Anyone who still claims that country music is dead has absolutely no clue what they are talking about. From top to bottom, country music is as strong as it has ever been, and there are TONS of up-and-coming and underrated artists out there doing what they can to carry on the genre’s storied tradition. In an effort to highlight those artists, I compiled a list of 16 artists that find themselves on the verge of a breakthrough as we continue into 2026. Now, before we dive in, I want to make it clear that this list doesn’t include artists like Ella Langley, Zach Top, or the Red Clay Strays who have already broken through into mainstream superstardom. Nor is this even going to include artists like Wyatt Flores, Kaitlin Butts, or Colby Acuff, who have long been on the radar of anyone who follows the scene. I hope, and I expect, that those artists will continue to tear down the proverbial barriers they encounter and keep ascending into country music stardom. Instead, this list is intended to shine a spotlight on artists that may or may not be household names yet amongst the fans of non-mainstream country music, or even frequent subjects of country music media outlets that cover the scene. There are several things that can facilitate a band breaking through to the next level in their careers. Typically, it’s an opening slot on a major tour or a killer new album that turns heads and grows their fanbase. These days, it can even be a band that experiences a viral moment or two on social media and is able to parlay that into a breakthrough. There are several bands on this list that meet these criteria, but I have also included a few who released albums last year that were so good they should catch fire any minute now. And even some others who are entering a new phase of life, which is evident in the maturation of their music. No matter how you look at it, though, these are all artists who have experienced some success in country music, but that deserve so much more, and have patiently awaited their much-deserved breakthrough into the next phase of their career. And with that, here are 16 of the top breakout candidates in country music for 2026. Ben Chapman An incredible songwriter, Ben Chapman has become one of the in-demand writers in Nashville’s independent orbit, with several of the scene’s most prominent acts cutting his songs in 2025. Still, his original music has flown too far beneath the radar up to this point. Landing somewhere between Brent Cobb, Marcus King, and Daniel Donato on the soulful side of the Southern sonic spectrum, Chapman has forged a distinctive sound that steers clear of the more oversaturated styles in today’s country music landscape. The world needs more groove-heavy country funk, and with new music starting to roll out next week, Ben Chapman plans to fill the void. Song Pick: “Adeline May” Briscoe While there were plenty of albums that didn’t quite get their due last year, Briscoe’s sophomore record Heat of July was one of the more underrated projects of 2025. Boasting a versatile sound and deft lyricism, the most impressive aspect of the Austin, TX-based duo’s latest album is the unique nature of the song content, ranging from oil rig love songs, to environmental conservancy, to cartel encounters on hunting trips, and plenty of other topics in between. Every song they release tells a captivating story, especially “Flashlights in the Canyon,” which earned them a recent viral moment on social media. Song Pick: “Flashlights in the Canyon” Brit Taylor If we’re talking underrated artists, then Brit Taylor needs to be at the forefront of that conversation. And I hope her new album Land of the Forgotten is able to take her out of that conversation once it’s released in a couple of weeks. Produced by her husband Adam Chaffins, this album features some of Taylor’s best work to date, and I’m confident everyone who listens will agree that the Kentucky native is ready to take the next step in her career. Song Pick: “Warning You Whiskey” Clay Street Unit One of the buzziest names in the scene at the moment, and for good reason. Clay Street Unit just released their highly anticipated debut record Sin & Squalor, and it exceeded the lofty expectations set forth by fans and critics alike. With a headlining tour on the books that will feature plenty of sold-out rooms, the Denver-based outfit also made their Grand Ole Opry debut this week, and will open shows for Turnpike Troubadours in Jackson Hole and String Cheese Incident at Red Rocks this summer. Clay Street Unit has next, and 2026 is their year to prove it. Song Pick: “Virginia” Colton Bowlin At just 21 years old, Bowlin is making it known that he is one of the latest young talents from Kentucky demanding your attention. With a stellar debut album in 2024’s Songs from the Holler under his belt, he’s already rolling out the singles for his next project, Grandpa’s Mill, which is shaping up to be a more mature collection of songs and stories steeped in his state’s songwriting tradition. With vocals that at times conjure memories of a Purgatory-era Childers, Bowlin’s music proves that he is wise beyond his years as he chronicles the trials and tribulations of life in Appalachia and beyond. Song Pick: Josey Wales Drayton Farley The Alabama native has endured a slow but steady rise over the years. One of the latest artists to benefit from his featuring in a Taylor Sheridan show, Farley’s inclusion in the latest season of Landman, and the ensuing response from the public and media alike, felt like a noticeable breakthrough. Now with his fourth record Heavy Duty Heart slated for release at the end of March, Farley is releasing some of his most poignant songwriting to date right as the momentum reaches its peak. Song Pick: “I Need Your Love” Jason Scott & the High Heat Their debut record Castle Rock in 2022 was solid, but last year’s American Grin marked a major step in this Oklahoma City, OK-based outfit’s journey. Following that album’s release, and on the strength of the additional singles released ever since, Jason Scott & the High Heat have quietly proved themselves as one of the more dynamic bands in country music’s up-and-coming scene. It’s almost as if 2025 was their year to prove to the Americana faithful that they were here to stay, and 2026 should be the year that the industry as a whole catches up. Big things are in store for Jason Scott & the High Heat. Song Pick: “Too Good, Too Bad” Kashus Culpepper Of all the artists on this list, Kashus Culpepper has the largest social media following, so I’d be remiss to say he isn’t already well known. Having just released his killer debut album, Act I, a month ago, though, Culpepper seems poised for a 2026 that sees his music catch up to his fan base – and his live shows continue to grow in stature. Song Pick: “Out Of My Mind” Ken Pomeroy Ken Pomeroy is an artist who is held in high esteem by the most accomplished artists in the Red Dirt scene. Pairing poignant lyricism with stop-you-in-your-tracks vocals, the Oklahoma native’s 2025 sophomore record Cruel Joke demonstrated just how talented she is. And as those songs continue to gain traction, the sky is truly the limit. Song Pick: “Innocent Eyes” Leon Majcen They just don’t make ’em like Leon Majcen anymore. A true road dog and a songwriter’s songwriter, Majcen has a knack for turning the plight of life as a touring musician into captivating song. Doing his best to follow in the footsteps of artists like Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, Majcen’s music upholds the integrity of the craft, but does so in a way that is not too obtuse for the average listener, keeping both the casual and diehard fan entertained. And despite a busy touring schedule that has found him opening for the likes of Turnpike Troubadours and American Aquarium, Majcen has also proved to be a prolific recorder, with multiple records in the queue for what is sure to be a massive 2026 for him and his team. Song Pick: “Making A Livin’ (Not A Killin’)” Mountain Grass Unit Mountain Grass Unit is the best act in bluegrass not named Billy Strings, if you ask me. And as long as these guys keep touring, they’re going to keep growing their brand. Formed by childhood friends from Birmingham, AL, this young jamgrass outfit puts on one of the best live shows in music, and their collective talent is an absolute, string-fueled force. With some more original tunes on the way, they’re poised to take things to the next level. Song Pick: “Hey Mama” Shelby Stone I included Stone on my recent must-listen artists that were new to me in 2025 list, but as the clear female torchbearer of the Red Dirt scene who seems to have every respected artist in the subgenre singing her praises, it’s evident she is someone fans should have their eye on. Especially as her debut album Silveryear is expected to hit streaming platforms this year following its purchase-only release on Bandcamp this past summer. Once those songs reach the masses, and she continues to land major opening slots and festival gigs, Stone is going to be on a skyrocketing trajectory towards the upper echelon of Red Dirt. Song Pick: “How Much More” The Droptines Joining the likes of Dylan Gossett and Jake Worthington on Miranda Lambert’s Big Loud Texas label last summer, The Droptines have been on a hot streak of single releases ever since their spectacular debut self-titled record dropped in 2024. 2025 also saw the band reaping the benefits of a huge tour supporting Whiskey Myers, winning over fans across the country with their electric live show and one-of-a-kind sound. The Droptines are a ticking time bomb ready to explode, and as they continue to release more new music, I expect that breakthrough will come sooner rather than later. Song Pick: “Take Too Much” The Wilder Blue With a wide range of sonic capabilities and absolutely killer harmonies, The Wilder Blue are one of the most versatile bands in country music, a notion that they made abundantly clear in their 2025 record Still in the Runnin’. With experienced frontman and formidable lyricist Zane Williams leading the charge for this underrated outfit, there is no doubt that they will continue to release incredible music. And at some point it’s bound to click for the masses. Song Pick: “Bless My Bones” Tyler Halverson Fresh off the release of his cleverly-penned In Defense of Drinking record last Friday, Halverson’s witty songwriting and unique perspective are the pillars in his case for a breakthrough this year. Blazing his own trail in sound and style, the South Dakota native has found himself at the center of the “next up” conversation several times since his first two singles, “Beer Garden Baby” and “Mac Miller,” caught the ears of country music fans in 2021. With his most complete project to date reaching the ears of new fans as we speak, though, it seems that Halverson’s breakthrough is as imminent as ever. Song Pick: “Like the Rodeo” William Clark Green Admittedly, including William Clark Green on this list feels slightly disingenuous. Green has been a well-respected artist with a dedicated following for well over a decade at this point. He’s been a major influence on many of the bands that have come out of Texas over the past several years, and is 1/4 of the Texas supergroup The Panhandlers. By all accounts, Green has already had a successful career as a country artist, and his deep catalog of original music speaks for itself. With all that said, his new album Watterson Hall is slated for release in just a couple of weeks, and this album marks a shift in his perspective as he embraces this current stage of life as a husband and new father. A week after this record is released, he’ll also embark on a lengthy run of shows opening arenas for Treaty Oak Revival, where his music will be reaching new ears of young fans eager to find and support genuine music. And for these reasons, I feel confident that William Clark Green is due for a breakthrough into an even greater echelon of country music stardom. Song Pick: “Where the Wild Things Are” The post 16 Of The Top Breakout Candidates In Country Music For 2026 first appeared on Whiskey Riff.