Country Music Stars Light Up Campus, Radio, and TV in Early September
On September 5, 2026, country singer Kane Brown delivered an exclusive concert for Amazon Music’s “Off to College” series at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The event, presented by Amazon Music, was streamed live on Prime Video and Twitch and featured Brown’s most recent releases, including “Woman” and “Boots,” alongside his established hits. Students received free tickets via an email link sent on August 24, and the concert’s setlist reflected Brown’s current musical direction.
A few days later, on September 7, Gabby Barrett appeared on CBS’s new sports‑entertainment special America’s Tailgate on CBS. Barrett performed her new single “In On It” and joined chef Keith Corbin in a segment that highlighted game‑day foods. The segment included Barrett’s signature sandwich, “The Gabby,” created in partnership with Pittsburgh‑based Primanti Bros. The special also featured performances by Chase Rice, John Legend, and Sheryl Crow, and is available for streaming on CBS’s platforms.
In the same week, Warren Zeiders visited the SiriusXM Nashville office for an interview with Buzz Brainard. During the visit, Zeiders previewed tracks from his forthcoming album No Brakes, scheduled for release on September 25 through Warner Records. The interview provided listeners with an early look at the album’s themes and production.
Carly Pearce marked a milestone on September 5, celebrating five years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The same day, she released her album Honest Woman in collaboration with BBR Music Group. Pearce’s Opry anniversary and new album release were highlighted in industry trade publications.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a book talk on the weekend of September 5–6 featuring country artist and cardiologist Cleve Francis. Francis read from his autobiography, Do My Heart Good: My Odyssey Through Country Music, Medicine, and History, co‑published by CMF Press and the University of Illinois Press. He also performed and signed copies of the book, with the program led by the museum’s Senior Director of Editorial, Paul Kingsbury. Francis made his Grand Ole Opry debut as a featured performer during the same weekend.
Ana Cristina Cash held a songwriter session at the Country Music Hall of Fame on August 29, performing songs from her bilingual country album The Sunshine State and sharing the stories behind the tracks. Cash was accompanied by guitarist Dave Daeger.
Other industry news from the week includes George Birge’s signing with Black River Entertainment, announced on September 9, and the Billboard designation of “Choosin’ Texas” as the Song of the Summer for 2026.
These events illustrate the continued vibrancy of country music across multiple platforms—live campus concerts, streaming services, television specials, radio interviews, and museum‑based literary events—while highlighting the genre’s crossover appeal and the ongoing support of established and emerging artists.
The industry will continue to monitor the reception of No Brakes upon its September 25 release, the impact of Amazon Music’s campus‑based concert model, and the commercial performance of Honest Woman and Choosin’ Texas in the coming weeks.
