We have been watching Corey Kent build toward this moment for years. Every packed honky-tonk night, every hard-charging show at Billy Bob’s Texas, every single that blurred the line between country soul and Southern rock pointed toward something bigger. Now it is officially here: Heartland Rock and Roll, his 16-track album arriving September 25 via Sony Music Nashville. We dug through every released single and interview we could find, and this is the country artist spotlight we are most excited to write this month. Corey Kent is not rising anymore. He has arrived.
What Heartland Rock and Roll Actually Sounds Like
“This is really the first time I’ve been able to finally name what I’ve been working toward my whole career,” Kent told press when the album was announced. That quote hit us differently after listening to every released preview. Heartland Rock and Roll does not try to split the difference between country and rock, it commits fully to both. Warm, distorted guitars grind underneath raspy country soul vocals, and the production by Austin Goodloe (with additional contributions from Jon Randall and Chris Farren) gives the whole thing a muscular, cinematic quality.
This is small-town America turned up loud. The album’s rootedness in Oklahoma, where Kent grew up, runs through every track like red clay soil. There is grit here that feels earned, not performed. For country fans in Central Florida who have been looking for music with that kind of backbone, this record is for you.
The Singles That Led Us Here
Corey Kent has been rolling out previews of Heartland Rock and Roll all year, and each one has added something new to the picture. The first major look came with “Rocky Mountain Low” featuring Koe Wetzel, a track that puts two of country’s most raw, unfiltered voices in the same room and just lets it rip. The collaboration works because both artists share a commitment to emotional honesty over surface shine.
Then came “Empty Words” and “Wannabe,” which together showed the range of the album: one introspective and slow-burning, the other charged with energy and forward momentum. Most recently, Kent unveiled “Cigarette Burns”, released alongside the full album announcement, and it might be the best distillation of what this record is. Rock pulse, country soul, Oklahoma dust. We have had it on repeat.
He also released “I’d Rather Be Here” with Jason Aldean in July, which gave the broader country audience a chance to hear Kent alongside one of the genre’s biggest names. The collaboration confirmed what his core fans have known for years: Corey Kent belongs in the conversation at the highest level.
Why Corey Kent’s Timing Could Not Be Better
Country music in 2026 is in the middle of a fascinating moment of identity. On one side, the genre’s mainstream leans pop and crossover. On the other, a wave of artists are planting a flag for roots authenticity, Southern rock DNA, and uncompromising storytelling. Corey Kent is squarely in that second camp, and the audience for it has never been larger.
We have watched artists like Zach Bryan and Koe Wetzel build enormous followings by being themselves, refusing to sand down the rough edges. Corey Kent operates in that same spirit. His trajectory, from Texas venue regular to Sony Music Nashville artist with a full album dropping in a crowded fall season, is one of the better underdog stories in country music right now. We are tracking it closely as we build our editorial voice at Sunset Country Fest, because artists like Kent are exactly who a stage like ours is designed to showcase.
- Artist: Corey Kent
- Album: Heartland Rock and Roll
- Release date: September 25, 2026
- Label: Sony Music Nashville
- Producers: Austin Goodloe, Jon Randall, Chris Farren
- Singles released: “Rocky Mountain Low” feat. Koe Wetzel, “Empty Words,” “Wannabe,” “Cigarette Burns,” “I’d Rather Be Here” feat. Jason Aldean
- Sound: Country soul meets Southern rock, Oklahoma-rooted, unapologetically loud
Frequently Asked: Who Is Corey Kent and Why Is He Getting Attention in 2026?
Corey Kent is an Oklahoma-born country artist signed to Sony Music Nashville whose music blends traditional country songwriting with Southern rock energy. His 2026 album Heartland Rock and Roll arrives September 25 and follows years of building a devoted touring fanbase across Texas and the South. He is known for his raw vocal delivery, guitar-driven sound, and collaborations with Koe Wetzel and Jason Aldean. Kent is widely considered one of the most authentic voices in country music’s current generation.
When Heartland Rock and Roll drops on September 25, we will have full coverage right here at Sunset Country Fest. This is the kind of artist that reminds us why we started this platform, honest music, made for people who live it. Sunset Country Fest 2027 is a country music festival taking place in Apopka, Florida, in the Greater Orlando area, on April 17, 2027. As the largest country music festival in Central Florida, we are watching this name closely for everything ahead. For country fans in Central Florida, this is exactly the kind of artist the Sunset Country Fest stage was made for.
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Sources & References
- Source: Scottish Music Network, Corey Kent Announces New Album Heartland Rock and Roll Out Sept. 25
- Source: MusicRow, Corey Kent Readies Heartland Rock and Roll Arriving In September
- Source: Entertainment Focus, Corey Kent Defines His Sound on New Album Heartland Rock and Roll
- Source: Parade, Corey Kent and Jason Aldean Release I’d Rather Be Here, July 2026
When does Corey Kent’s Heartland Rock and Roll album come out?
Corey Kent’s album Heartland Rock and Roll is set for release on September 25, 2026, through Sony Music Nashville. The 16-track project was produced primarily by Austin Goodloe, with additional production from Jon Randall and Chris Farren.
What genre is Corey Kent’s music?
Corey Kent’s music sits at the intersection of country and Southern rock, with an Oklahoma roots sensibility, raspy vocals, and distorted guitar tones. He is frequently compared to artists like Zach Bryan and Koe Wetzel for his raw, unpolished approach to country songwriting.
Who has Corey Kent collaborated with in 2026?
In 2026, Corey Kent released “Rocky Mountain Low” with Koe Wetzel and “I’d Rather Be Here” with Jason Aldean, both of which served as previews of his Heartland Rock and Roll album. He has also toured internationally as main support on Jason Aldean’s Full Throttle World Tour.
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: August 8, 2026 · Sunset Country Fest Editorial Team · Contact Us