Hailing from the heart of the Midwest, Maiden Dixie delivers a high-powered blend of country rock that’s equal parts grit, groove, and good times. Since bursting onto the scene in 2011, this electrifying five-piece has built a loyal following across Minnesota and beyond, known for their dynamic live shows, genre-bending sound, soul-stirring harmonies, and undeniable chemistry on stage.
The Kruse Brothers, Chandler and Miles Kruse, are transforming country music with their blend of diverse influences and musical styles. Originally rooted in classical music, the brothers bring a unique sound to the genre, infusing it with elements of blues and rock. They are supported by a talented group: Mike Griffith on lead electric guitar, Casey Barras on drums, and Josh Johnson on electric guitar and bass. Together, they craft a vibrant and dynamic sound that balances technical precision with heartfelt emotion. The Kruse Brothers’ innovative approach and rich musical backgrounds make them a standout act in the country music scene, merging tradition with fresh, exciting elements.
A rising star with the spirit of a true entertainer, a penchant for outside-the-box thinking and a growing, self-built audience, Cooper Alan is an artist willing to take country music where others have never dreamed – and fans love him for it. Whether it’s a deeply personal, step-by-step romantic saga, or an off-the-wall party anthem, Alan’s music is already some of country’s most fearless work, and he’s just getting started. A native of Winston-Salem, NC, the independent artist has racked up more than 750 million streams, a massive digital presence with more than 15 million followers across all social media platforms, and a touring footprint that sold over 150,000 tickets to date. It all stems from an ability to meet fans where they are – a creative renegade freely mixing musical styles, with boundless energy, sharp writing, and often, a sense of humor. But don’t be mistaken, there’s nothing gimmicky about it.
Maggie Antone’s voice has always won people over. Singing along to the radio from her carseat, it first won her parents over—enough so that they supported her through voice lessons, musical theater, and national anthem gigs around her hometown of Richmond. Later, with her recording of Tyler Childers’s “Lady May,” Antone’s voice would win the Internet over, too, gaining so much praise that she would go on to release an entire collection of covers, Interpretations, the following year. But lately, the fans at Antone’s packed-out gigs are singing every word to her songs: After all, even if her voice is what draws you in, it’s the vulnerability of her songwriting that will keep you coming back.
Hailing from the small town of Wendell, Minnesota, Zach Thomas is a musician whose powerful voice and honest lyrics resonate with fans across genres. A 2023 Midwest Country Music Organization “Male Vocalist of the Year” nominee, Zach’s passion for music is evident in every performance, driven by a determination that sets him apart. His willingness to press the boundaries of genres has earned him a dedicated following, and his EP “Better Off” soared to number 14 on the iTunes Country Album Charts in 2022.
The American south isn’t just Brent Cobb’s home. It’s his muse, too. A Georgia native, he fills his Grammy-nominated songwriting with the sounds and stories of an area that’s been home to southern rockers, soul singers, country legends, and bluesmen. Cobb has a name for that rich tapestry of music — “southern eclectic” — and he offers up his own version of it with his newest album, Southern Star.
Growing up just outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Braden Jamison found inspiration in the eclectic mix of sounds he discovered in the local music scene. Each style and genre from gospel, blues, classic and southern rock, and traditional country music has influenced him and become part of his own sound. From the time he first picked up a guitar at eleven years old, he has been writing songs and creating his own, distinct sound which is undeniably country. His love for country music and storytelling brought him to Nashville in 2020 where he landed his first publishing deal as an artist-writer at Sea Gayle Music in 2024.
Jordan Beem is a rising country artist out of Des Moines, IA, earning major recognition across the Midwest. This year he was nominated for Male Country Artist of the Year at the Josie Music Awards, voted 2024 IMA Country Music Artist of the Year, and named the 2023 Midwest Country Music Organization New Artist of the Year.
With an inimitable voice The New York Times describes as “wholly different, thicker and more throbbing, a caldron bubbling over,” Randy Houser has racked up over half a dozen hits and 1 billion streams. His How Country Feels album topped the charts with the title track, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss” (also his first No. 1 as a songwriter) and earned critical acclaim for his powerful delivery of the Top 5 smash and nominated CMA Song of the Year, “Like A Cowboy.”
Maggie Antone’s voice has always won people over. Singing along to the radio from her carseat, it first won her parents over—enough so that they supported her through voice lessons, musical theater, and national anthem gigs around her hometown of Richmond. Later, with her recording of Tyler Childers’s “Lady May,” Antone’s voice would win the Internet over, too, gaining so much praise that she would go on to release an entire collection of covers, Interpretations, the following year. But lately, the fans at Antone’s packed-out gigs are singing every word to her songs: After all, even if her voice is what draws you in, it’s the vulnerability of her songwriting that will keep you coming back.
Growing up just outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Braden Jamison found inspiration in the eclectic mix of sounds he discovered in the local music scene. Each style and genre from gospel, blues, classic and southern rock, and traditional country music has influenced him and become part of his own sound. From the time he first picked up a guitar at eleven years old, he has been writing songs and creating his own, distinct sound which is undeniably country. His love for country music and storytelling brought him to Nashville in 2020 where he landed his first publishing deal as an artist-writer at Sea Gayle Music in 2024.
For the past decade, Flatland Cavalry has built a reputation as “one of the most dynamic presences in country music” (Rolling Stone) with their signature “Easy on the ears, heavy on the heart” sound. In 2024, the sextet celebrated 10 years together with Flatland Forever, an acclaimed album that pays tribute to their journey, revisiting fan favorites while introducing new songs that showcase how far they’ve come.
The American south isn’t just Brent Cobb’s home. It’s his muse, too. A Georgia native, he fills his Grammy-nominated songwriting with the sounds and stories of an area that’s been home to southern rockers, soul singers, country legends, and bluesmen. Cobb has a name for that rich tapestry of music — “southern eclectic” — and he offers up his own version of it with his newest album, Southern Star.
Country music trailblazer Lainey Wilson continues to take over the world, capturing the hearts of music fans, the excitement of the industry and the recognition of her peers, while keeping her boots firmly planted on the ground. Her monumental rise continues with major milestones, including her induction into the Grand Ole Opry, co-hosting the 58th Annual CMA Awards alongside Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, headlining the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Halftime Show as part of The Salvation Army’s 134th Red Kettle Campaign and her upcoming, nearly sold out Whirlwind World Tour, which will span across Europe and North America.
Born in Texas, raised on a Kentucky farm, and educated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the heart of the Bible Belt, Nichols became a TikTok phenomenon for her original songs like “Bad Taste,” “Trailer Treasure,” and “Okie Boys.” When her embarrassed brother discovered her account, he begged her to delete it — until a cute girl approached him at school and excitedly asked, “Is Elizabeth Nichols your sister?” Unbeknownst to her sibling, Nichols, who fell in love with the Country storytelling of legends like Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, and John Prine, had cultivated a following in just a few short months, attracting listeners with her plainspoken and often humorous songs about life as a 23-year-old. Her writing style is a mix of Kacey Musgraves cleverness and Toby Keith brashness, delivered in a sweet drawl that’s both relatable and disarming.
What started out as poetry turned to songs. What started out as songs turned to music. What started out as music turned to a career. Brianna has been entertaining since she was only eight years old. She is a multi-instrumentalist who plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard, mandolin, bass guitar and does lead vocals. She started out as a solo acoustic artist who was then in a full-time band for over six years. She has played major festivals, such as, ND Country Fest, Kickn’ Up Kountry, Land O Live, Key West Songwriter’s Festival and WE Fest.
Originating as The Tennessee River Boys in the 80’s, the band evolved into Diamond Rio in 1989. The following year, they signed with Arista Nashville, and in 1991, with the release of “Meet in The Middle,” became the first country music group in history to reach No. 1 with a debut single. The band is also known for their multi-week chart-topper “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” crossover hit “One More Day,” as well as timeless hits “Beautiful Mess,” “Unbelievable,” “I Believe,” and many more.
North Carolina native, BLAKE PROEHL always had his sights set on the NFL, inspired by the legacy his father, Ricky Proehl, has built in world of profession football. However, in 2021, while playing for the Minnesota Vikings, he suffered a severe leg injury that changed the course of his life. During the process of his recovery, Blake discovered a new passion for music, first by teaching himself to play the guitar and then by immersing himself in songwriting. What began as a therapeutic outlet blossomed into a profound love for music and eventually surpassed his football aspirations. After three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Blake made the bold decision to follow his heart and pursue a career in music, channeling his experiences and emotions into his art.
Matt Schuster, an emerging country talent, embodies a unique blend of nostalgia for a bygone era and a visionary drive for the future. Hailing from the heart of small-town Southern Illinois, Schuster brings powerful vocals and an acoustic-driven country sound that’s redefining the sonic landscape of Nashville and beyond. Bold, effortlessly soulful and so undeniably invigorating it an stop you in your tracks, as showcased in his most recent release “How Can I Ever Get Over You?”
Max McNown creates the kind of songs that perfectly soundtrack our most intimate moments: times of intense heartache and tremendous loss, immense upheaval and life-changing revelation. Within just a year of teaching himself to play guitar, the Oregon-bred, Nashville-based musician turned out three EPs spotlighting his emotionally potent yet nuanced lyrics—an element beautifully displayed on his breakout single “A Lot More Free,” a track that landed on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart and greatly expanded his grassroots following. Anchored in the charmingly warm vocal presence he partly honed by busking at the beach in Southern California, McNown’s debut album Wandering brings an even deeper sense of purpose to his songwriting—and, in turn, reveals his extraordinary capacity to ease the mind and strengthen the soul.
Matt Schuster, an emerging country talent, embodies a unique blend of nostalgia for a bygone era and a visionary drive for the future. Hailing from the heart of small-town Southern Illinois, Schuster brings powerful vocals and an acoustic-driven country sound that’s redefining the sonic landscape of Nashville and beyond. Bold, effortlessly soulful and so undeniably invigorating it an stop you in your tracks, as showcased in his most recent release “How Can I Ever Get Over You?”
Hailing from the hills of Charleston, West Virginia, Nathan Bess writes songs that cut to the bone of Appalachian life. A full-time firefighter, his music explores the struggles, stories, and resilience of his home state, capturing the tension between hardship and hope that defines the region, following in the footsteps of Appalachian country music stalwarts like Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson.
GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, AMA, and Emmy Award-winning group, Little Big Town – consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook – burst onto the music scene 25 years ago with smash hits “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church.” The band’s breakthrough albums Tornado and PainKiller produced multiple No. 1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of 2015 “Girl Crush.” 2017’s The Breaker debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Charts to critical acclaim and features their GRAMMY-winning, multi-week #1 single, “Better Man,” as well as the 2019 GRAMMY-nominated, “When Someone Stops Loving You.” In January 2020, the band released their self-produced ninth studio album, Nightfall, which once again hit the top of the Billboard Country Charts. The record included critically…
Born in Texas, raised on a Kentucky farm, and educated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the heart of the Bible Belt, Nichols became a TikTok phenomenon for her original songs like “Bad Taste,” “Trailer Treasure,” and “Okie Boys.” When her embarrassed brother discovered her account, he begged her to delete it — until a cute girl approached him at school and excitedly asked, “Is Elizabeth Nichols your sister?” Unbeknownst to her sibling, Nichols, who fell in love with the Country storytelling of legends like Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, and John Prine, had cultivated a following in just a few short months, attracting listeners with her plainspoken and often humorous songs about life as a 23-year-old. Her writing style is a mix of Kacey Musgraves cleverness and Toby Keith brashness, delivered in a sweet drawl that’s both relatable and disarming.