Kentucky musicians on the rise in 2026 (one’s been singled out by Billy Strings)

With each passing year it seems that Kentucky’s music scene, from the artists and their accomplishments to the people that show up for them, only grows stronger.

Not only have familiar faces like Tyler Childers remained in the spotlight courtesy of his GRAMMY-nominated record “Snipe Hunter,” but up-and-comers like Bill Taylor and Jordan Allen have also gained traction following stints on TV competitions “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice.”

Others like Danville native Aaron Raitiere have thrived behind the scenes as a co-writer for the likes of Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert. Then there’s Anne Wilson, who unveiled her new album “Stars” while also spending time on the road opening up for Morgan Wallen and hosting a tornado benefit concert at The Corbin Arena.

It’s safe to say there’s so much going on with Kentucky music that if you blink you may miss it. With that in mind, stay ahead of schedule by learning about six in-state musicians to keep an eye on in 2026 below.

Adam Chaffins

The husband to fellow Kentuckian (and 2021 artist to watch) Brit Taylor, Adam Chaffins will be busy on all fronts in 2026 — as a first time father to newborn Beulah, as a producer for new music from his wife and as a writer and producer on a slew of fresh tunes under his own name like “Fleamarket,” “King of Coal Dust County,” and “You Get Drunk and I’ll Get High.” With a deep country croon that’ll take you back to greats like George Jones and Merle Haggard, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on the former Town Mountain bassist and his music moving forward.

Lindsey Elam

Even though she’s laid low for the past year while navigating motherhood for the first time, Ashland singer Lindsey Elam has still managed to make waves with her matter of fact missives and poetic storytelling. However, she plans to shift into overdrive in 2026 with eyes on the release of her debut record in September. All the while she’ll also be juggling responsibilities at Grateful Spirits, an Ironton, Ohio-based craft cocktail business she’s a partner in with her husband, Aaron, that recently served over 5,000 drinks at the Healing Appalachia music festival in September that was headlined by Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton.

Myles Gee

At only 14 years old, Madisonville’s Myles Gee is already taking the music industry by storm. The youthful picker has amassed over 70,000 Instagram followers the past few years including bluegrass phenom Billy Strings, who invited Gee up on stage to play with him at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in March 2024.

Since then Gee’s stock has continued to rise as he eyes releasing his long-awaited debut record in 2026. But that’s not all that’s on his radar — Gee is also set to be a contestant on a reboot of the popular ’80s and ’90s television program “Star Search” coming to Netflix in February.

Low Gap

The Southern Ohio and Eastern Kentucky outfit led by brothers Gus and Phin Johnson have been cranking out infectious country licks and touring relentlessly since 2021, when they first went viral with their song “Mockingbird.” Despite being only 20 and 18 years old and going through college at UK and the University of Cincinnati, the band dropped several new tunes in 2025 — like their third million-stream single “If a Song Could Change Your Mind” — leading up to their second full-length record, “Geneva,” coming Jan. 16.

Them Lasses & The Old Dogs

Since forming in 2022, the Winchester-based collective Them Lasses & The Old Dogs — Abby Rank, Brittany Dawn Samples, Erin Sliney, Collin Wallace, Randon Uhrig and Ryan Shelton — have charmed Central Kentucky concert-goers with their musical mission of spreading joy through harmony and sunflowers. After dropping its debut album in 2024, the group has gone on to perform at festivals like HollerGirl and Moonshiner’s Ball while also being hard at work establishing their own barn venue to host everything from shows to gardening workshops and tea parties at. Meanwhile, they’re also beginning to lay the foundation for their highly anticipated sophomore album in the new year as well.

Gracie Yates

After a momentous 2025 that included shows across the country and a fiery collab with Pennsylvania group Smilo & The Ghost, Elizabethtown’s Gracie Yates is poised to break out even further in the new year. The singer’s mix of rock, country and soulful sounds pulls listeners in from the first note on tunes like “One Hit Wonder” and “Unholy” whether she is singing solo or backed by her new band that also features her musical partner, Brock Burton. With more new music and even more shows on the way in 2026, chances are you’ll be hearing a lot more about Yates in the months ahead.