Brendan Walter:

Brendan Walter is a Texas-born singer-songwriter with a relentless craving for purpose. A former semi-pro hockey player, Walter pivoted to music and began releasing his rugged mix of country, indie folk, and alternative songs. Following the hit collab “If a Song Could Change Your Mind” with Low Gap, and then popular tunes like “Asking for a Friend, and “Pipe Dream,” Walter scored a record deal in 2025 and released his debut album Disappearing Days, a collection about coming of age. He’s hit the road with artists like Wyatt Flores, Evan Honer, and 49 Winchester, and he’s excited to take bittersweet tunes into headlining shows this year.

Low Gap:

After years of steady growth behind the scenes, Low Gap is poised for a massive breakout in 2026. Brothers Gus and Phin Johnson spent the past year-and-a-half with their proverbial feet slammed on the gas and have hundreds of shows and a slew of singles to show for it. The duo recently released their debut album, Geneva, which is bound to expand their ever-growing audience to new heights. Gus and Phin, known for their well-crafted songs and animated concerts, have roots planted in Ohio and Eastern Kentucky, which show up clearly in their music. They, along with their five-piece band, blend 90’s alt-country and americana music with modern country sentiment. Original and unique, their songs manage to garner mainstream attention and critical acclaim from all corners of the increasingly diverse country genre.

Sam Sample: 

Sam Sample proves that hard work, grit, and vision can turn dreams to reality. Her self-coined AmeriRock sound blends Americana storytelling with the edge of indie rock. Self-funded through her day job, she invests every spare dollar and hour. Her debut album I’m Moving to the Moon—recorded between her NYC apartment and Bear Creek Studio with Grammy-nominated producer Ryan Hadlock (Zach Bryan, The Lumineers, Brandi Carlile, Vance Joy) and Taylor James Carroll (Waylon Wyatt, Wyatt Flores)—has surpassed 2.5 million streams across platforms and sparked sold-out shows. Rooted in her Georgia upbringing and sharpened by her Manhattan drive, Sam writes with raw honesty and emotional depth, establishing herself as a powerful new voice in AmeriRock. Sam plans to release her sophomore LP later this year following her first headline tour.