Chanel West Coast joins Heart of the Gulch at CMA Fest 2026 to talk “Down to the Filter,” leaving her hip-hop comfort zone for country music, motherhood, Nashville songwriting and her future in the genre.

Brooke Lee joins Heart of the Gulch at CMA Fest 2026 to talk Desert Darling, her Chevrolet partnership, “Driver Drive,” moving to Nashville and the next chapter of her country music career.

Shaylen joins Heart of the Gulch at CMA Fest 2026 to talk “One Of Us” with Chris Young, her Grand Ole Opry debut, rising through the CMA Fest stages, songwriting and betting on herself.

Hannah Dasher joins Heart of the Gulch at CMA Fest 2026 to talk Stand By Your Pan, “Outlaw Women,” Clint Black, traditional country music, faith and building a career entirely her own way.

Leanna Crawford joins Heart of the Gulch at CMA Fest 2026 to talk Thank God, “Water Into Wine,” her faith journey, trusting God through difficult seasons and the milestones shaping her growing career.

Abbie Callahan joins Heart of the Gulch at CMA Fest 2026 to talk “Drag Queen,” “Optimistic,” touring with Carter Faith, kaleidoscope country and carving out her own lane in Nashville.

Hannah McFarland joins Heart of the Gulch at CMA Fest 2026 to talk Broken Hearts, “Missing Me,” touring with Riley Green, the Grand Ole Opry, songwriting and what's next.

Waka Flocka Flame joins Heart of the Gulch to talk Knicks vs. Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson, “Hard in da Paint,” weight loss and reinventing himself.

Kelsi Mayne joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to talk “For The Record,” “Can’t Sleep,” Nashville recording, major festival performances and building her next album independently.

Kelsey Hart joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to talk fatherhood, “Anything Like You,” CRS New Faces of Country Music, touring with Dylan Scott and his changing definition of success.

Walker Montgomery returns to Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to talk “Watching Storms Roll In,” Saving the Honky Tonk, Texas fans, Gruene Hall and life on the road.

Lexie Stevenson joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to talk “Cowboy Pillows,” “Butterfly,” her transition from acting to music and the personal stories behind her soulful country sound.

Ben Gallaher joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to talk “I’ll Take You,” his Time album, Southern rock influences, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and his guitar-driven country sound.

Lakelin Lemmings joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to discuss Get Around Boy, chasing her country music dream since childhood, songwriting and her upcoming debut album.

Spencer Hatcher joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to discuss “When She Calls Me Cowboy,” traditional country music, his Texas fanbase, honky-tonk culture and his journey from Virginia to Nashville.

Taylor Austin Dye returns to Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to discuss “Man For That,” Red Street Records, her Grand Ole Opry debut, the Damn Good Day Tour and new music.

Sophia Scott joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to discuss “Miss Me Now,” Lifeboat, scrapping an album and choosing from more than 50 songs for her next record.

Alex Miller joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to discuss More Country Than You, collaborations with Tracy Byrd and Emily Ann Roberts, and his traditional Kentucky country roots.

Erin Kinsey joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to discuss “Reasons Why We Broke Up,” relationship red flags, end-of-the-world survival, touring and new music.

Zach John King joins Heart of the Gulch at CRS 2026 to discuss “Get To Drinkin’,” country radio, Artist to Watch recognition, touring with Morgan Wallen and his Georgia roots.