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We’re thrilled to announce the very first CreekStone Rising Country Music Festival! Get ready for two amazing evenings packed with live music, a fantastic selection of drinks, and the stunning Carolina skies filled with the sounds of the hottest up-and-coming musical talents. This is going to an unforgettable experience, so grab your friends, get your tickets, and we will see you at Tara Creek for a weekend of incredible entertainment!
May 8, 2026
Braxton Keith
Braxton Keith calls San Antonio home, but the 20-something songwriter hasn’t spent much time there in recent years. Inspired by the traditional twang of storytellers like Marty Robbins and Merle Haggard, he writes songs that blend modern sounds with the best elements of old-school country. It’s a balance of the contemporary and the classic, glued together by a proud Texas native who’s learned to create autobiographical music about universal experiences. “These are songs about love, heartbreak, and drinking, which are things everybody knows about,” he explains. “I’m not the only person to write songs about those things. But I’m the only person to do it my way."
Preston Cooper
With a vocal so expressive it builds into jaw-dropping eruptions of power and emotion, 22-year-old artist Preston Cooper represents the start of a new generation in Country Rock. The biggest voice to ever hail from the tiny town of Fredericktown, Ohio, Preston’s soulful and blues inspired vocal is a potent force of nature, drawing comparisons to icons like Chris Stapleton and Bob Seger. First picking up guitar as a high school freshman, he joined the US Postal Service after graduation and found local fame as “The Singing Mailman” – walking up to 14 miles each day while belting out raw, raspy vocal runs, then clocking out to perform across the region. Hundreds of shows later, hit-making legends Brad and Brett Warren (Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban) discovered Preston at a Toledo songwriter’s round, and quickly recognized his once-in-a-lifetime talent. With his debut album,Toledo Talkin’, releasing August 29, the first chapter of this generational talent’s story unfolds. With 12 incendiary tracks – all but three co-written by the no-frills newcomer –Toledo Talkin’ was recorded with an old-school, full-band process, lashed together with sheer vocal intensity miles different from the Music Row norm. The album wields a mix of raw, organic Country and edgy Alt Rock, as evidenced on his show-stopping debut track “Weak,” emotive “One More Place I’ve Never Been,” shot of nostalgia “Numbers On A Mailbox,” and highway rocker “One For The Road.” Preston recently wrapped his run as directsupport for Kameron Marlowe’s Keepin’ The Lights On Tour and will join Riley Green this summer on select dates of the Damn Country Music Tour.
Laci Kaye Booth
Raised in a barn in Livingston, TX and now based in Nashville, singer/songwriter Laci Kaye Booth started writing her own songs at age nine. Named one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country” and SiriusXM TheHighway’s “Highway Find,” she has spent much of the past year on the road including shows with Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Ella Langley, and more. After she released her debut album, The Loneliest Girl In The World, last spring, Billboard hailed Boothas “one of the genre’s brightest newcomers” and The Los Angeles Times observed, “The most impressive LP from a new(-ish) country act so far this year, The Loneliest Girl in the World teems with vivid songwriting.”With characteristic honesty, Booth captures the bewildering moments when everything seems to be crumbling on her poignant new single, “Luck Of The Draw.” Emerging with a clear-eyed acceptance of whatever fate may bring, she sings, “Blame it on the luck of the draw.” She wrote the song with Ryman Wooten, who joined in on background vocals, and Ben West (Stephen Wilson Jr., Patrick Droney), who also produced and previously helmed Booth’s debut album.
May 9, 2026
Corey Kent
Corey Kent finds himself musically at the intersection of rock infused country, heartland values, and red dirt grit. Still in his 20’s, he built the foundation of a fanbase, has been developing his show for 15 years, and is now positioned as one of country music’s next breakout artists nationwide. Drawing inspiration from The Eagles, Keith Richards, Turnpike Troubadours and more, Kent strives to build an undeniable stage presence and his bandana-wearing Rock ‘N’ Roll spirit comes to life on the stage.
Blake Whiten
Blake Whiten is a 20-year-old singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist hailing from Six Mile, South Carolina. Known for his distinctive raspy voice, Blake delivers a vocal tone that sets him apart from any other artist. His music is a seamless blend of country and rock, influenced by legends like Morgan Wallen and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Blake’s storytelling abilities shine through his lyrics, crafting songs that explore both personal reflections and universal emotions.
His journey into the spotlight began when he gained widespread recognition with a standout cover of Morgan Wallen’s “I Guess,” capturing the attention of Nashville’s top songwriters and producers. This early buzz led to a high demand for his original music on social media, culminating in the release of his debut single, “Breakin’ My Heart.” With this release, Blake has established himself as a powerful new voice, and his artistic journey is only just beginning.
Cole Phillips
Born and raised in Bridge Creek, Oklahoma, Cole Phillips is a rising country artist known for his gritty storytelling, raw authenticity, and powerhouse vocals. Inspired by legends like Hank Williams Jr. and David Allan Coe, as well as red dirt and rock influences like Zach Bryan, Cody Jinks, and Nirvana, Cole delivers unfiltered, from-the-gut songwriting that resonates deeply.
His breakout single "Drinking Alone" went viral, amassing millions of streams and introducing him as a compelling new voice in country music. Cole's debut EP, Steel Toes and Texacos, which was released April 11th, further cements his status as one to watch, featuring five tracks he co-wrote that showcase his signature blend of classic country and red dirt grit.
With a sound that blends traditional roots with modern edge, Cole Phillips is proving himself as an artist with something to say — and a hell of a way to say it.
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