8 male country artists making waves in the music industry this year
In the ever-expanding lineup of best new country artists, there's no shortage of up-and-coming country dudes. From folky songwriters to throwback crooners and rural rock stars, there's something for every kind of fan – and The Tennessean is here to keep you in the know.
These are just a few of the rising male country artists who could make waves in late 2026.
Wyatt Flores
A Mexican-American artist with Oklahoma roots, Wyatt Flores has been building respect as both a songwriter and performer since he released a pair of independent hits in 2022. Grounding lyrical songs in a rootsy Red-Dirt sound, his melodies often focus on both ranch life and relationship dynamics. His second album, "Scared of Heights," comes out July 31 and explores a new heartland rock sound.
Sam Barber
Few artists have made a bigger debut splash than Missouri-born, Montana-based singer-songwriter Sam Barber. With a raw, folk-influenced take on country (in the Zach Bryan vein), his TikTok breakout led to a 2024 debut which brought in over 3 billion streams, powered by a grassroots fanbase. He followed up with 2026's "Broken View" and was named Breakthrough Country Artist at the 2026 American Music Awards.
Morgan Wallen
No one has come to define country music post-2020 like Morgan Wallen. Whether it was kicking off the trend of double-length album releases, or creating a dusky new modern-country sound, the East Tennessee native is a groundbreaking trailblazer. His heartfelt song dedicated to his son, "Superman," showed Wallen's emotional range as an artist. After dropping the chart-dominating 37-track album "I'm the Problem" in 2025, Wallen continues to set new standards with his stadium-filling Still The Problem Tour 2026.
Shaboozey
Virginia-born singer-songwriter Shaboozey is a one-of-a-kind artist whose unique fusion of country and hip-hop has made a massive impact on the whole genre. His most popular theme is a country staple: drinking and getting rowdy. After his hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, he quickly became one of the brightest new stars in modern country. Next he'll be releasing an ambitious new concept album, titled "The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales," on July 31, telling a gripping tale of betrayal, romance, and redemption.
Luke Combs
Luke Combs is already one of the most respected and consistent stars in country music, and he's only getting better. His songs about fatherhood and family show diverse perspectives on love through country storytelling. After scoring a record 20 consecutive No. 1 singles, his output has eclipsed giants like George Strait and Brooks & Dunn. So far in 2026 he has released yet another chart-topper – this time his 22-track album "The Way I Am." Combs' My Kinda Saturday Night Tour continues to fill venues from Evansville, Indiana, to the biggest cities in Europe.
Cody Johnson
Rising out of the independent Texas country scene, Cody Johnson is currently reigning as ACM Entertainer of the Year. The Western-coded pure-country star performs like a lion and sings like an open-hearted cowboy. When he's not playing music, he's probably working on his expansive ranch with cattle and horses. He has racked up almost 8 billion global career streams, and he may just be getting started. His Live in '26 Tour is ongoing. Plus, he just released his sixth studio album, "Banks of the Trinity."
Max McNown
Country fans on social media may have had a hard time escaping Max McNown in 2025, since tracks like "Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)" were everywhere. With smooth, smoky vocals and a soulful indie-folk sound, his rise from street-busking and empty festival sets to the Grand Ole Opry and beyond won him a diverse fanbase. He's currently playing concerts across the country as part of The Cost of Growing Up Tour.
Vincent Mason
Georgia-born singer-songwriter Vincent Mason has been on everyone's best new country artists list for at least two years – and for good reason. Boasting acoustic-folk sensibilities, "Hell Is a Dancefloor" hit in 2024 and boosted his profile. He followed up with a Southern rock sway on the 2025 album "There I Go." His 2026 duets with his girlfriend, fellow country star Stella Lefty, have him primed to be the genre's next breakout star.
These are just some of the male country artists who could help define the genre in the year to come. From established superstars to fresh faces, each one has the potential to capture the spotlight and change the paradigm forever.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 8 male country artists making waves in the music industry this year
