2026 in country music
This is a list of notable events in country music that have, or will take place in 2026.
| List of years in country music |
|---|
| (table) |
| By location |
|---|
| By genre |
| By topic |
Events
[edit]- January 13 – "Tennessee Whiskey" by Chris Stapleton becomes the first country song in history to be double diamond certified by the Recording Industry Association of America.[1]
- January 14 – Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association announces that she will retire at the end of 2026 after twelve years in the role.[2]
- January 16 – Suzy Bogguss is inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Reba McEntire, who was also celebrating her 40th anniversary as an Opry member that night. Bogguss was invited on October 11, 2025 by Kathy Mattea, Terri Clark, and Trisha Yearwood.[3]
- January 17 – Blake Shelton scores his 30th number one single on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with "Stay Country or Die Tryin'", placing him second to Kenny Chesney's 33 for the most number one singles on that chart since its inception in 1990.[4]
- January 24 – Paul Brandt makes a post on X using lyrics from his 2005 single "Alberta Bound" that leads to a controversy, with some viewing it as an endorsement of the Alberta separatism movement[5]
- February 9 – "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley becomes the first song by a female artist (and the fourth song overall) to reach number one on the Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts simultaneously.[6]
- March 2 – Megan Moroney and Ella Langley make history as the first pair of women in country music to top the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard 200 simultaneously. Langley's "Choosin' Texas" spent a second week at number one on the Hot 100, while Moroney's Cloud 9 debuted in the top spot on the albums chart.[7]
- March 10 – Jelly Roll is inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Lainey Wilson. He was invited by Craig Morgan on December 10, 2025.[8]
- March 23 – "Choosin' Texas" becomes the first song by a female artist that topped the Hot Country Songs chart to also spend four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[9]
- April 11 – Justin Moore's "Time's Ticking" reaches number one on the Country Airplay chart in its 67th chart week, setting a new record for the slowest ascent to the top of that chart.[10]
- April 24–26 – The 2026 edition of Stagecoach Festival takes place at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, featuring headline performances from Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Post Malone.[11]
- April 26 – Maddie & Tae play their final show together. The duo announced their plans to split in December 2025, citing Taylor Kerr's wish to spend more time with her family. Maddie Font will continue on as a solo artist.[12]
- May 9 - Chase Matthew's bassist, Carsen Richards, was arrested after a concert. He was accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old autistic child.[13]
Top hits of the year
[edit]The following songs placed within the Top 20 on the Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, or Canada Country charts in 2026:
Singles released by American and Australian artists
[edit]Singles released by Canadian artists
[edit]| Songs | Airplay | Canada | Single | Artist | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | 13 | "A Man Without a Woman" | Dean Brody | [46] |
| — | — | 7 | "Drink Around" | ||
| — | 17 | 10 | "Golden Child" | Meghan Patrick | [47] |
| — | — | 6 | "Going Somewhere" | Tim Hicks | [48] |
| 16 | 3 | 1 | "Hate How You Look" | Josh Ross | [49] |
| — | — | 6 | "Hometown Heroes" | The Reklaws and Dean Brody |
[50] |
| — | — | 9 | "Hurtin' Songs" | Brett Kissel and Dierks Bentley |
[51] |
| — | — | 7 | "I'm Leavin' You" | High Valley | [52] |
| — | — | 8 | "Just Being Me" | Morgan Griffiths | [53] |
| — | — | 7 | "Nobody Roads" | Josh Stumpf | [54] |
| — | — | 15 | "Put It on Me" | Sully Burrows | [55] |
| — | — | 6 | "Scared of Getting Sober" | Josh Ross | [49] |
| — | — | 9 | "Safe Place to Break" | Meghan Patrick | [47] |
| — | — | 18 | "Shooting Star" | Sacha and Restless Road |
[56] |
| — | — | 2 | "Somebody I Know" | James Barker Band | [57] |
| — | — | 4 | "Something Else" | Brock Phillips | [58] |
| — | — | 8 | "Taillight This Town" | Owen Riegling | [59] |
| — | 10 | "Thought About You" | Nate Haller | [60] |
Top new album releases
[edit]| US | Album | Artist | Record label | Release date | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | With Heaven on Top | Zach Bryan | Belting Bronco/Warner | January 9 | [61] |
| 1 | Cloud 9 | Megan Moroney | Sony/Columbia | February 20 | [62] |
| 1 | The Way I Am | Luke Combs | Columbia Nashville | March 20 | [63] |
| 1 | Dandelion | Ella Langley | Columbia Nashville | April 10 | [64] |
| 6 | Songs About Us | Jason Aldean | Broken Bow | April 24 | [65] |
| 2 | Middle of Nowhere | Kacey Musgraves | Lost Highway | May 1 | [66] |
| 9 | Is This Heaven? (EP) | Stella Lefty | Sandlot/Atlantic | May 15 |
Other top albums
[edit]| US | Album | Artist | Record label | Release date | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Heavy on the Soul | Ty Myers | RECORDS | March 27 | [67] |
| 12 | Broken View | Sam Barber | Atlantic Outpost | April 3 | [68] |
| 46 | Age of the Ram | Charley Crockett | Lone Star Rider / Island | April 3 | [69] |
| Deep Water | Cameron Whitcomb | Atlantic | April 17 | [70] | |
| In the Feeling | Owen Riegling | Universal Canada / Big Loud | April 17 | [71] | |
| Deep Blue | Ernest | Big Loud | May 1 | [72] | |
| Wild | Ashley McBryde | Warner Music Nashville | May 8 | [73] | |
| Going Somewhere | Tim Hicks | Open Road | May 22 | ||
| True South | Rodney Atkins | Curb Records | May 29 | [74] | |
| Dream Chaser | Willie Nelson | Legacy Recordings | [75] | ||
| Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes | Don Williams | Craft Recordings | [76] |
Upcoming
[edit]| Album | Artist | Record label | Release date | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flow State | Keith Urban | MCA Records | June 12 | [77] |
| Banks of the Trinity | Cody Johnson | Warner Music Nashville | June 26 | [78] |
| The Tenth Album (Side A) | Dean Brody | Starseed | [79] | |
| Bonfire | The Shires | BMG | July 3 | [80] |
| Dustpiles | Waylon Wyatt | Music Soup/Darkroom | July 17 | [81] |
| Sins of the Father | Brantley Gilbert | Blue Highway | July 24 | |
| Little Miss Twain | Shania Twain | Republic Nashville | [82] | |
| The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales | Shaboozey | American Dogwood/Empire | July 31 | [83] |
| Ashley Cooke | Ashley Cooke | Big Loud | August 14 | |
| Young | Dan + Shay | Warner Nashville | August 21 | [84] |
| Stages | Lauren Alaina | August 28 | [85] | |
| Signs | Luke Bryan | Mercury Nashville | September 18 | |
| That's Just Me | Riley Green | Nashville Harbor | ||
| Heartland Rock and Roll | Corey Kent | Sony Music Nashville | September 26 | [86] |
| Sunriser | Lee Brice | Curb Records | October 2 | [87] |
| Ain't That Bad | Matt Lang | Independent | October 23 | [88] |
Hall of Fame inductees
[edit](announced on March 20, 2026)[89]
Deaths
[edit]- January 6 – Jim McBride, 78, American songwriter ("Chattahoochee")[90]
- January 19 – Billy Parker, 88, American country music singer and DJ.[91]
- February 11 – Jerry Kennedy, 85, American record producer[92]
- February 16 – Brett Jones, 69, American songwriter ("A Little Past Little Rock", "That's How Country Boys Roll", "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away")[93]
- March 22 – Ronnie Bowman, 64, American bluegrass guitarist and singer-songwriter[94]
- April 16 – Don Schlitz, 73, American songwriter (“The Gambler”, “When You Say Nothing at All”, “Forever and Ever, Amen”)[95]
- April 29 – David Allan Coe, 86, American singer-songwriter and outlaw country legend ("You Never Even Called Me by My Name", "Longhaired Redneck", "The Ride")[96]
References
[edit]- ^ Leimkuehler, Matthew (13 January 2026). "How Chris Stapleton's 'Tennessee Whiskey' Became A Record-Breaking Hit". Forbes.
- ^ Sharpe, Josh (14 January 2026). "Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern to Retire at the End of 2026". BroadwayWorld.
- ^ Reiher, Andrea (18 December 2025). "Reba McEntire to Induct '90s Country Icon Into the Grand Ole Opry". Parade.
- ^ Penuell, Russ (January 9, 2026). "Blake Shelton Marks Milestone 30th Country Airplay Chart Leader". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ^ Hunt, Stephen (January 25, 2026). "Singer Paul Brandt teases support for Alberta separatist movement". CTV News Calgary. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ Hahnen, Madison (2026-02-09). "Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' Makes History". MusicRow.com. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Trust, Gary (2026-03-02). "Megan Moroney & Ella Langley Become First Pair of Women in Country Music to Top Billboard 200 & Hot 100 Simultaneously". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ "Jelly Roll Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry". Hits Daily Double. 2026-03-20.
- ^ Trust, Gary (2026-03-23). "Ella Langley Leaps Past Taylor Swift for Country History as 'Choosin' Texas' Tops Hot 100 for 4th Week". Billboard.
- ^ Penuell, Russ (2026-04-03). "Justin Moore's 'Time's Ticking' Clocks Record Run to No. 1 on Country Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-04-03.
- ^ "Stagecoach Festival 2026 Lineup Announced: Post Malone, Lainey Wilson, and More". Pitchfork. 25 September 2025.
- ^ "After "Fifteen Years of Memories," This Award-Winning Country Duo Just Played Their Final Show Together". American Songwriter. 28 April 2026.
- ^ "Chase Matthew Bassist Arrested Abuse Charges". Taste of Country. 18 May 2026.
- ^ a b c "Morgan Wallen - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ a b "Megan Moroney - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^ "Thomas Rhett - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
- ^ "Shaboozey - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Luke Combs - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ella Langley - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "Max McNown - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ^ "Stella Lefty - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ^ "Tucker Wetmore - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ^ "Kenny Chesney - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ^ "Riley Green - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "Bailey Zimmerman - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "Luke Bryan - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ a b "Jason Aldean - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "Ty Myers - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ^ a b "Cody Johnson - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ^ a b "HARDY - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "Hudson Westbrook - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "Rascal Flatts - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ a b "George Birge - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "John Morgan - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "Old Dominion - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ "Chris Janson - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ^ a b "Zach Bryan - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Corey Kent - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^ "Miranda Lambert - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
- ^ "Blake Shelton - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ "Justin Moore - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- ^ "Jordan Davis - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ^ "Dylan Scott - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- ^ "Vincent Mason - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
- ^ "Kane Brown - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^
- "Drink Around": "Canada Country: Week of February 7, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- "A Man Without a Woman": "Canada Country: Week of May 30, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^ a b
- "Golden Child": "Canada Country chart for March 8, 2025". Billboard Canada. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
- "Golden Child" (US): "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- "Safe Place to Break": "Canada Country: Week of May 2, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
- ^
- "Going Somewhere":"Canada Country: Week of March 21, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ^ a b
- "Hate How You Look": "Canada Country: Week of December 13, 2025". Billboard Canada. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- "Hate How You Look" (US): "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- Scared of Getting Sober": "Canada Country: Week of May 30, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^
- "Hometown Heroes": "Canada Country: Week of May 16, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- ^
- "Hurtin' Songs": "Canada Country: Week of April 25, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
- ^
- "I'm Leavin' You": "Canada Country: Week of February 14, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^
- "Just Being Me": "Canada Country: Week of May 30, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^
- "Nobody Roads": "Canada Country: Week of April 11, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- ^
- "Put It on Me": "Canada Country: Week of May 30, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^
- "Shooting Star": "Canada Country: Week of January 3, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^
- "Somebody I Know": "Canada Country: Week of January 24, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^
- "Something Else": "Canada Country: Week of April 18, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ^
- "Tailight This Town": "Canada Country: Week of February 14, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^
- "Thought About You": "Canada Country: Week of May 23, 2026". Billboard Canada. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (2026-01-09). "Zach Bryan's New Album, 'With Heaven on Top,' Is Here". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
- ^ "Megan Moroney Steps Into Her Most Confident Era Yet With New Album, 'Cloud 9'". Country Now. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
- ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (2026-03-24). "Luke Combs Contains Multitudes on 'The Way I Am'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ^ "Ella Langley Announces Sophomore Album, 'Dandelion', Reflects On the Hearts and Stories Behind the Songs". Country Now. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ Black, Lauren Jo (November 7, 2025). "Jason Aldean Reveals 20-Track Songs About Us Album Featuring Wife Brittany, Luke Bryan, & More". Country Now. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ Martoccio, Angie (2026-03-11). "Kacey Musgraves' New Album Was Made 'During the Longest Single Period of My Life'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ^ Daykin, James (January 14, 2026). "Road to C2C 2026: Ty Myers Announces new sophomore album 'Heavy On The Soul'". Entertainment Focus.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (March 27, 2026). "Sam Barber Offers Up 'Just A Kid' From Upcoming New LP 'Broken View'". MusicRow. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
- ^ Hudak, Joseph (February 18, 2026). "Charley Crockett Readies 'Age of the Ram' Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ Zisman, Erica (April 17, 2026). "Here Is Cameron Whitcomb's EP 'Deep Water'". Country Swag. Retrieved April 17, 2026.
- ^ Hahnen, Madison (February 13, 2026). "Owen Riegling 'In The Feeling' On New Album". Music Row. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (March 27, 2026). "ERNEST Gets Into A Tropical State Of Mind On New LP 'Deep Blue'". MusicRow. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
- ^ Daykin, James (March 19, 2026). "Ashley McBryde announces new album 'Wild' and drops 'Bottle Tells Me So'". Entertainment Focus.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (February 17, 2026). "Rodney Atkins Slates First New Project In Seven Years, 'True South,' For May". MusicRow. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
- ^ Young, Casey (March 18, 2026). "Willie Nelson Announces 79th Solo Studio Album, 'Dream Chaser'". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ Newman, Melinda (March 25, 2026). "Lost Song Collection From Late Country Great Don Williams Discovered: Listen to His 'Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight' Cover". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- ^ Daykin, James (29 April 2026). "Keith Urban announces new Yacht Rock-inspired album 'Flow State'". Entertainment Focus.
- ^ "Cody Johnson's 2026 Album, 'Banks of the Trinity': Everything We Know So Far | Holler". holler.country. Retrieved 2026-04-17.
- ^ "Dean Brody Unveils 'The Tenth Album'". Complete Country. May 8, 2026. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
- ^ Daykin, James (3 March 2026). "The Shires announce new album 'Bonfire' and release upbeat lead single 'Getaway Car'". Entertainment Focus.
- ^ Humphrey, Jack (14 May 2026). "Waylon Wyatt Announces Debut Album "Dustpiles"". Country Central.
- ^ Eggleston, Jennifer (January 21, 2026). "Shania Twain Nears Completion of Seventh Studio Album, Plans 2027 Tour". 995qyk.com. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ^ Mickles, Kiana (20 April 2026). "Shaboozey Returns With New Album The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales". Pitchfork.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (2026-05-14). "Dan + Shay Share Snapshots Of Life On New Album 'Young'". MusicRow.
- ^ "Lauren Alaina Shares 'Stages' of Her Life on New Album". Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ^ "Corey Kent Readies 'Heartland Rock and Roll Arriving In September". Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ^ "Lee Brice Delays New Album, Will Release Deluxe Concurrently". Country Insider. April 23, 2026. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ^ "Matt Lang dévoile Ain't That Bad, un 4e album aux allures cinématographiques". Info Lanaudiere. January 8, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ Raye, Miranda (March 20, 2026). "Country Music Hall Of Fame Names 2026 Class Of Honorees". Country Rebel.
- ^ Javon Williams (January 7, 2026). "Alabama Music Hall of Famer, Huntsville native Jim McBride, dies at 78". WAFF. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Legendary KVOO DJ Billy Parker dies at the age of 88
- ^ Oermann, Robert K. (2026-02-13). "Musician/Producer/Exec Jerry Kennedy Passes". MusicRow.com. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
- ^ "William Seaborn "Brett" Jones Obituary February 16, 2026". Williamson Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ Nicholson, Jessica (March 23, 2026). "Ronnie Bowman, Bluegrass Luminary & Hit Country Songwriter, Dies After Motorcycle Accident". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ^ "Don Schlitz, storied country songwriter behind such hits as 'The Gambler,' dies at 73". AP News. 2026-04-17. Retrieved 2026-04-17.
- ^ "David Allan Coe, Singer of the 'Perfect Country and Western Song,' Dead at 86". Rolling Stone. April 29, 2026.