On a rainy day in downtown Nashville, the atmosphere inside the vibrant, multi-level bar known as Category 10 was warm and inviting, bustling with enthusiastic fans on the second day of the Billboard Country Live event. This exciting day, dubbed On the Rise, showcased an impressive lineup of seven emerging artists whose captivating performances hinted at bright futures in the Country music scene.

The second day’s festivities followed a successful opening on Thursday, June 5, featuring six talented acts including Mitchell Tenpenny, Reyna Roberts, Alexandra Kay, Drew Baldridge, Max McNown, and Ashley Cooke, all of whom left a lasting impression on the audience.

Hosted by CMT personality Carissa Culiner, both evenings were filled with energy and engagement as she skillfully kept the crowd entertained between sets, ably supported by DJ Grant Fisher.

Annie Bosko, an up-and-coming talent, captivated the audience with her genuine charm and style during her performance.

Kicking off the afternoon with her stunning presence, Bosko sported denim shorts and a vest that perfectly matched her warm personality. Her set was highlighted by the infectious opening track “California Cowgirl,” which she introduced by stating, “because I think no matter where you’re from, you’ve got a cowgirl inside.” Following this lively track, she shared her heartfelt current single, “God Winks,” which resonated deeply with fans as she recounted personal struggles and the divine signs that motivated her to persevere. The audience swayed along, holding up their phones as she concluded with the powerful anthem “(Country Girls) Who Runs the World,” a spirited tribute echoing Beyoncé’s iconic message, with Bosko skillfully playing the harmonica to enhance the performance.

Harper Grace took the stage with an engaging presence.

With a T-shirt boldly declaring, “country music makes you live longer,” the Curb Records artist opened her set with a vibrant rendition of “Mr. Mystery,” igniting the crowd’s energy. She then followed up with the upbeat, fiddle-infused track “Take It Like a Truck,” which seamlessly blended into the modern country sound reminiscent of Lainey Wilson. Grace showcased her versatility by delivering a heartfelt performance of the classic “Tennessee Waltz,” originally popularized by Patti Page in 1950. To conclude her set, she invited Franklin Jonas on stage for a delightful rendition of “IDK,” their duet that captivated the audience with its relatable lyrics about the search for elusive love.

Graham Barham electrified the crowd with his dynamic performance.

Backed by a full band, Barham elevated the energy level with an exhilarating mix of country, rock, and trap beats, launching his set with the intoxicating track “MIA” that had everyone hooked. He followed with the upbeat “Camo,” showcasing his unique sound. With a touch of humor, he introduced his song “Whiskey,” encouraging the audience to remember that “everything you see on screen isn’t necessarily true.” He then performed a heartfelt tribute to Brooks & Dunn with a faithful rendition of “Red Dirt Road,” before closing with his lively hit “Oil Money,” during which he engaged the audience by shooting fake money into the crowd, ensuring a memorable finale.

Cooper Alan brought an electrifying energy to the stage.

Alan delivered a high-energy performance that had the crowd dancing from the start. He opened with the rollicking tune “To the Bar,” reminiscing about his earlier days playing at the very same venue before it transformed into Combs’ Category 10. His cover of Avicii and Aloe Blacc’s “Wake Me Up” was a crowd favorite, despite his humorous admission of having a few hiccups during the performance. However, he quickly won the audience back by inviting them to join in a fun sing-along moment. He then performed his viral TikTok hit, “Cold 45,” a playful homage to Afroman’s “Because I Got High,” which showcased his knack for blending humor with catchy melodies.

After a brief pause to reflect, Alan slowed things down, playing a heartfelt ballad titled “Take Forever (Hally’s Song),” dedicated to his wife, with whom he tied the knot in September 2023. The performance was deeply personal and resonated with many in the audience. He then ramped up the excitement once again with “Plead the Fifth,” a comical tune set to the melody of “Auld Lang Syne.” Alan skillfully transitioned into classics like John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” and Eminem’s “Without Me,” proving that while he may not have been on stage for long, he certainly left a memorable mark.

Timmy McKeever celebrated his achievement in style.

As a Big Loud artist, McKeever took the stage with an air of confidence, celebrating a year since his move to Nashville. His acoustic set, featuring just him and his guitar, highlighted his soulful voice and songwriting prowess. He performed original songs like the romantic “I’ve Known Better,” which gained viral traction on TikTok, and the heartfelt “Bulletproof,” showcasing his emotional depth as a songwriter. He then captivated the audience with a unique rendition of Megan Moroney’s “Tennessee Orange,” putting his own spin on the song by incorporating a gender twist. He concluded his set with a softer version of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue,” proving that he could deliver powerful performances with a personal touch.

McKeever rounded off his performance with three original tracks that underscored his potential as a rising star, including the infectious “Cravin’ You,” the eagerly anticipated single “Hold You to It,” and the introspective “Lightning Speed,” which reflected on the challenges of navigating the music industry.

Jake Worthington showcased his traditional country roots.

Armed with just an acoustic guitar, Worthington, a talented contestant from The Voice, summoned the spirit of country legends like George Jones and Waylon Jennings with his authentic sound and powerful voice. His set began with the lively and upbeat “I’m the One,” which features a collaboration with Marty Stuart on the recorded version. Even a broken guitar string early in his performance could not derail his momentum, as he continued with the poignant “Hello S—ty Day,” a heartfelt track that would resonate perfectly with a legend like Jones.

Worthington’s 30-minute performance was a treasure trove of classic country music, highlighted by songs like the energetic yet melancholic “It Ain’t the Whiskey” and “Not Like I Used To.” He then played “Ain’t Got You a Hold,” a lively western swing track that would have impressed George Strait. His cover of Merle Haggard’s “Half a Man” was delivered with sincerity and emotional depth, perfectly fitting his traditional style.

Tayler Holder connected brilliantly with the audience.

The moment Holder stepped onto the stage, he knew how to captivate the audience. With over five million followers on Instagram, it felt like all his loyal fans packed into Category 10. He confidently roamed the stage as he started with the captivating track “Neon,” engaging with the front row as he shared a bad-boy charm that resonated well with his fans.

His performance showcased his versatility across various tempos and styles, including the upbeat “Time in This Truck,” which evoked a sense of freedom and adventure. He followed this with the heartfelt breakup song “Someone You Knew,” and then “California Tennessee,” a reflective piece about a four-year relationship that faced challenges, but with a happy ending as he hinted at a new romance. Holder, who made Nashville his home three years ago, entertained the crowd with a dynamic medley of covers, opening and closing with snippets of “Sweet Home Alabama” and an energetic rendition of “Freebird.” In between, he treated the audience to a sweet cover of One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control,” sung beautifully by his guitarist.

Holder concluded his exhilarating set — and the second day of Billboard Country Live — with a new track that quickly gained traction, amassing over a million streams within days, titled “Ain’t You Leaving.” He followed this with “Dyin’ Flame,” which has garnered over 12 million streams. Reflecting on his journey, Holder mentioned, “We sent it to Morgan [Wallen] and [he] politely sent it right back to me,” expressing his gratitude for the unexpected turn of events in his career.