Country singer Ashley Cooke headlined CMA Fest in Nashville this week, performing at multiple stages during the June 4-7 festival as she builds momentum toward her self-titled sophomore album and a 28-date fall tour.
Quick Facts
- Ashley Cooke’s self-titled sophomore album releases August 14, 2026 via Big Loud Records
- The “baby blues world tour” launches September 17, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio
- The tour concludes February 25, 2027 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
- The album features 15 tracks including the single “baby blues,” a recent No. 1 hit on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown
The album marks a major turning point for the fast-rising artist, built around what she describes as “a coming-of-age record disguised as a relationship album.” Cooke co-wrote the project with industry luminaries including Liz Rose and Lori McKenna, working with legendary producer Dann Huff and other elite session players.
Leading single “high school sweetheart” arrives this week with jangly guitar riffs and sharp-witted storytelling. The album also includes standouts like “the hell you are,” currently climbing country radio charts, and “xs,” which inspired Country Swag to hail Cooke as “one of the most exciting rising artists in the genre today.”
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The Baby Blues World Tour
The 28-date “baby blues world tour” takes its name from the longtime fan favorite that became a recent breakthrough hit on satellite radio. The tour spans September through February, with stops in Boston, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Sacramento, Fort Worth and more, plus international dates in the UK and Northern Ireland.
The tour features support from multiple artists including Timmy McKeever, McCoy Moore, Just Jayne, Aniston Pate and Hannah McFarland on various dates. General on-sale begins May 15, with $1 from every ticket sold going to the Ashley Cooke Fund to benefit The Onsite Foundation’s Creatives Support Network, which provides mental health resources for songwriting community members.
Cooke’s momentum comes after her 2023 debut album “shot in the dark” and her breakthrough hit “your place,” which earned a 2024 CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year and became Gold-certified. She’s since toured with major artists including Luke Bryan, Parker McCollum and Kane Brown, and recently supported Jon Pardi’s Honkytonk Hollywood Tour.
Sources
- Big Loud Records — official album announcement with release date, tracklist, and producer credits
- MusicRow.com — tour announcement with dates, venue details, and support artists
- CMA Fest official lineup — confirmed Cooke’s participation in June 4-7 festival
