The Sunset Stage Series: Conner Smith and the Songs Built to Last

Conner Smith, the Nashville-born singer-songwriter signed to Big Machine Label Group, made history in 2024 when his single “Creek Will Rise” became the first song ever to reach No. 1 on the UK Country Airplay chart, a milestone that signaled a country artist whose appeal stretches well beyond Nashville’s traditional borders. His 2024 album SMOKY MOUNTAINS paired Appalachian soul with modern country production, and 2026 finds Smith building on that foundation with festival bookings at Carolina Country Music Fest (June 4-7, Myrtle Beach, SC) and a fall run supporting Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour. This is The Sunset Stage Series, and Conner Smith is one of the most complete storytellers on the circuit right now.

Creek Will Rise: The Song That Changed the Map

“Creek Will Rise” is not a typical breakthrough single. It became a multi-week No. 1 on the UK Country Airplay chart, a Gold-certified hit in the US, and a live set cornerstone that turns casual listeners into loyal fans by the second chorus. The song captures something specific and timeless: the way a summer storm transforms an ordinary afternoon into something worth remembering. Taste of Country praised it as a “blazing” track that showcases Smith’s vocal power and emotional specificity. His writing partners on the track, Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, and Parker Welling, helped build a song that plays as naturally on mainstream country radio as it does echoing off the walls of a festival amphitheater. That dual reach is rare and it is exactly what festival programmers look for.

SMOKY MOUNTAINS: An Album Built to Last

SMOKY MOUNTAINS arrived as Smith’s full artistic statement: 12 tracks that honor Appalachian roots without retreating into nostalgia. The album’s centerpiece storytelling track, “Meanwhile In Carolina,” was described by press as a “masterclass in country songwriting” for its interwoven narrative structure. Smith draws on a genuine connection to the landscapes he writes about, a quality that listeners can hear and that separates his work from surface-level landscape imagery. Earlier GOLD-certified hits “Take It Slow” and “Learn From It” established Smith as an artist with staying power before the album arrived, and SMOKY MOUNTAINS proved the early signals right. The record stands as one of the most fully realized debut-cycle statements in country music from the 2024-2026 period.

2026 Live Calendar: Festivals, Tours, and Growing Stages

Smith’s 2026 live schedule reflects an artist moving confidently up the bill. He performs at Carolina Country Music Fest June 4-7, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, one of the East Coast’s premier outdoor country events. He also appears at Barefoot Country Music Fest and rejoins Luke Bryan as direct support on the Farm Tour this fall, a slot that will put him in front of some of the largest stadium crowds in country music. Tickets for upcoming Conner Smith dates are available at Ticketmaster. Every one of these dates is a class in how to earn a bigger stage for yourself: show up, deliver, and let the songs do the work. Watch this name for 2027. Conner Smith is exactly the kind of act that belongs on a festival stage.

• Artist: Conner Smith, Nashville, TN (Big Machine Label Group)
• Album: SMOKY MOUNTAINS (2024)
• Certified hits: “Creek Will Rise” (Gold), “Take It Slow” (Gold), “Learn From It” (Gold)
• Historic milestone: First artist to reach No. 1 on UK Country Airplay (“Creek Will Rise”)
• June 4-7, 2026: Carolina Country Music Fest, Myrtle Beach, SC
• Fall 2026: Direct support, Luke Bryan Farm Tour

Frequently Asked: Where is Conner Smith performing in 2026?

Conner Smith is performing at Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach, SC on June 4-7, 2026, and at Barefoot Country Music Fest. He also rejoins Luke Bryan as direct support on the Farm Tour in fall 2026. For a full list of upcoming dates, visit connersmithmusic.com/shows.

Sources & References

• Conner Smith: Official Website
• Taste of Country: Conner Smith Soaks up the Moment in Blazing Creek Will Rise
• Big Machine Label Group: Conner Smith Delivers Meanwhile In Carolina
• Ticketmaster: Conner Smith 2026 Tour Dates and Tickets
• Carolina Country Music Fest: Conner Smith

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.

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Last updated: May 30, 2026 · Sunset Country Fest Editorial Team · Contact Us