Tucker Wetmore just had the kind of night that doesn’t happen twice. Closing out a three-show sold-out run at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, the Washington-born country singer was handed his first-ever ACM Award, named 2026 New Male Artist of the Year, in a surprise presentation that stopped the room cold. The Academy of Country Music sent the trophy internationally, a first in recent history, making the moment as unprecedented as the career it celebrates.
The reveal unfolded onstage when a video message from Thomas Rhett interrupted the show, followed by Wetmore’s mother, Sia, walking out to present the award in person. Wetmore, visibly overwhelmed, told the crowd, “I’m at a loss for words right now for the first time in a long time. I can’t do any of this without you guys. I can’t do any of this without that woman right there.” It’s the kind of moment that reminds you why live music still matters.
The ACM win lands at the peak of a run that’s been building fast. Wetmore has back-to-back No. 1 singles to his name, with “Brunette” climbing toward a third. He spent three consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the U.K. Radio Country Airplay chart, a number that speaks to how far his fanbase has stretched beyond North America. Over 2 billion global career streams back all of it up.
His debut album What Not To made history as the biggest country album debut from a new artist in 2025, landing at No. 15 on Billboard’s all-genre 200 Albums chart. It’s a record built on hard-won life lessons wrapped in laid-back singalongs and soul-scouring balladry, exactly the kind of writing that turns casual listeners into devoted ones. Before that, platinum singles “Wine Into Whiskey” and 2x Platinum “Wind Up Missin’ You” put him on the Billboard Hot 100 and announced his arrival with real authority.
The Brunette World Tour, presented by NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, has already sold out New York, Boston, and consecutive London nights. Upcoming dates include a debut at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a slot at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2026, and select dates alongside Jordan Davis, HARDY, and Brooks & Dunn. The 61st ACM Awards stream live globally on Prime Video on May 17, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The Brunette World Tour Upcoming Dates:
June 21, 2026—Uncasville, CT—Mohegan Sun!+
July 2, 2026—Calgary, AB—Cowboys Music Festival
July 18, 2026—Indianapolis, IN—Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park!+
Aug. 14, 2026—La Vista, NE—The Astro Amphitheatre%+
Aug. 20, 2026—San Diego, CA—Gallagher Square at Petco Park@#
Aug. 21, 2026—Saratoga, CA—The Mountain Winery@#
Aug. 22, 2026—Paso Robles, CA—Vina Robles Amphitheatre@#
Aug. 23, 2026—Los Angeles, CA—Greek Theatre@#
Sept. 15, 2026—Knoxville, TN—Homer Hamilton Amphitheater
Sept. 18, 2026—Chicago, IL—The Salt Shed@#
Sept. 19, 2026—Detroit, MI—Masonic Temple@#
Sept. 20, 2026—Pittsburgh, PA—Stage AE@#
Oct. 2, 2026—Wichita, KS—WAVE$+
Oct. 3, 2026—Waukee, IA—Vibrant Music Hall$+
Oct. 23, 2026—Mesa, AZ—Mesa Amphitheatre+=
Oct. 24, 2026—Las Vegas, NV—The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas+=
Oct. 27, 2026—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre+=
!with special guest Maddox Batson
@with special guest William Beckmann
$with special guest George Birge
%with special guest Braxton Keith
+with special guest Jacob Hackworth
#with special guest Stella Lefty
=with surprise guest