photo from NBC
Country music’s fastest-rising traditionalist is keeping his foot on the gas. Drake Milligan, the Fort Worth native who captured hearts with his Elvis-meets-Strait swagger, has officially kicked off 2026 by expanding his “Tumbleweed World Tour.” On the heels of his critically acclaimed sophomore album, Tumbleweed, Milligan is adding 23 new dates across the United States and Australia, proving that the appetite for authentic Texas country is truly global.
After a whirlwind 2025 spent opening for genre heavyweights like Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, and Luke Bryan, Milligan is now stepping into the spotlight as a premier headliner. The 2026 leg launches with a high-octane performance at the Autotrader 400 NASCAR Cup Series in Hampton, GA, before spanning continents.
From the iconic C2C Festivals in London and Berlin to his first-ever standalone headline dates in Australia this July (including stops at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel and Sydney’s Liberty Hall), Milligan is meeting his fans where they are. Notably, the UK has become his second-largest market, fueled by the title track “Tumbleweed” climbing to #8 on the UK Country Radio Airplay chart.
Produced by fellow Texan Trent Willmon, the new 14-track album Tumbleweed is a masterclass in musical fusion. It balances traditional Texas country and Western swing with a polished, modern Nashville edge. Fan favorites like “Slow Dancing To A Fast Song” and the rowdy “How Much Beer” (featuring Randall King) have already become live staples. For those who want to own a piece of the journey, CD and vinyl editions are available for pre-order now, with a physical release set for March 13.
Milligan’s connection with his audience extends far beyond the concert hall. Building on the success of his “Living Room Sessions,” he has introduced the “Soundcheck Sessions” on YouTube, offering weekly behind-the-scenes performance videos from his tour stops. It is this blend of old-school showmanship and modern accessibility that has earned him over 270 million streams worldwide.
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