Grand Ole Opry Announces Carter Faith, Jake Worthington, Willow Avalon and More as NextStage 2026 Class
Grand Ole Opry Announces Carter Faith, Jake Worthington, Willow Avalon and More as NextStage 2026 Class
Chris BarillaThu, February 26, 2026 at 8:11 PM UTC
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Willow Avalon in November 2025 in Nashville; Jake Worthington in November 2025 in Nashville; Carter Faith in November 2025 in NashvilleCredit: Emma McIntyre/Getty; Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty -
The Grand Ole Opry announced the 2026 Opry NextStage class
The artists selected include Alexandra Kay, Carter Faith, Emily Ann Roberts, Graham Barham, Hudson Westbrook, Jake Worthington, Tyler Braden, Vincent Mason and Willow Avalon
Stars such as Vince Gill and Ella Langley stopped by the 2026 NextStage unveiling, held at The Grand Ole Opry House on Tuesday, Feb. 24, to share sage advice with the new class
The 2026 Opry NextStage class is finally here!
The yearly unveiling, sponsored by Tecovas, is a focused spotlight on the brightest and most impactful rising stars in country music at the time, and for 2026, the selections succeeded at representing a vast array of stars exploring their own unique niches in the genre.
Unveiled live to an exclusive collective of media and music industry members, of which PEOPLE was in attendance, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Tuesday, Feb. 24, nine country risers were hand-selected to represent the prestigious class — and earn the sacred guidance of the Opry's prestigious members.
For 2026, the artists selected as a part of the NextStage class are Alexandra Kay, Carter Faith, Emily Ann Roberts, Graham Barham, Hudson Westbrook, Jake Worthington, Tyler Braden, Vincent Mason and Willow Avalon.
Dan Rogers, Nicole Judd, Gina Keltner, Kelly Sutton, Hudson Westbrook, Graham Barham, Vince Gill, Emily Ann Roberts, Alexandra Kay, Jake Worthington, Samantha Kane, Lexi Lampin and Jennifer Tressler in February 2026Credit: The Grand Ole Opry
This unique grouping of emerging talent exemplifies everything from traditionalist country music to modern, genre-bending sounds, and offers a wholly accurate look at the landscape of Nashville today.
Kay, 34, who hails from Waterloo, Ill., is a breakout crossover star famous for both her role on Netflix’s series Westside as well as her music prowess, with her indie debut All I've Ever Known hitting #1 globally on iTunes in 2023. She recently wrapped her Second Wind tour at the tail end of 2025, hitting cities across the U.S. from September to November, and will continue taking her music on the road in 2026.
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Faith, 25, a native of Davidson, N.C., is amid a breakout year thanks to the success of her critically-acclaimed 2025 album Cherry Valley. The singer-songwriter has locked in a touring slot with Post Malone in 2026, and is also set to open for the likes of country music legend George Strait and 12-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton during their own respective live shows throughout the coming year.
Roberts, 27, who was born among the Smoky Mountains in Knoxville, Tenn., first came on the radar thanks to a 2016 appearance on The Voice, but truly came into her own as an artist with her 2023 debut Can't Hide Country. The singer's unique blend of relatable songwriting mixed with quick wit and charm has made her a favorite, evident by her recent single, "Whipped," stirring the conversation surrounding what any one individual is willing to do for love.
Barham, 27, from Oak Ride, La., makes songs that may be the least traditionally country of the NextStage class, but the genre lineage is evident in everything from his production to his persona. Blending country, pop and rap sensibilities into something he calls "Club Country," the singer scored a gold record with his hit track "WHISKEY WHISKEY" and is currently amid his WHISKEY RAIN tour, which runs until March.
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Westbrook, 21, born and raised in Stephenville, Texas, came onto the scene strong by securing a No. 1 record with his hit track "House Again," and quickly developed a devout following of fans who have racked up over 1 billion streams on his songs in less than two years. In 2026, he'll be taking to the road with the likes of George Strait and Morgan Wallen.
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Kelly Sutton, Ella Langley, Hudson Westbrook, Tyler Braden, Graham Barham, Emily Ann Roberts, Carter Faith and Jake Worthington in February 2026Credit: The Grand Ole Opry
Worthington, 30, a native of La Porte, Texas, exudes the entirety of what true country music and a honky tonk-informed attitude represents. From locking in early collaborations with Miranda Lambert and Marty Stuart and touring across the country with Zach Top, Worthington has proven that he is definitely deserving of his flowers in country music. Fans can catch the "Hello S-----y Day" creator on tour with the likes of Luke Combs, Luke Bryan and Parker McCollum throughout 2026.
Braden, 33, from Slapout, Ala., came onto the scene strong with his RIAA Platinum-certified hit "DEVIL YOU KNOW," creating enough momentum to launch him into stadium shows with the likes of Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn and Darius Rucker. Fresh off of the release of his new single, "Dry Country," Braden has promised fans a new album by the end of 2026.
Mason, 25, born in Roswell, Ga., catapulted onto the scene thanks to his 2025 single "Hell Is a Dance Floor," which racked up half a billion streams. What followed was his debut project, "There I Go," which blends traditional country sensibilities with acoustic songwriting informed by his equal love for the likes of John Mayer and Turnpike Troubadours. Mason, like Westbrook, is currently set to join Wallen on tour in 2026.
Avalon, 27, from Carlton, Ga., delighted the country music world with her 2025 project Southern Belle Raisin' Hell, creating a momentum that led to her performing alongside the likes of Zach Bryan at 2025's Stagecoach Festival. Her uniquely quick-oscillating vibrato trailing off lyrics has become a signature of her sound, and is something she'll be taking on tour across Europe, the U.K. and Australia solo in 2026, as well as alongside Brooks & Dunn as a part of their headlining tour.
Opry host Kelly Sutton moderated the live panel reveal of the 2026 NextStage class, which Faith, Roberts, Barham, Westbrook, Worthington and Braden attended in-person. Also in attendance were the likes of Vince Gill and Ella Langley, who dropped by to share sage advice with the up-and-coming stars.
"What's beautiful about this place that I've been able to witness over the years is regardless of what your career is doing, has done or will do ... they never turn your back on you [at the Opry]," Gill told the attending class members.
Langley, 26, expressed a similar sentiment, noting that her participation in the Opry NextStage class as a rising artist gave her "community" and "friendship" that she carries to this day.
The artists selected as this year's class will be participating throughout 2026 in Grand Ole Opry-related events and performances, as well as in dedicated Opry NextStage showcases at various festivals and installations.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
