Bourbon Backyard Concert Guide
Meet the artists performing during the remaining 2026 Backyard Sessions at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Discover what each performer is known for, their style of music and the songs to hear before the show.
Tyra Madison
Modern Country ⢠Country Pop ⢠Powerful Storytelling
What She Is Famous For
Kentucky native Tyra Madison gained national attention when her emotional country song âRight Girl Wrong Timeâ went viral. The breakout track earned more than 14 million streams and helped establish Madison as a rising country artist known for powerhouse vocals, candid lyrics and songs about relationships, resilience and growing up in Kentucky.
What She Sounds Like
Madison combines polished Nashville country production with country-pop hooks, big vocals and conversational lyrics. Her catalog moves between vulnerable heartbreak songs, playful attitude-driven tracks and proudly Kentucky-centered music.
Start With These Songs
Best for fans of: Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Megan Moroney and modern country with a strong female point of view.
Madison Hughes
Americana ⢠Country Rock ⢠Soulful Singer-Songwriter
What She Is Famous For
Madison Hughes introduced herself to a national audience on NBCâs The Voice, where her country interpretation of Bob Dylanâs âKnockinâ on Heavenâs Doorâ turned multiple chairs. Her original music has since earned attention through Spotifyâs New Music Friday Country and Billboardâs country recommendations.
What She Sounds Like
Hughes blends country, Americana, rock and soul. Her warm, weathered vocal style gives her music a rootsy quality, while her songwriting leans into emotional honesty, restless freedom and complicated relationships.
Start With These Songs
Best for fans of: Bonnie Raitt, Elle King, Chris Stapleton and bluesy Americana with a country backbone.
Kelsey Hart
Contemporary Country ⢠Romantic Ballads ⢠Nashville Songwriting
What He Is Famous For
Kentucky singer-songwriter Kelsey Hart scored his breakthrough with âLife With You,â a viral love song that became a country radio hit. Before stepping into the spotlight, Hart wrote songs recorded by artists including Jake Owen, Dylan Scott and Trace Adkins. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2024.
What He Sounds Like
Hart delivers accessible modern country built around a deep, sturdy voice and direct storytelling. His music ranges from sentimental wedding-ready ballads to upbeat radio country, small-town stories and playful romantic songs.
Start With These Songs
Best for fans of: Lee Brice, Dylan Scott, Chris Young and heartfelt country-radio love songs.
Driftwood
Americana ⢠Folk Rock ⢠Bluegrass-Inspired Roots Music
What They Are Famous For
Formed in the Binghamton, New York area, Driftwood developed a national following through energetic live performances and a contemporary interpretation of American roots music. The band has appeared on programs including NPRâs Mountain Stage and built its sound around guitar, banjo, violin, upright bass, drums and shared vocals.
What They Sound Like
Driftwood mixes folk, Americana, bluegrass and rock-and-roll energy. Some songs are intimate and harmony-driven, while others become fast, rhythmic performances designed for a lively outdoor crowd.
Start With These Songs
Best for fans of: The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Lumineers and energetic roots music.
Magnolia Boulevard
Appalachian Rock ânâ Soul ⢠Blues Rock ⢠Jam Band
What They Are Famous For
Lexington-based Magnolia Boulevard has become known for powerhouse lead vocals, expressive slide guitar and a live show rooted in Kentuckyâs musical traditions. The group calls its sound âAppalachian rock ânâ soulâ and has built a following through touring, festival appearances and genre-blending original music.
What They Sound Like
Their music begins with blues, soul and rock, then folds in country, funk, folk, bluegrass, psychedelia and jam-band improvisation. Expect gritty guitar work, strong grooves and soulful vocals that can move from restrained to thunderous.
Start With These Songs
Best for fans of: Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grace Potter, Susan Tedeschi and Southern rock jam sessions.
Smilo & The Ghost
Alt-Country ⢠Americana ⢠Folk and Bluegrass
What They Are Famous For
Formed in Erie, Pennsylvania in 2016, Smilo & The Ghost developed a devoted following through deeply personal songs about recovery, survival, loss and the experiences people carry with them. The groupâs catalog includes Ghost Writers, Fingers Crossed & Godspeed and Twang & Fire.
What They Sound Like
Their music blends alt-country, folk, Americana and bluegrass instrumentation with the urgency of punk-influenced songwriting. Sets can shift from hard-driving foot stompers to vulnerable, triumphant ballads.
Start With These Songs
Best for fans of: Turnpike Troubadours, Lost Dog Street Band, American Aquarium and raw recovery-centered roots music.
Taylor Austin Dye
Rowdy Country ⢠Country Rock ⢠Kentucky Storytelling
What She Is Famous For
Booneville, Kentucky native Taylor Austin Dye built a large following through candid, hard-hitting country songs shared online. Her breakout track âRest in Peaceâ reached No. 1 on the iTunes country chart. Her albums Out of These Hills and Sick of Me helped push her catalog beyond 40 million streams before she made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2024.
What She Sounds Like
Dye combines traditional country storytelling with rock-edged production, a raspy powerhouse voice and lyrics that rarely soften the blow. Her songs tackle revenge, heartbreak, resilience, family history and life in rural Kentucky.
Start With These Songs
Best for fans of: Ashley McBryde, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson and country music with teeth.