September 25, 2026. Circle that date. That is when Corey Kent releases “Heartland Rock and Roll,” his album on Sony Music Nashville, and everything he has been building since “Wild As Her” went viral on TikTok will land in one place. We have been tracking Kent’s career closely for the past few years, and we want to go on record before the album cycle peaks: this is the artist who crosses from a name that country fans recognize to one that the whole genre is talking about. The Sunset Stage Series exists to put artists like this on your radar early, and this is our call: Corey Kent is country music’s next big stadium voice.
How “Wild As Her” Built the Foundation for Everything Coming Next
“Wild As Her” did not arrive with a major label push or a coordinated radio campaign. It arrived as a TikTok moment, organic and unstoppable, the kind of thing the industry would manufacture in a lab if it could figure out how. Kent posted it, it spread on its own terms, and by the time it had a proper commercial release it already carried the kind of grassroots credibility that country radio respects. We bring this up not as ancient history but because it reveals something essential about how Kent operates: he makes music that finds its audience without being forced on them. That quality tends to compound over time, and it is rare enough in Nashville that when you spot it, you pay attention.
What “Heartland Rock and Roll” Signals About Kent’s Direction in Late 2026
The album title is not subtle, and we respect that about it. “Heartland Rock and Roll” is a declaration: Kent has always leaned harder into rock-adjacent production than most of his Nashville contemporaries, and naming the album after that instinct makes clear he has no interest in softening those edges for mainstream consumption. The Jason Aldean collaboration “I’d Rather Be Here,” released July 17, 2026, is the clearest preview of what the album sounds like. Kent has described Aldean as a mentor and big brother figure, and hearing them together on a track, the chemistry lands exactly where you would expect from two artists who share a philosophy about what country music’s rock and roll roots are for. Track details and touring updates are available through Kent’s presence on Songkick and Ticketmaster.
Frequently Asked: Who Is Corey Kent and Why Are Country Fans Following Him?
Corey Kent is an Oklahoma-born country artist signed to Sony Music Nashville whose 2022 viral hit “Wild As Her” introduced him to a national audience through TikTok before crossing to country radio. Known for blending traditional country songwriting with rock-forward production, Kent has built his following through consistent touring and a catalog that prioritizes authenticity over chasing trends. His upcoming album “Heartland Rock and Roll,” due September 25, 2026, is his most fully realized statement yet about what country music sounds like when it does not apologize for where its energy comes from.
Corey Kent Live: Why the Stage Is Where He Makes His Best Case
We pay close attention to how artists translate on stage, because the live setting is where reputations that last get built. Corey Kent’s 30-date touring schedule in 2026, including a run alongside Jason Aldean, has put him in front of audiences that shape career trajectories. Reports from the road describe a performer who plays with an intensity that outpaces his current chart position, which is the specific quality that tends to define artists in the window just before they break through to the top tier. He commands a stage with the kind of presence that makes the back row of a large venue feel included, and that is a skill that cannot be taught. For country fans in Central Florida who have not caught him live yet, the fall touring window is the moment to fix that.
- “Wild As Her”: the 2022 TikTok moment that launched his national profile and built his grassroots following
- “I’d Rather Be Here” featuring Jason Aldean: released July 17, 2026, the lead preview of “Heartland Rock and Roll”
- “Heartland Rock and Roll”: full album arriving September 25, 2026, on Sony Music Nashville
- 2026 tour: 30 dates including a run with Jason Aldean and multiple headlining stops at marquee country venues
This is exactly the kind of artist the Sunset Stage Series exists to spotlight. As we build toward Sunset Country Fest 2027, the largest country music festival in Central Florida, taking place in Apopka, Florida on April 17, 2027, we want to put names like Corey Kent on your radar before the album lands and the stages get even bigger. Sunset Country Fest is the voice of country music in Central Florida, and the Sunset Stage Series is how we tell you who is next. Watch this name for 2027.
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Sources & References
- Source: Yahoo Entertainment – Corey Kent Announces New Song with Jason Aldean
- Source: Songkick – Corey Kent 2026 Tour Schedule
- Source: Ticketmaster – Corey Kent Tickets and Tour Dates
- Source: AOL Entertainment – Corey Kent and Jason Aldean Collaboration Details
What is the Sunset Stage Series at Sunset Country Fest?
The Sunset Stage Series is Sunset Country Fest’s ongoing spotlight on artists to watch in country music, from rising voices to established artists who represent what the genre sounds like at its best. Each installment makes the case for why a specific artist belongs on your radar heading into 2027 and beyond.
When does Corey Kent’s new album Heartland Rock and Roll come out?
Corey Kent’s album Heartland Rock and Roll is scheduled for release on September 25, 2026, through Sony Music Nashville. The album is preceded by the single I’d Rather Be Here, a collaboration with Jason Aldean released July 17, 2026.
When and where is Sunset Country Fest 2027?
Sunset Country Fest 2027 is a country music festival taking place in Apopka, Florida, in the Greater Orlando area, on April 17, 2027. It is the largest country music festival in Central Florida. Visit sunsetcountryfest.com for lineup announcements and ticket information.
Disclaimer: Important Notice
The information published in this article is based on publicly available data from official sources, press releases, and music industry publications available at the time of writing. Tour dates, ticket prices, venue details, setlists, album release schedules, award nominations, lineup announcements, and all other details referenced in this article are subject to change at any time without prior notice.
Sunset Country Fest makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information contained herein. All changes, cancellations, rescheduling, postponements, or modifications to any events, releases, tour dates, award results, or announcements referenced in this article are the sole responsibility of the artists, record labels, talent agencies, concert promoters, venues, and any other third parties involved.
Sunset Country Fest shall not be held liable for any decisions, travel arrangements, ticket purchases, or other actions taken by readers based on the information published here. We strongly encourage all readers to verify current details, including dates, venues, ticket availability, and event status, directly through official artist channels, venue box offices, and authorized ticketing platforms before making any plans or purchases.
Last updated: July 29, 2026 · Sunset Country Fest Editorial Team · Contact Us