Tucker Wetmore Wins First-Ever ACM Award, Named 2026 New Male Artist of the Year
Thomas Rhett surprises Wetmore in London with video message as his mother presents award onstage at sold-out U.K. tour finale
Closes out three consecutive sold-out nights in London as part of EU and U.K. leg of The Brunette World Tour
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country’s hottest rising star Tucker Wetmore experienced a career-defining moment tonight in London, England, winning ACM New Male Artist of the Year – his first-ever ACM award. Underscoring the significance of the honor, the Academy of Country Music sent the trophy internationally – a first in recent history – during the final night of his three-show, sold-out run at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. The surprise unfolded when a video message from Thomas Rhett interrupted the show before Wetmore’s mother, Sia, walked on stage to present him with the award.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Wetmore shared from the stage, “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 [mom] right there… Y’all made this possible. Every single person in this venue. And there’s countless more outside of this venue that I can’t sit here and name because I’d be here all night. Thank y’all so much and thank you ACMs for this amazing honor.”
The milestone caps a meteoric rise for the Back Blocks Music/MCA/Mercury Records artist, who has quickly established himself as one of country music’s most impactful new voices. Wetmore has already notched back-to-back No. 1 singles – with the rip-roaring “Brunette” pacing for another No. 1 in the coming weeks – and recently spent three consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the U.K. Radio Country Airplay chart.
Building on a breakout 2025, Wetmore’s debut album What Not To became the biggest country album from a new artist last year. The album debuted at the No. 15 spot on Billboard’s all-genre 200 Albums chart and helped propel Wetmore to over 2 BILLION global career streams.
That momentum has translated to the live stage, where Wetmore launched The Brunette World Tour earlier this year to overwhelming demand, selling out major markets in New York, Boston and consecutive nights in London. The tour has since expanded with additional dates across the U.S., including a debut at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This summer, Wetmore will take the stage at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2026 and join Jordan Davis, HARDY and Brooks & Dunn on tour for select dates.
The Brunette World Tour Upcoming Dates:
June 21, 2026 in Uncasville, Conn. at Mohegan Sun !
July 2, 2026 in Calgary, Alberta at Cowboys Music Festival
July 18, 2026 in Indianapolis, Ind. at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park !
Aug. 14, 2026 in La Vista, Neb. at The Astro Amphitheatre %
Aug. 20, 2026 in San Diego, Calif. at Gallagher Square at Petco Park @#
Aug. 21, 2026 in Saratoga, Calif. at The Mountain Winery @#
Aug. 22, 2026 in Paso Robles, Calif. at Vina Robles Amphitheatre @#
Aug. 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. at Greek Theatre @#
Sept. 15, 2026 in Knoxville, Tenn. at Homer Hamilton Amphitheater
Sept. 18, 2026 in Chicago, Ill. at The Salt Shed @#
Sept. 19, 2026 in Detroit, Mich. at Masonic Temple @#
Sept. 20, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa. at Stage AE @#
Oct. 2, 2026 in Wichita, Kan. at WAVE $
Oct. 3, 2026 in Waukee, Iowa at Vibrant Music Hall $
Oct. 23, 2026 in Mesa, Ariz. at Mesa Amphitheatre +
Oct. 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nev. at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas +
Oct. 27, 2026 in Morrison, Colo. at 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
Tags: tucker wetmore, acm awards, new male artist, country music, brunettes, the brunette world tour, album release, concert tour dates
