Country Thunder — the largest Country music festival brand in North America — is thrilled to announce that up-and-coming artist Paige Davis has won American Songwriter’s annual “Sounds Like Summer” contest (read the exclusive here). As Country Thunder Wisconsin 2026 kicks off its 30th anniversary celebration, Davis earned top honors with her original song “joyride” and secured a coveted spot in the Songwriters Showcase at the can’t-miss festival — a four-day blowout taking over Shadow Hill Ranch in Twin Lakes, WI, Thursday through Sunday (July 16-19). Go here to purchase tickets now.

Headlined by Gavin Adcock, Riley Green, Keith Urban, and The Red Clay Strays, Country Thunder Wisconsin will welcome Davis as part of a stellar roster spanning from household names to next-generation stars. The Nashville-based artist will take the Songwriters Showcase stage on Sunday, serving up her spellbinding mix of Alt-Pop and Country. Presented by American Songwriter, the daily showcase will also feature Ryan Beaver, Benjy Davis, Neil Medley, Trent Wayne, Chase McDaniel, and Phillip Morgan, spotlighting the acclaimed hitmakers and fast-rising newcomers behind No. 1 songs like “Made for You” (Jake Owen), “House Again” (Hudson Westbrook), “The Painter” (Cody Johnson), “Pretty Little Poison” (Warren Zeiders), “Country Song Came On” (Luke Bryan), and more.

Originally from a small town in New England, Davis pairs supremely catchy hooks with diary-like yet deeply perceptive storytelling — a gift shaped in part by her studies in psychology and neuroscience at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Since moving to Nashville in 2022, she’s amassed over 1 MILLION streams and shared stages with superstars like Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Little Big Town, Dasha, and more. A striking introduction to Davis’ singular songwriting talents, “joyride” brings her beguiling voice, disarming sensitivity, and sophisticated sense of melody to a self-aware but soaring reflection on romance and risk. Go here to listen to “joyride” now.

Promising three more epic days of music, camping, and community, Country Thunder Wisconsin will also include main-stage performances from heavy-hitters like The Red Clay Strays, Mark Chesnutt, Ian Munsick, Nate Smith, and Shaboozey, as well as breakout stars like Hannah McFarland, Dasha, Corey Kent, The Jack Wharff Band, Annie Bosko, and more. In addition, the Lake Stage presented by 102.3 the Coyote will showcase some of the most buzzworthy bands and artists in the Midwest today, with local favorites like Chad Carlson, RIPLOCK, Lola Blu, and Burn N’ Bush leading the bill.

New for 2026, the Buckin’ Thunder Pro Bull Riding Event will turn up the adrenaline all weekend long, taking over Country Thunder Wisconsin Friday through Sunday (July 17-19). Presented in partnership with Big Hat Rodeo (a Midwest institution with 106 years of rodeo history), the sanctioned competition will pit professional cowboys against some of the sport’s toughest bulls as they compete for prize money.

Beyond its powerhouse lineup, Country Thunder Wisconsin also promises a next-level camping experience set against the wide-open backdrop of Shadow Hill Ranch. Festival-goers can choose from a wide range of camping options, including Tent Camping, Crown Camping, Glamping, and more. A weekend wristband is required for campground access.

With the festival fast approaching, fans can still save big on tickets by visiting Country Thunder’s retail partners. Simply buy tickets for Country Thunder Wisconsin 2026 at participating Walgreens or Menards locations, and save up to $75 off the total cost. Single-day and weekend passes are available now. For more info and to purchase tickets online, go to countrythunder.com.

 

ABOUT COUNTRY THUNDER MUSIC FESTIVALS:
Country Thunder Music Festivals thrives as the world’s preeminent Country music festival brand. Led by President and C.E.O. Troy Vollhoffer since 2005, it continues to set the tone for Country music and culture. This global powerhouse encompasses annual multi-day events in six major markets across two countries, earning “Festival of the Year” at the ACM Awards three times and entertaining millions of fans to date. Its stages have welcomed GRAMMY® Award-winning generational superstars, genre-busting trailblazers, and rising talent alike. Beyond boasting a reputation for once-in-a-lifetime collaborations, it has perennially provided a launchpad for breaking acts. Between those powerhouse performances, each location features an immersive concourse consisting of numerous cuisine and beverage options, local vendors, and various attractions. Dubbed “a pillar of country festival culture” by Holler., American Songwriter has hailed it as “a country music lover’s dream,” while The Tennessean summed it up best, “For three decades, the Country Thunder brand has succeeded in offering fans top-tier performances.” The brand’s festivals include Saskatchewan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Alberta, and Florida. As always, Country Thunder Music Festivals embodies the past, present, and future of Country music and so much more.

 

ABOUT COUNTRY THUNDER WISCONSIN:
With a storied history as the epicenter of Country music in America’s heartland, Country Thunder Wisconsin is one of the nation’s leading music festivals, which in 2026 will celebrate 30 years of fun. Held at Shadow Hill Ranch in the lush rolling hills of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, breathtaking backdrops and unforgettable performances have made Country Thunder Wisconsin a premiere destination for music, camping, and community, with roots dating back to 1996. Now one of the most anticipated events in Country Thunder calendar – the largest Country music festival brand in North America – the annual four-day summertime fest was transformed into the “biggest party in the Midwest” by visionary CEO Troy Vollhoffer, who took over Country Thunder in 2009. Since then Country Thunder Wisconsin has welcomed more than 1 million fans through its gates and been honored as “Festival of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music, pairing superstar lineups with world-class attractions, and some of the best camping in the United States. Its superstar alumni include Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, and many more. After 30 years, the crown jewel of Country music in the Midwest returns on July 16-19, headlined by Gavin Adcock, Riley Green, Keith Urban, and The Red Clay Strays.

 

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