Country Thunder — the largest Country music festival brand in North America — continues to shine brighter, bolder, and better with each successive event in 2025. On the heels of this year’s monumental Country Thunder Arizona and Country Thunder Florida, the Midwest rallied together from all corners of the Heartland and beyond to experience Country Thunder Wisconsin, which played out gloriously over four days from July 17 until July 20 at Shadow Hill Ranch in Twin Lakes, WI.

Approaching its third decade, Country Thunder Wisconsin has earned a reputation for its unparalleled community. As anybody who has passed through the gates will attest, this is the closest it gets to “summer camp for Country music fans.” Nearly 100,000 attendees posted up on the grounds, creating a neighborhood of camping and glamping tents.

At the same time, a powerhouse lineup kept the crowd cheering, moving, and singing along for four days. HARDY, Jelly Roll, Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley, Gavin Adcock, Ashley McBryde, Zach Top, and more rounded out the stacked bill.

Of course, Country Thunder has a storied history of epic collaborations, which would be extended this weekend in Wisconsin. Striking an intense chord, HARDY welcomed Ashley McBryde to join him for an emotionally charged duet on “wait in the truck.” To the crowd’s surprise and delight, Jelly Roll called Ashley Cooke to the stage. They joined forces to perform a knockout cover of the Garth Brooks classic “Friends in Low Places.” Even though Angie K’s set was cut due to inclement weather, Cooke made up for it by inviting Angie to sing during her set. Finally, Dierks Bentley pulled out all of the stops for Hot Country Knights set, bringing out none other than Zach Top.

The weekend was met with instant critical acclaim. With CMT coming along for the ride, their CMT Hot 20 episode with air on August 2 and 3. In advance, Holler teased its arrival, “The Country Thunder festival series infiltrates Twin Lakes, Wisconsin once again for another long-weekend of country goodness.” Of Swindell’s set, Early Registration raved, “Cole Swindell’s kick off was the perfect way to start one of the Midwest’s biggest country weekends of the year.” Previewing the proceedings, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reminded, “Some of the biggest names in country will be taking the stage at Country Thunder Wisconsin 2025.”

Among other moments, The Lake Stage drew the spotlight to a myriad of rising artists and future headliners such as Faster Horses, Cody Parks & The Dirty South, Jacquie Roar, Roseland, SJ McDonald, Drew Cooper, J Edwards, Austin Hopkins, and more. On the same stage, the Country Thunder community once again enjoyed the Songwriters Showcase, which featured top Nashville hitmakers a la  Ryan Beaver [Warren Zeiders, Dustin Lynch], Benjy Davis [Ashley McBryde, Cody Johnson], Neil Medley [Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert], Brinley Addington [Parmalee, Darius Rucker], Johnny Clawson [Blake Shelton, Ella Langley], and Lauren McLamb [Dierks Bentley, Josh Ross], to name a few.

The same energy surged through Electric Thunder. The fan favorite Dancing with the Thunder saw concertgoers break it down during the Line Dance Competition and Partner Dance Competition, as well.

 

Not to mention, Country Thunder Wisconsin welcomed its “One Millionth Fan.” Hailey Rovetuso’s became Country Thunder Wisconsin’s millionth fan, which came with quite a few perks. She took home a once-in-a-lifetime prize package valued at over $35,000, including First Row Reserved Seats and Camping FOR LIFE, unprecedented access to Festival Catering and Artist Hospitality, a “Golden Laminate,” exclusive Country Thunder Wisconsin merchandise, and a fully loaded gift bundle stacked with surprises from various sponsors, including Crown Royal, Miller/Coors, Tito’s, DIXXON Flannels, Legendary Whitetails, and Thorogood Workwear. Hailing from Chicago where she works as a teacher, this was Hailey’s ninth year in attendance alongside a core crew of friends. Watch the video here.

 

ABOUT COUNTRY THUNDER:
Attracting nearly 625,000+ fans to its six multi-day events, Country Thunder Music Festivals boast unparalleled reach with a diverse demographic profile spanning the USA and Canada. Featuring top-tier country artists, Country Thunder Festivals draw diverse crowds, fostering a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates the essence of Country music. The Country Thunder Music Festivals organization has a 21-year history which boasts five other major multi-day events in North America, including Wisconsin, Florida, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

ABOUT TROY VOLLHOFFER:
Troy Vollhoffer is an American entrepreneur from Nashville, TN and currently serves as the President of Country Thunder Music Festivals, Big Valley Jamboree, and Premier Global Production Company. One of the most beloved festival brands in the world, Country Thunder has seen tremendous success, receiving numerous awards including the ACM Festival of the Year for Country Thunder Arizona, Wisconsin, and most recently, Bristol in 2023. For his transformation of the festival, Vollhoffer was honored with the Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives Award and the Don Romero Talent Buyer of the Year Award at the ACM Honors in 2023.
 
Vollhoffer played professional ice hockey from 1982-1992 and has served on the boards of the T.J. Martell Foundation, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, ACM Lifting Lives, ACM and CMA. His dedicated philanthropic commitment was recognized at the 2018 CCMA Awards, where he received the Slaight Music Humanitarian Award.

 

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