.
Dierks Bentley, one of my favorite acts to work with, launched the Off the Map Tour this past week with opening nights in Rogers, Arkansas and Kansas City, Missouri. He spent the first part of 2026 doing stadium dates with Luke Combs before stepping back into headliner mode for this more intimate amphitheater run. The tour is named after the track Off the Map from his Broken Branches album, and the show is built to match that spirit: hits like What Was I Thinkin, 5-1-5-0, and Free and Easy anchoring the set alongside a cover of Alabama's Mountain Music, and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs joining him on stage to duet on Highway 40 Blues.
I love a collaboration between a country headliner and a bluegrass icon, which just isn't something you see on most touring bills. The Off the Map Tour continues through July 18 in St. Augustine, Florida. You should catch a show if he's touring through your area. We had Dierks headline the first (and still only!) concert at Michie Stadium for the U.S. Army at West Point back in 2019. Then he joined us for an #OperationMWR Navy MWR Entertainment date that Degy executed in 2024. Dierks is one of the acts that I get excited to book and work with whenever we get the chance.
Megan Moroney wrapped the June stretch of the Cloud 9 Tour this weekend with a show at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and I just missed seeing her. I was in Toronto on our family moose expedition, and she's one of those acts I would have extended my trip to see. We worked with Megan several times on college campuses before things started to explode. Moroney has been running through some of the biggest venues in country music since launching the tour at the end of May: sold-out opener in Columbus, United Center in Chicago, State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Her Cloud 9 album came out in February, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and she has been converting that album momentum into superstar-like ticket sales. Funny side story: Megan was a Kappa Delta at the University of Georgia a few years ago. Her name may (or may not have) popped up on our registration list for College Party Cruise, a spring-break cruise company that I also co-own. Funny how worlds intersect.
Chris Stapleton's All-American Road Show played Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on June 20 and has been one of the more consistent touring success stories of the year (I mean decade), adding second dates throughout the run as the demand keeps coming. He's bucking the trend with other major artists struggling in the big stadiums. What makes his tour worth watching beyond just Stapleton himself is the rotating cast of artists sharing the bill on different stops: Ashley McBryde, Carter Faith, Grace Potter & Nocturnals, Molly Tuttle, and others cycle through different stops.
Stapleton has been using this tour format for years as a way to bring artists he believes in into spaces they might not have access to otherwise. Tennessee Whiskey was recently certified Double Diamond by the RIAA, becoming the only country song in history to reach that milestone. The All-American Road Show runs through October. I was pitching an athletics department at Western Kentucky University last week, pulling out some of the past artists that I booked on their campus. Sure enough, I found an opening act contract for the same Chris Stapleton at E.A. Diddle Arena on October 25, 2013. I'm not sure the $5,000 (yes, Five Thousand) dollar performance fee we paid back then will get his interest these days, haha.
Warren Zeiders is on his first ever world tour in 2026 and what he's doing in a short time is worth paying close attention to. I've been plugged into the WZ growth for a while, trying to land him for a Navy MWR aircraft carrier trip a few months back. He came up through TikTok, converted that following into real live audiences faster than almost anyone in his peer group, accumulated over three and a half billion global streams, won CMT Breakthrough Male Music Video of the Year, and landed his first number one with Pretty Little Poison in 2024.
The World Tour covers the United States, Australia, and Europe, and he is appearing at major festivals including Stagecoach and Windy City Smokeout, run by my buddy Ed Warm, alongside established headliners. He is in a moment where the right festival or fair booking looks very smart very quickly.
George Birge is one of those artists I keep expecting to see on more event lineups and keep being surprised he is not, yet. George has a number one on Country Airplay with Cowboy Songs from 2024, followed by It Won't Be Long peaking at number three. He has radio credibility built over years of real work. Before going solo, most don't remember he was one half of the duo Waterloo Revival, so the live experience on him is deeper than his solo timeline suggests. His show has a warmth and ease that works across event types: fairs, corporate shows, outdoor festivals, college events. Artists with back-to-back top five radio hits at his current price point do not stay at that price point for long.
Nate Smith closed out the Long Live Country Rock and Roll Tour with back-to-back nights at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on June 17 and 18. Closing a tour at the Ryman is not something that happens by accident. Smith won ACM New Male Artist of the Year in 2024, has stacked four consecutive number ones, and has a voice that sounds like it belongs to someone who has been doing this for thirty years. For buyers at theaters, performing arts centers, smaller outdoor amphitheaters, and fair stages, this is the right time to be having that conversation.
He's on the same booking roster with acts like Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman and Riley Green. He's getting the push he deserves as an excellent live act. I expect to see him continue to ride high while swimming in the same pool of those superstars.
Bonnaroo 2026 wrapped its four-day run from June 11 through 14 on The Farm in Manchester, Tennessee and it was the comeback the festival and the outdoor concert industry needed after 2025 was largely wiped out by weather. Skrillex headlined opening night for the first time in twelve years at the festival. Noah Kahan, one of my favorites right now (and I don't say that casually), closed a delayed Sunday night timeline after a storm left mud and water everywhere. The undercard included GRiZ, Yungblud, Teddy Swims, and many others across more than ten stages.
Sunday afternoon lightning canceled a stretch of sets with Centeroo being evacuated at one point. After last year's near cancellation of everything, three strong days of programming delivered a comeback punch: Bonnaroo is still healthy and the camping festival market is in good shape heading into the back half of the year.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame held its 55th Annual Induction and Awards Gala on June 11 in New York City and it was a night worth knowing about for anyone working in live entertainment. The 2026 class included Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, and Christopher Tricky Stewart. John Fogerty received the Johnny Mercer Award, the Hall's highest honor, and delivered a speech that ran over thirty-five minutes tracing his entire life in music. Brandi Carlile inducted Alanis Morissette with a performance of Uninvited alongside Sistastrings that nobody in that room will forget.
Darius Rucker's Songs of Summer Tour launched June 4 and runs through August 1. Rucker is one of the most versatile live draws in the business. Hootie hits aside, as a solo artist, he's been one of my favorite artists to book for any market whether it's for a college arena show or a military MWR event. Fact is, Darius still works for everyone: country audiences, Hootie fans, corporate events, outdoor festivals, and dare I say, even still in the college booking market. That kind of crossover appeal is a rare asset for buyers putting together mixed-format lineups.
Kip Moore and Billy Currington launched a co-headlining tour on June 5 that runs through September. Two proven road-tested performers sharing a bill is a package format that consistently works for amphitheaters, fairs, and outdoor summer venues, and both of these artists bring real dedicated audiences with them.
The artists we covered above are all moving at a high level right now. My Top 5 this week is a separate list entirely: five artists across different price points and event types that deserve a strong look from talent buyers, college entertainment directors, fair and festival programmers, and corporate event planners who want to stay in front of the market.
Kolby Cooper is touring as a special guest on the Warren Zeiders World Tour and he is the name people keep asking about after the show ends. Texas country, a loyal and passionate fanbase, and a stage presence that works in rooms of every size. He is in a price range right now that makes him very programmable for college shows, fairs, and mid-size outdoor events, and he is building the kind of momentum that changes that range.
Ashley McBryde is on the Chris Stapleton All-American Road Show and Stapleton keeps bringing her back because she earns it every time. Ashley is one of the most credible and authentic singer-songwriters performing in country music today and her live show has a rawness that cuts through any room. Theaters, performing arts centers, fairs, festival stages: she works everywhere and she connects. We just added her to a fantastic summer festival bill with Brett Young and Rodney Atkins for late July, and I can't wait for our team to execute another date with this soon-to-be superstar.
Carter Faith is also on the Stapleton touring bill, which is as strong a co-sign as the live space has to offer. She writes with a precision and emotional honesty that very few artists her age can match, and her performances make large venues feel personal. College entertainment directors and performing arts buyers looking to be ahead of the curve should be paying attention to her right now.
Owen Riegling opened both launch nights of the Dierks Bentley Off the Map Tour in Rogers and Kansas City and has been turning heads at every stop. The Canadian singer-songwriter has a vocal quality and stage presence that reads well above where his profile currently sits. Getting placed on a Bentley amphitheater tour at this stage of his career is a real signal about where the industry sees him heading. College buyers and fair bookers looking to get in early should be making this call.
Brandon Wisham played the Ryman Auditorium finale of the Nate Smith tour at twenty-two years old. He holds a Warner Chappell publishing deal, he is earning placement on major national tours, and his debut song Pain Won't Be Long, written about losing his father when he was nineteen, is the kind of first moment that creates lasting audiences. He is still accessible for college shows and smaller venues, and that combination of story, pedigree, and price point is not going to hold.
A Canadian road trip with zero moose, one food court named after a moose, and a live music industry that kept moving the whole time I was gone. Yes, Ari actually took a little vacation and did my best to put the phone and computer away, if not for a few hours each day to spend as "dad." That is a pretty accurate description of this talent buyer/agenting job and my life. Honestly, I would not trade either one. To all the dads in this business doing the impossible math of road and family, the ones on tour buses tonight, the ones who took a call during the school dance recital, the ones who figured out how to be in two places at once because this industry demands it: I see you. Happy Father's Day. The moose is still out there somewhere and so is the next great show. See you next weekend as I'll be checking in from somewhere in Asia!
For over 25 years, Degy Entertainment has been one of the most active and trusted names in the global live entertainment business, executing nearly 3,000 events each year across 30 countries. We work across talent buying and middle buying, connecting artists with events of every size and type: college shows, corporate events, fairs, festivals, private engagements, and everything in between. If something you read here sparked a thought about an artist or an event, that conversation starts with us.
Reach us at ari@degy.com or visit www.degy.com.
How do touring artists balance family life while performing?
Touring artists face unique challenges balancing live performance schedules with family obligations. Many bring family members on tour, schedule time off strategically, use technology for remote connection, and plan their touring calendar to maximize time at home during off-seasons. Artists like Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen manage family responsibilities while maintaining demanding stadium and amphitheater tour schedules.
What is the typical touring schedule for major country artists?
Major touring artists typically perform 150-250+ dates annually depending on tour type. Stadium tours (like Morgan Wallen's Still the Problem Tour) are shorter, concentrated runs – 23 dates over 2-3 months. Amphitheater tours (like Dierks Bentley's Off the Map Tour) span longer periods (June-July). Festival season (summer) requires multiple dates weekly. College shows and corporate events offer more flexible scheduling.
Do touring artists really take family vacations?
Yes, though vacation timing is constrained by touring schedules. Touring artists typically take breaks between tour legs, during off-season periods (November-January), or around holidays. However, as Ari notes, the live entertainment industry doesn't take weekends off, so genuine vacation time is precious and requires careful planning.
What is ID250 and what does it mean for touring artists?
ID250 refers to Independence Day (July 4th) weekend festival circuit, which includes events named ID250, Freedom Fest, Red White and Boom, Independence Day Fest, and similar derivative events. This is peak touring season for artists, requiring extensive road time and performance commitments, making Father's Day weekend particularly challenging for industry fathers.
How much does it cost to book Dierks Bentley for an event?
Dierks Bentley is a major touring artist performing stadium and amphitheater venues at premium pricing. Individual booking availability is limited to festival headliner slots or special performances. Contact Degy Entertainment (ari@degy.com) to discuss country headliners at accessible price points for your event type.
What does "off the map tour" mean?
The Off the Map Tour is a branded amphitheater tour by Dierks Bentley named after his song "Off the Map." The phrase references a more intimate touring experience compared to stadium tours, focusing on smaller venues that create personal connection with audiences.
Can I book Megan Moroney for a college event?
Megan Moroney is currently in superstar territory following her Cloud 9 album success and stadium tour performances. Her booking fees have increased substantially and she's primarily available for major festival headliner slots or premium venue shows. Contact Degy (ari@degy.com) to discuss emerging country artists at college-accessible price points.
What is the Ryman Auditorium and why is closing a tour there significant?
The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville is the historic "Mother Church of Country Music" and one of the most prestigious live performance venues in the world. Closing a tour at the Ryman signals an artist has achieved significant status and credibility in country music. It's reserved for established and emerging superstars.
Who is Warren Zeiders and why is he trending?
Warren Zeiders is a rising country artist who built his following on TikTok, converted that audience to live fans, and is now performing his first world tour (2026). With 3.5+ billion global streams and major festival appearances, he represents the modern path of social media-to-touring artist trajectory.
What makes Chris Stapleton's All-American Road Show unique?
The All-American Road Show features rotating supporting artists (Ashley McBryde, Carter Faith, Molly Tuttle, Grace Potter) on different dates. Stapleton uses this format to elevate emerging artists by giving them access to stadium-level audiences. It's both a touring strategy and artist development program.
How many shows does Darius Rucker perform annually?
Darius Rucker is one of the most versatile live draws, capable of performing college arenas, military events, corporate shows, outdoor festivals, and headliner venues. Annual performance count varies but typically ranges 100-150+ dates given his broad appeal across demographic groups.
What is co-headlining and why does it work for fairs and festivals?
Co-headlining (two major artists sharing bill, like Kip Moore and Billy Currington) creates mutual benefit: splits production costs, attracts dual fanbases, provides scheduling flexibility, and appeals to audience diversity. It's proven effective for amphitheaters, fairs, and outdoor summer events where audiences want variety and value.
Are emerging artists like Kolby Cooper and Carter Faith bookable for college events?
Yes. Emerging artists (Kolby Cooper, Carter Faith, Owen Riegling, Brandon Wisham) are strategically booked because they: perform at accessible price points, deliver excellent live shows, have growing but not-yet-superstar status, and offer strong return on investment before their fees increase significantly.
What does "songwriting credibility" mean in the live entertainment industry?
Songwriting credibility (as mentioned for George Birge and others) indicates an artist writes or co-writes their own material with chart success. This enhances their perceived authenticity and live performance value, making them more appealing to buyers seeking genuine artists rather than scripted performers.
How do touring artists use TikTok success to build live audiences?
TikTok-to-touring artists (like Warren Zeiders) leverage social media followings by converting digital engagement to live ticket sales. This represents an emerging career path where social media presence directly translates to touring opportunity, audience size, and booking fees.
What is MWR and why is it significant in touring?
MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) programming serves military personnel and families. MWR entertainment events provide important morale-building opportunities for armed forces. Touring artists (like Dierks Bentley, Warren Zeiders) incorporating MWR dates supports military community while expanding their touring reach.