Pandora Unveils 2026 Country Artists To Watch [Exclusive]

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Pandora has named its 2026 Artists To Watch-Country list.

For 11 years, Pandora has annually recognized rising country artists, continuing to change the way new music is consumed. The 10 artists that Pandora expect to have a major impact in 2026 include Atlus, Blake Whiten, Brandon Wisham, Elizabeth Nichols, Gavin Adcock, Greylan James, Jackson Wendell, Kevin Powers, Thelma & James and Zach John King.

Atlus began writing songs while working as a commercial truck driver, crafting lyrics on the road to support his family and pay for studio time. That grind helped him build a devoted underground following, now boasting millions of streams, millions of followers, and a Platinum single. His label debut EP with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, Secondhand Smoke, arrived in October, with breakout track “Devil Ain’t Done” already gaining traction.

Whiten pairs gritty authenticity with a modern edge. His breakout single “Rollin’ Stone” has topped 27 million streams on Pandora, earning him a devoted fan base and spins on Pandora’s The 615: Today’s Country. Featured on his debut EP Six Mile, the track showcases Whiten’s gift for transforming personal stories into universally resonant songs. His newest release, “Hard to Break,” continues that momentum.

At just 22, Wisham is armed with raw talent and a natural storyteller’s instinct. He wrote his very first song, “Pain Won’t Last,” at 19, a track that caught the attention of Bailey Zimmerman, who recorded it for his multi-platinum Religiously. The Album. and brought Wisham on his 2024 U.S. tour. Wisham kicked off 2025 with a string of new singles that helped earn him the title of SiriusXM Highway Find and strong support across Pandora. His latest release, “Growin’ Up,” is climbing The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown as he continues a packed touring schedule, joining major acts like Tyler Hubbard, Lakeview, Chase Matthews, Nate Smith, Austin Snell, and landing coveted festival slots at Stagecoach and Tortuga in 2026.

Within months of moving to Nashville, Nichols racked up over a million Pandora streams across stations like Blue Sky: Country Pop. Known for her sharp wit and candid take on modern life, she first captured attention with the viral hit “I Got a New One.” Her debut EP, Tough Love, arrived in June, followed by new standouts like the emotional “Daughter” and “Little Birds.” In less than a year, Nichols has played her first live show, toured with top country artists, made her Grand Ole Opry debut, and performed at iconic venues and events such as the Bluebird Café, CMA Fest, and even the Kentucky Derby.

With more than 135 million Pandora streams and major support from The 615: Today’s Country and Country Grit, Adcock is quickly becoming the face of country rock’s resurgence. SiriusXM’s The Highway has championed five of his releases, and his explosive 2025 momentum has made him one of the genre’s fastest-rising, most talked-about newcomers. Personally selected by Morgan Wallen as direct support on his 2025 and 2026 tours, Adcock brings a high-octane blend of Southern rock grit, bold lyricism, and rowdy energy. Known for his viral breakout and electric live shows, Adcock channels the raw spirit of the South into every performance.

Since moving to Nashville eight years ago, James has become a sought-out songwriter, earning cuts from Kenny Chesney, Morgan Wallen, Cole Swindell, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Bailey Zimmerman, and BRELAND, among others. His catalog includes three No. 1 hits and an ACM Song of the Year win for co-writing Jordan Davis’ smash “Next Thing You Know.” Pandora has driven more than 24 million streams across The 615 Today’s Country and Backroads, while SiriusXM’s The Highway has played seven of his songs in the past two years.

Wendell is a rising Texas singer-songwriter known for pairing heartfelt storytelling with a fresh, youthful edge. Raised in Lufkin, Texas, he wrote his first song at just 14 and has been refining his craft ever since. His music blends traditional country instrumentation with honest reflections on love, loss, and growing up—creating a sound that resonates far beyond his years. Wendell’s songs continue to find a welcoming home on Pandora, where “Devil’s Hardwoods” has received dedicated platform support.

Powers is redefining modern country as the first artist signed to Shaboozey’s American Dogwood Records, blending genre-bending production with heartfelt storytelling. Both a standout songwriter and a dynamic artist, Powers co-wrote the hit “Amen” by Shaboozey and Jelly Roll before releasing his own rising single “Move On,” which has already surpassed 8 million global streams since its September debut and is gaining momentum on Pandora. With new music coming, an EP slated for April 2026, and a spot on “The Great American Road Show Tour”, Powers is solidifying himself as one of country music’s most exciting new breakout acts.

Thelma & James, married Nashville singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, are emerging leaders in country and Americana’s modern renaissance, blending rootsy instrumentation with polished, genre-stretching songwriting. The duo formed organically after an impromptu writing session and performance video that drew praise from John Mayer, Luke Combs, Brandi Carlile, and more. Their breakout song “Happy Ever After You” has earned over 17 million streams and strong Pandora support across stations like The Nashville Dive and This Year in Americana. In 2025, the pair signed with Big Loud Records and released their debut EP Starting Over.

Fusing the introspection of a roots poet with the raw edge of alt-rock, Sony Music Nashville artist King is pushing country music into bold new territory, unfiltered, emotional, and unmistakably his own. The past 18 months have been transformative for King. He released his latest EP Slow Down, toured as an opener on Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem Tour,” joined Luke Bryan’s “2025 Farm Tour,” and hit the road with Dylan Scott and Gavin Adcock. In 2026, he’ll reunite with Morgan Wallen for the “Still The Problem Tour,” perform at Stagecoach, and tour with Riley Green.

Madison Hahnen
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