I am a lifelong country music fan and proud of it. I love the storytelling, the singable melodies, and the fashion. And you might be surprised to know that WNY has a huge country music fan base. So I am genuinely excited that Country Rising Festival comes to WNY on Friday, August 28, at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, with gates opening at 4:30 p.m.
Headlining is BigXthaPlug, a Dallas-born artist whose music sits at the intersection of Southern hip-hop, trap, and country rap. His 2025 album I Hope You’re Happy features collaborations with Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, and Shaboozey, all artists who work to expand what country sounds like in 2026. BigXthaPlug’s music is rooted in Southern Black culture and experience, with deeply personal storytelling. Joining him are Redferrin and Graham Barham.
Graham Barham grew up the son of a farmer and schoolteacher in Oak Ridge, Louisiana, population 124, and has developed what he calls “Club Country,” anchored by slamming 808s meeting slick steel guitar. Named an artist to watch by both Spotify and Amazon Music, Barham’s latest viral hit “Oil Money” earned the largest debut of his career.
Redferrin, a Tennessee native, has racked up hundreds of millions of streams and Gold-certified hits, including “Just Like Johnny” and “Jack and Diet Coke” from his debut EP Old No. 7, with his sophomore EP Some City, Somewhere on the horizon…