CMA Fest covers the city in the first week of June. From Nissan Stadium and stages all across downtown Music City, it's the longest running country music festival in the world. You know who's never been there, or never been invited by an artist or industry vet to come see some shows? You guessed it, but damn straight, it's on my list. Now in its 53rd year, the event draws nearly 100,000 people per day, features over 300 performances across multiple stages, and functions as the single biggest showcase of where country music lives, where it is going, and who the artists are that talent buyers everywhere should have on their radar.
As I mentioned, I am not in Nashville this week, but I am watching everything coming out of it closely, and what I see is a genre that is absolutely on fire. The new class of country music artists performing at this year's festival represents some of the most exciting live booking opportunities in the entire entertainment industry at the moment. Let me walk you through who I think is making noise and why it matters.
The story of CMA Fest 2026, and honestly the story of country music right now, really comes down to a handful of artists who have spent the last couple of years building something authentic and are now seeing it all come together.
The first name I want to talk about is Shaboozey, and I want to talk about him not just because of the numbers, which are staggering, but because of what he means as a live act. The Virginia born artist, whose crossover journey from hip hop and Americana into the center of mainstream country has been one of the great music stories of the last two years, performed on the Friday night stadium bill with Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Cody Johnson, and The Red Clay Strays. His single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" made history as one of the longest running number one songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and right now he is gearing up for his fall headline run, the Outlaws Never Die Tour, which kicks off in September and runs through late October across arenas and amphitheaters.
What makes Shaboozey so compelling from a live booking perspective is the breadth of his audience. He crosses country, hip hop, pop, and mainstream in a way that very few artists can, and that translates to extraordinary versatility for buyers programming everything from fairs and festivals to corporate events. We were lucky enough to host Shaboozey as a special guest act to Jelly Roll last year in Jacksonville, FL. I think I watched our program feed of his set three times in a row since I was backstage handling other things when it was going on live. He rocked it with emotion, with his words about the U.S. military and what they mean to him. If I get the opportunity to book him at an event again, I'm going back to that well in a heartbeat.
Right alongside him in the conversation is Ella Langley, who had what I can only describe as a truly historic spring. I had one offer submitted to her this spring for a military event, and she was so busy that we didn't even get past the date on the offer sheet. She swept seven awards at the 2026 ACM ceremony including Female Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for "Choosin' Texas," which she co-wrote with Miranda Lambert and reached number one on country radio while cracking the top five of the overall Billboard Hot 100. She performed on the opening night of CMA Fest Thursday June 4, she is headlining amphitheaters on The Dandelion Tour behind her sophomore album, and she was just announced as a Grandstand headliner at the Illinois State Fair in August.
For anyone who books fairs, outdoor concerts, or amphitheater events, that last point is significant. State fair Grandstand bookings are competitive and discerning, and they are a reliable signal of where an artist sits in terms of mainstream market value. Ella Langley is clearly there, if you have the money that is. She's getting beyond that 'it girl' category and that will mean your offer better be in the ballgame with a lot of zeros.
Then there is Zach Top, who I think is an incredibly interesting artist in the traditional country space right now. The kid from Sunnyside, Washington, who grew up on a family ranch and started playing in a bluegrass band with his siblings, just announced this week through Pollstar that he is extending his Cold Beer and Country Music Tour all the way through the fall, adding arena dates across the country and closing the whole run with a headline debut at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on October 30. He also won the CMA New Artist of the Year award last fall and took home a Grammy for his second album. He performed at CMA Fest on Saturday on the main stadium stage. His debut album has over a billion streams.
He is a neotraditional country artist who sounds like the real thing because he is the real thing, and audiences of all ages are responding to it. This is one of those artists who is at a unique moment where the demand is real but the booking window is still open. That does not last long.
The Red Clay Strays are one of those 'cool bands' that I have been watching for awhile, and 2026 seems to be the year that everything clicks into place for them on a national level. The Mobile, Alabama six piece just released their third studio album, on the same day as their CMA Fest stadium performance, and their headline tour The Grateful Tour includes stops at Merriweather Post Pavilion, TD Garden in Boston, Madison Square Garden in New York, and two nights at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville (none of those I booked, don't ask me for tickets yet). They are the reigning ACM Group of the Year. Their sound blends Southern rock, country, blues, and gospel into something that feels genuinely powerful in a live setting, and every time they play a festival they walk away with a new wave of fans. CMA Fest is going to do that for them again this weekend. For talent buyers programming outdoor events, fairs, and festivals, The Red Clay Strays are a serious anchor act right now.
And then there is Tucker Wetmore, my new buddy from traveling a few weeks ago together for Navy MWR Entertainment over in Micronesia. He's as nice a guy as it gets, and he may or may not have asked to sign a torpedo on a U.S military warship, nbd! Tucker won ACM New Male Artist of the Year this spring and performed at CMA Fest on Thursday opening night. His single "Wind Up Missin' You" has become one of the signature country songs of the year, and every show review I read says the same thing about him live: the voice sounds exactly like it does on the record, the connection with the crowd is genuine, and people leave wanting more.
That combo is the formula for a rising live act that becomes a reliable booking commodity, and talent buyers who are working the college market may have just missed the boat on this guy, but the amphitheater circuit, and the festival world should be paying close attention to where Tucker Wetmore is going. I'm planning to launch out more offer sheets soon as he's the kind of act you want to book for your stage.
One of the things I want this blog to do every week that you will not find in most industry publications is give you names that are not necessarily dominating the headlines but deserve your attention if you're reading either as a fan or from the talent buying community. This week I want to talk about two artists who are both performing at CMA Fest in the free daytime stage programming. Both acts represent exactly the kind of under the radar opportunity that smart event programmers should be chasing.
The first is Marcus King. If you want to talk about a live musician who can walk into any room and completely own it on pure talent alone, Marcus King is the name. Anyone remember that term we used when playing air guitar, 'that guy shreds'. I think Marcus' photo sits alongside of the upcoming reprint of the book. The South Carolina born guitarist and singer blends blues, rock, soul, and country into something that feels entirely his own, and multiple outlets covering CMA Fest this week have already named his free set as a must-see performance at the festival.
He is currently on his Darling Blue Tour Part 2, covering outdoor amphitheaters, theaters, and festival stages through the summer and fall, and he has dates coming up with Mumford and Sons in October. What I like a lot about Marcus King from a booking perspective is the gap between how good he is live and where his mainstream name recognition currently sits. That gap can close incredibly fast for artists like him. His crossover appeal is real across rock fans, blues fans, country fans, and people who have never heard of him before the first song. He may not look the part of the crossover country star, but for talent buyers programming outdoor concerts, performing arts centers, and college shows, Marcus is someone worth a serious conversation right now.
The second name is Stephen Wilson Jr. The CMA programmers knows who he is, as they gave him a midfield stage performance at Nissan Stadium this week alongside The Band Perry. Stephen was nominated for CMA New Artist of the Year in 2025, so he's not unknown in any way. But the broader talent buying world outside of Nashville has been slower to catch up, and that is an opportunity. He has a genuine soulful voice, a raw and honest songwriting perspective, and a stage presence that feels like he deserves to be there.
His collab with the aforementioned Shaboozey called "Took a Walk" turned a lot of heads and introduced him to a wider audience. Go ahead and say it, the glasses are funky and might be peaking a bit late compared to others at age 46. But this is exactly the kind of artist who delivers at a boutique festival, or a smaller market concert and makes everyone in the room feel like they found something special. Watch his name closely the next few months.
The context for everything I have written above is CMA Fest itself, and I want to give it its proper due from an industry standpoint beyond just the artist names. This four-day event consumes the city of Nashville and is genuinely one of the most important windows of the entire year for anyone in the live entertainment business to be watching. It's also a week that I know none of my country offers are going to get answered, as evidenced by my Avery Anna (we'll talk about her soon) offer sitting without much attention, yet. CMA is not just a festival; it has become a real time market indicator.
Artists who command stadium stages at CMA Fest are the artists that talent buyers across fairs, festivals, corporate events, and performing arts centers are going to be fielding requests about for the next twelve months. The daytime free stages are just as important, because that is where the next wave of headliners gets introduced to massive audiences. What the CMA Fest programming tells you this year is that the new class of country artists, Shaboozey, Ella Langley, Zach Top, The Red Clay Strays, Tucker Wetmore, and the ones just behind them, are not emerging anymore. They have emerged. They are the genre now. And if someone sees Ms. Natalie Stovall cranking away at the fiddle and vocals with a baby bump on Keith Urban's stage, give her a big hug and kiss for me. We texted last week about her new baby wearings on stage, and I wish I could have made this year's fest just to see her shine before the little one is born.
It is also worth noting the reports say 2026 is the final year of CMA Fest at the current Nissan Stadium before the Tennessee Titans open their new two billion dollar covered stadium right next door in 2027. That transition is going to be a fascinating story for the live events world to follow, and I hope to be covering it in future editions. The CMA Fest TV special highlighting the best of this year's performances airs June 25 on ABC and streams the following day on Hulu. Worth setting a reminder, especially since this guy didn't make it. I'll be at Fort Bragg watching along with you on the tube.
On the broader industry front, data presented at Pollstar Live earlier this spring put global live entertainment ticket sales at 35 billion dollars in 2025. That number tells you a lot about the environment we are all operating in right now. Yeah yeah yeah, I am reading the same reports you do about the "blue dot theory" and people screaming about the cancellation of major tours. The theories aren't always in alignment with the numbers, and the above stats show the live business is not contracting… at least not yet. It is still showing growth especially in certain sectors and genres.
Beyond the artists mentioned above, who you should absolutely be exploring for your upcoming events, here are five more names I am watching closely right now that deserve a spot on your radar. This is my personal booking recommendation list for the week, all live and bookable through Degy.
I just locked this artist for another college campus this fall. You know Matt Bennett as Robbie Shapiro from the hit Nickelodeon show Victorious, and that nostalgia factor alone gets students in the door. But what keeps them there is the show itself. Matt spins all the fun hits from Nick, Disney Channel, and the whole era of actor turned artists, and he brings the genuine energy of someone who loves every second of what he is doing on stage. For college programmers, this one is a no brainer.
I mentioned her above and my offer sitting unanswered this week during CMA Fest. I'm anxious to land my first booking with her for a few Navy shows in August. The 22 year old Arizona native just won ACM New Female Artist of the Year and delivered a standout performance at the ceremony in May. Her track "Blood Runs Thicker" from her EP Forgive, Forget shows exactly where her sound is going, and it is somewhere real. She has toured with Josh Turner, Parmalee, and Martina McBride, and the live reputation is building fast. Get in front of this one before the window closes.
Billboard called him one of country music's most buzzed-about artists and the live show backs it up completely. The Georgia native, a former college football player turned outlaw country force, is currently on his 27-city Day I Hang It Up Tour 2026 and is also supporting Morgan Wallen on 16 dates this year. Over 1.5 billion global streams. Platinum singles. Rabid fanbase. His high-energy shows sell out fast and the demand is only going up.
One of the most interesting female voices in country music right now, and a name that is cropping up on some seriously big bills this summer including the Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan Double Down Tour. She is performing at CMA Fest this week on the free daytime stages, which gives her massive exposure in front of the exact audience that follows these things closely. Smart, distinctive, and building momentum in a real way. Worth a serious look for fairs, festivals, and outdoor events this fall.
Yes, that Shaq. The LSU born, Lakers bred, 7' tall Hall of Famer is also an accomplished DJ headlining stages across the country, and I just added him for a military event this fall up in Illinois. His Shaq to School Tour is generating serious buzz with my college buyers right now, and honestly it makes complete sense when you think about it. The name recognition is instant, the room fills up fast, and the show is a genuine blast. Every person who walks in knows who he is, and every person who walks out is talking about it. This is exactly the kind of booking that works across military events, college shows, corporate parties, and fairs because the appeal is completely universal.
That's it for this week's blog, and the first edition of Ari's "Industry Insights". I'm glad we decided to give this a whirl, and I think it will be a fun way for me to get my thoughts out each weekend on what's happening in the world of touring, music, and our industry!
What's on tap for me? I'm heading to NACDA in Las Vegas tomorrow to meet with athletic directors and personnel from college and university athletic departments. All the buzz on campuses these days is how to find 'new revenue' outside of gamedays, and how colleges can use their stadiums, arenas, and facilities to host concerts and live events that aren't connected to sports. Welp, Degy does that too, as we consult, strategize, book and execute those events on behalf of athletic departments. If you run events for a university athletic program and want to talk about what that looks like, you already know where to find me. I'm not a gambler, a smoker, or a drinker (heck, I'm not even a foodie, so chicken tenders in Vegas are fine, too)… but everyone loves a few days in Vegas for some fun and business. See you next weekend!
At Degy Entertainment, live performance is everything we do. For over 25 years we have been one of the most active entertainment buyers in the world, executing nearly 3,000 events every year across 30 countries. We work in talent buying and middle buying across every market and every event type, from college shows and corporate events to fairs, festivals, and international stages. If you have questions about any of the artists mentioned here or want to talk through what makes sense for your next event, reach out directly at ari@degy.com. And check back here every weekend for the next edition of Industry Insights.
What is Ari's Industry Insights and how often is it published?
Ari's Industry Insights is a weekly industry commentary blog written by Ari Nisman, President & CEO of Degy Entertainment. Published every weekend, it features Ari's personal observations on trending artists, live entertainment industry developments, booking opportunities, and market trends. Unlike typical press releases or industry recaps, it provides insider perspective on who talent buyers, event planners, and college programmers should be watching.
Who should read Industry Insights?
Industry Insights is written for talent buyers, event planners, college programmers, entertainment professionals, festival organizers, venue managers, and anyone interested in understanding emerging artists and live entertainment trends. The blog bridges entertainment industry professionals with music fans curious about who's rising in the industry.
How do I book one of the artists mentioned in this week's Industry Insights?
All featured artists are bookable through Degy Entertainment. Contact the appropriate Degy team member based on your event type: College Programming (Jeff Hyman, Sophie Low, Sean Sullivan), Corporate/Festival Events (Nick DiRoma), or discuss directly with Ari Nisman (ari@degy.com) for strategic booking conversations.
What does it mean if an artist is on Ari's weekly top 5 list?
Inclusion on Ari's top 5 booking recommendations indicates the artist is currently a strong booking opportunity based on several factors: rising popularity and momentum, reasonable booking window before fees increase significantly, strong live performance reputation, audience versatility across multiple event types, or a specific market moment making them particularly valuable. It's a signal of strategic booking timing.
Is Shaboozey still available for booking after CMA Fest?
As mentioned in the article, Shaboozey is gearing up for the Outlaws Never Die Tour (September-October 2026), so his amphitheater and arena availability is limited. However, custom opportunities may still exist for corporate events, festival headliners, or military shows. Booking offers should be submitted quickly and realistically, he's beyond accessible price points but premium corporate/festival budgets may still find opportunity.
What makes CMA Fest important beyond just the music festival itself?
CMA Fest functions as a real-time market indicator for the live entertainment industry. Artists commanding stadium stages become the artists that talent buyers will field requests about for the next 12 months. The daytime free stage performances introduce next-generation headliners to massive audiences. CMA Fest lineup curation signals which country artists have achieved mainstream viability for fairs, festivals, and corporate programming.
Are the "hidden gem" artists more affordable than the main headliners?
Generally yes, but with nuance. Marcus King and Stephen Wilson Jr. are still established artists with touring overhead, but they likely fall in a different booking tier than Ella Langley or Shaboozey. The advantage of hidden gems is the gap between current market recognition and actual live quality, this gap tends to close fast, making early booking strategically valuable. Contact your Degy agent for specific pricing on hidden gem artists.
Why does Ari mention specific tour names and venues in this article?
Specific tour names (Outlaws Never Die, The Dandelion Tour, Cold Beer and Country Music Tour) and venue details are included to help talent buyers understand current artist routing, availability windows, and touring timeline. This information helps you assess whether an artist's schedule aligns with your event dates and market.
What does Ari mean by "booking window"?
Booking window refers to the period when an emerging artist is still accessible at moderate pricing before demand spikes and fees climb dramatically. For Zach Top, Ari notes the window is still open but won't last long—meaning his booking fees will likely increase significantly within months. Smart talent buyers recognize these windows and act before the artist reaches mainstream headliner pricing.
How does CMA Fest relate to other industry conferences like NACA or APCA?
CMA Fest is a fan-facing music festival and market indicator, while NACA and APCA conferences are talent buying professional conferences where programmers book acts directly. CMA Fest signals which artists are rising in the mainstream, while NACA/APCA is where you actually negotiate bookings. Together they form a complete picture of industry trends and booking opportunities.
Are international talent buyers reading this?
Yes. Degy Entertainment operates in 30+ countries and executes nearly 3,000 events annually worldwide. While this week's Industry Insights focuses on country music and U.S.-based artists, future editions will cover international trending artists and live entertainment developments globally.
How do I submit artist suggestions for future Industry Insights columns?
Email ari@degy.com with artist names, booking perspective, or industry moments you think deserve coverage in future Industry Insights editions. Ari reviews reader suggestions and incorporates emerging artists into upcoming weekly columns.
What was the significance of Natalie Stovall's mention in the article?
Natalie Stovall, performing at CMA Fest on Keith Urban's stage while pregnant, represents another emerging artist moment worthy of attention. Personal touches like this highlight live performance stories that matter beyond just booking data – they're about genuine artistry and milestone moments in live entertainment.
Will Industry Insights always focus on country music?
This week focused on CMA Fest and country music specifically because of the event's significance. Future Industry Insights columns will cover trending artists across all genres – pop, hip hop, rock, comedy, interactive experiences, and more – depending on major industry events and emerging talent moments.
Can I use Artist Insights for my own booking research?
Absolutely. Industry Insights is designed to be a public resource for anyone in event planning and talent buying. However, for specific booking details, availability, and pricing, always reach out directly to Degy or your preferred booking agent rather than relying solely on commentary.