ArtistDirect News
Tucker Wetmore Wins 2026 ACM New Male Artist Award Amid Record-Breaking Tour
In a packed London arena, the Canadian country singer Tucker Wetmore received the Academy of Country Music’s (ACM) New Male Artist of the Year award, a first‑time honor that came while he was headlining the European leg of his Brunette World Tour. The accolade, announced by the ACM during the concert, coincided with the release of Wetmore’s single “Brunette,” marking a milestone that underlines the singer’s rapid ascent.
Wetmore’s win is the earliest recognition of his career by a major country‑music institution. The ACM, founded in 1964, presented the award during the London show on an evening that also saw the debut of “Brunette” on streaming platforms. The track, issued on January 12, 2026, is the fourth single from his 2025 debut studio album, What Not To. According to the song’s credits, the songwriting team includes Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Josh Miller, and Blake Pendergrass, while LaCorte also handled production.
“Brunette” has become Wetmore’s third consecutive number‑one hit on the country charts, a streak that has bolstered the momentum of his world tour. Launched in February 2026, the Brunette World Tour began with 22 headline dates across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. In March, the artist announced an expansion that added 17 more shows, extending the run through October. Wetmore has described the schedule as “crazy,” noting, “I was overseas for seven weeks straight. Before that, I was a month and a half here in the States, and then I’ve got another month and a half, two months in the fall. It feels like it’s the tour that never ends, you know, but it’s been such a blessing.” He added that venues are growing larger and audiences are becoming more enthusiastic.
A key element of Wetmore’s live appeal, he says, is the audience’s reaction. “My favorite part is seeing people’s faces light up when they hear their favorite song or lyric or guitar lick or whatever it is, and seeing visual reactions to stuff that I’m pouring my heart out into my music,” he told reporters. “Seeing them relate to the songs and just scream their favorite lyric at the top of their lungs is my favorite thing in the world.”
Wetmore’s schedule will include a primetime appearance on the 2026 CMA Fest special on Thursday, June 26, which will air on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The special, part of the CMA Fest 2026 lineup that runs June 4–6 in Nashville, Tennessee, will feature Wetmore’s performance alongside a roster of established and emerging country stars. Following the broadcast, he will resume the Brunette World Tour at the Cowboys Music Festival in Calgary, Alberta, on July 2, a venue that draws a large regional crowd and offers another platform to showcase the hit single.
Wetmore’s swift rise—defined by chart success, critical acclaim, and a growing fan base—has positioned him as a rising force in contemporary country music. His ACM award, the sustained popularity of “Brunette,” and the expansion of his global tour all signal a trajectory that could see him become a staple of the genre in the years ahead. As the tour continues, industry observers will watch how he balances the demands of an intensive touring schedule with album promotion and the development of new material, underscoring the central role of live performance in a modern country artist’s career.
In short, the 2026 ACM New Male Artist award, the chart‑topping single “Brunette,” and the ongoing Brunette World Tour collectively illustrate Tucker Wetmore’s growing influence in the country music landscape. His next chapter will unfold as he performs across North America and beyond, with industry insiders and fans alike anticipating his future releases and live appearances.
Wetmore’s win is the earliest recognition of his career by a major country‑music institution. The ACM, founded in 1964, presented the award during the London show on an evening that also saw the debut of “Brunette” on streaming platforms. The track, issued on January 12, 2026, is the fourth single from his 2025 debut studio album, What Not To. According to the song’s credits, the songwriting team includes Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Josh Miller, and Blake Pendergrass, while LaCorte also handled production.
“Brunette” has become Wetmore’s third consecutive number‑one hit on the country charts, a streak that has bolstered the momentum of his world tour. Launched in February 2026, the Brunette World Tour began with 22 headline dates across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. In March, the artist announced an expansion that added 17 more shows, extending the run through October. Wetmore has described the schedule as “crazy,” noting, “I was overseas for seven weeks straight. Before that, I was a month and a half here in the States, and then I’ve got another month and a half, two months in the fall. It feels like it’s the tour that never ends, you know, but it’s been such a blessing.” He added that venues are growing larger and audiences are becoming more enthusiastic.
A key element of Wetmore’s live appeal, he says, is the audience’s reaction. “My favorite part is seeing people’s faces light up when they hear their favorite song or lyric or guitar lick or whatever it is, and seeing visual reactions to stuff that I’m pouring my heart out into my music,” he told reporters. “Seeing them relate to the songs and just scream their favorite lyric at the top of their lungs is my favorite thing in the world.”
Wetmore’s schedule will include a primetime appearance on the 2026 CMA Fest special on Thursday, June 26, which will air on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The special, part of the CMA Fest 2026 lineup that runs June 4–6 in Nashville, Tennessee, will feature Wetmore’s performance alongside a roster of established and emerging country stars. Following the broadcast, he will resume the Brunette World Tour at the Cowboys Music Festival in Calgary, Alberta, on July 2, a venue that draws a large regional crowd and offers another platform to showcase the hit single.
Wetmore’s swift rise—defined by chart success, critical acclaim, and a growing fan base—has positioned him as a rising force in contemporary country music. His ACM award, the sustained popularity of “Brunette,” and the expansion of his global tour all signal a trajectory that could see him become a staple of the genre in the years ahead. As the tour continues, industry observers will watch how he balances the demands of an intensive touring schedule with album promotion and the development of new material, underscoring the central role of live performance in a modern country artist’s career.
In short, the 2026 ACM New Male Artist award, the chart‑topping single “Brunette,” and the ongoing Brunette World Tour collectively illustrate Tucker Wetmore’s growing influence in the country music landscape. His next chapter will unfold as he performs across North America and beyond, with industry insiders and fans alike anticipating his future releases and live appearances.