CRS Highlights Six At 2026 New Faces Of Country Music Showcase

To close out this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS), six breakout artists took to the New Faces of Country Music showcase stage on Friday (March 20).

Since its inception in 1970, the showcase has been a pivotal launching pad for country hitmakers. Participating acts have achieved significant country radio success during the qualification period—from Nov. 1, 2024 to Oct. 31, 2025.

Hosted by Elaina Smith, this year, Kelsey Hart, Ella Langley, Chase Matthew, John Morgan, Meghan Patrick and Josh Ross graced the stage.

Chase Matthew. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Matthew was the first artist to perform. He took the stage after a heartfelt video that highlighted his roots as a Nashville native, included appearances from his parents and thanked the radio executives in the room who helped him fall in love with music and rise to the top of the charts.

He kicked off his high-energy set with his first top five single at radio, “Love You Again.” He moved into his current single, “Holdin’ It Down,” before surprising the audience with Lauren Alaina for “All My Exes.” He finished his set with his first No. 1 track, “Darlin’.”

Kelsey Hart. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Hart followed, stepping onstage after a sizzle reel that played on the idea of “new faces,” tracing how his move from Kentucky into a town full of them and life on the road surrounded by them turned strangers into friends, fans and family.

He opened his set with “Put It On The Map,” setting the tone early. He kept the momentum going with “Fireworks” before closing things out with his viral hit “Life With You.”

Meghan Patrick. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Patrick’s intro video showed her band getting warmed up backstage, with appearances from her husband, fellow country artist Mitchell Tenpenny.

The room lit up with synchronized LED wristbands as she took the stage, kicking things off with a dynamic medley of Led Zeppelin covers. The room lit up golden as Patrick moved into her breakout track “Golden Child.” She ended her performance with a nod to Tenpenny as she introduced “Safe Place To Break.”

John Morgan. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Morgan brought a touch of humor with a playful intro video featuring frequent collaborator Jason Aldean as his “Uber driver,” leaning into the joke with a quick cameo that had the room laughing.

He made his way to the stage with “Way Out Would” and “One More Sunset.” He shared his current single, “Kid Myself,” before ending his performance with his first chart-topper, “Friends Like That.”

Josh Ross. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Ross followed, stepping onstage after a sizzle reel that showcased his achievements, from CCMA Awards to chart-topping hits.

He opened his set with “Hate How You Look” before delivering the vulnerable “Scared Of Getting Sober.” After “Namin’ Names,” he closed out his set with his No. 1 hit, “Single Again.”

Ella Langley. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

The crowd gathered around the stage as Langley began her set to close out the evening.

She opened with “Dandelion” followed by the recent fan-favorite “Be Her.” She delivered her most recent track “Loving Life Again,” which she released on Friday as the last track ahead of her sophomore album, which is due April 10.

She ended the night with a crowd sing-along of the newly minted No. 1 track, “Choosin’ Texas.”

Following her set, Langley shared a parody of her recently viral “Be Her” music video featuring appearances from various industry personalities and executives.

CRS will return to Nashville March 17-19, 2027.

Lauryn Sink is a staff writer at MusicRow Magazine. Hailing from Lexington, North Carolina, Lauryn is a 2025 graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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