KASHUS CULPEPPER, THELMA & JAMES, ALEX LAMBERT, COLEMAN JENNINGS, WAYLON PAYNE AND NATHAN BESS TO PERFORM
SET FOR SEPTEMBER 15, 4-6:30 P.M.
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, Big Loud announces its second annual AMERICANAFEST Showcase, in partnership with Aviator Nation Dreamland. The curated special event will highlight the genre’s remarkable talent with performances by Kashus Culpepper, Thelma & James, Coleman Jennings, Alex Lambert, Nathan Bess and Waylon Payne. Set for Tuesday, September 15, the event will begin at 4 p.m. and is open to all ages. Admission is free on a first-come first-served basis, RSVP here.
Kashus Culpepper: In just two years since his first release, Alabama-born artist-writer Kashus Culpepper has emerged as one of music’s most exciting new voices. Nominated for Americana Honors & Awards Emerging Act of the Year, Culpepper’s distinct sound and lauded debut album Act I have earned him critical acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone, Billboard, SPIN and more. He has landed on numerous prestigious artist-to-watch lists and shared the stage with the likes of Leon Bridges, Sierra Ferrell and more.
Thelma & James: Thelma & James have quickly turned an unexpected musical partnership into one of country music’s most talked-about new acts. Formed by married Nashville-based singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, the duo recently earned their first ACM Award nomination and wrapped their first stadium tour with Luke Combs. Their breakout song “Happy Ever After You” has surpassed 30 million global streams and set the scene for resonating new songs like “Home In Your Broken Heart” and “Alternate Ending.”
Alex Lambert: Singer-songwriter Alex Lambert is carving out a distinct place in music with his soulful sound and affinity for country, R&B and timeless groove. The Texas native announced his signing with Big Loud Texas in January, joining the buzzed-about imprint founded by Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall. Drawing influence from artists like John Legend, Amos Lee, Kacey Musgraves and Leon Bridges, Lambert’s fan-favorite songs like “Think I’m In Love” and “You Make Sense To Me” serve as statements of artistic intent. Recently touring with Paul Cauthen, Lambert will join Billy Currington and Kip Moore on the road this month and next, with headline dates in September as well.
Coleman Jennings: With a hypnotic vibrato made to cut through the haze of modern life, and an old-school dedication to Western twang, Big Loud Texas singer-songwriter Coleman Jennings can seem like a conduit to a different time – or even, a different spiritual plane. Earlier this year the country provocateur raised his distinctive voice for all to hear on his debut record Lead You Home, working with lauded GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Dave Cobb to bring the 10 riveting songs to life. Never afraid to call out dull conventionality, the Texas native is a student of music with inspirations like Townes Van Zandt, The Eagles, Blaze Foley, John Hartford and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Waylon Payne: A poetic outlaw, Waylon Payne made an indelible mark with his timeless debut album The Drifter. Building on the legacy of that album and the widespread acclaim of Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me, Payne’s Big Loud Texas debut, Wayward, is out now. The son of GRAMMY® Award-winning country singer Sammi Smith and Jody Payne of Willie Nelson’s band, he dons the name of his godfather Waylon Jennings. Multi-talented with the charm of a seasoned entertainer, Waylon appeared in the award-winning Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line and biopic Crazy.
Nathan Bess: Hailing from the hills of Charleston, West Virginia, Nathan Bess writes songs that cut to the bone of Appalachian life. A full-time firefighter, his music explores the struggles, stories and resilience of his home state – following in the footsteps of Appalachian country music stalwarts like Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson. Focused on the next chapter in his career, Bess looks to continue the tradition of American storytelling as one of the most promising new artists in the space.
ABOUT BIG LOUD RECORDS
Recently celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Big Loud Records’ head-turning success story began in 2015. Counting over 102 billion global on-demand streams, 38 No. 1 U.S. country airplay hits, 60 No. 1 country hits across international territories, three history-making Billboard Hot 100 all-genre No. 1s, over 150 RIAA certified titles, and more, the Big Loud Records roster is home to genre standouts Alex Lambert, Ashley Cooke, Brock Phillips, Chandler Walters, Charles Wesley Godwin, Cody Lohden, Coleman Jennings, Dallas Smith, Dylan Gossett, ERNEST, Hailey Benedict, HARDY, HIXTAPE, Jake Worthington, Julianna Rankin, Kashus Culpepper, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Watkins, MacKenzie Porter, Morgan Wallen, Owen Riegling, Stephen Wilson Jr., The 502’s, The Droptines, Thelma & James, Timmy McKeever and Waylon Payne. Big Loud Records was honored as the No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songs Label in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 + 2025, the 2022, 2023, 2024 + 2025 MusicRow Label Group of the Year and was named Platinum Labelat the 2021, 2023 + 2025 CRS / Country Aircheck Awards. Big Loud was also the Country Aircheck/Mediabase Label of the Year in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and CCMA Record Company of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
ABOUT AVIATOR NATION DREAMLAND
Aviator Nation Dreamland is an event space, music venue, bar and restaurant established in 2020 by Aviator Nation founder, Paige Mycoskie. Originally launched in Malibu, California, Dreamland was created as a home for music and entertainment, offering the highest quality sound for an intimate venue on the west side of Los Angeles. The Malibu location carries a deep musical legacy. When the building was known as the Malibu Inn, it hosted legendary performances by artists like The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and The Beach Boys. Even earlier, in the 1970s, Neil Young owned the property and dubbed it the Crazy Horse Saloon. Inspired by this rich history, Mycoskie transformed the space into a vibrant tribute to music and artistic expression. With immersive sound, a creative build-out, and sweeping views of one of the world’s best surf spots, Dreamland Malibu offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Now, that experience expands to Nashville. This new venue blends Malibu’s laid-back luxury with Nashville’s deep-rooted musical culture, offering an unforgettable destination for both locals and visitors. With world-class sound, an artistic atmosphere, and a passion for music at its core, Dreamland continues to be an experience like no other—no matter which city you’re in. With two iconic venues and 20 Aviator Nation retail stores, we offer endless opportunities to collaborate with like-minded partners. We’re building a culture driven movement that extends far beyond the stage.
ABOUT AMERICANAFEST
AMERICANAFEST brings together hundreds of showcasing artists, industry leaders and music fans throughout the most notable venues in Nashville, Tennessee. To complement the nightly official showcases curated by a festival committee, multiple special events during the day allow agencies, labels and other industry entities to highlight their roster. The destination event also offers a three-day educational conference with networking opportunities, numerous panels, and premium industry interaction. The annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony at Ryman Auditorium recognizes the groundbreaking figures of Americana music and celebrates the music achievements of the past year. AMERICANAFEST serves as a fundraiser supporting the initiatives of the Americana Music Association and its Foundation and will take place in Nashville from September 15-19, 2026.
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Media Contacts
Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud
