Dustin Lynch, Cole Goodwin, & More Shine at Country Now Live Benefiting St. Jude

If there’s one thing Nashville knows how to do, it’s have a good time and Country Now Live delivered just that at 6th & Peabody on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). The evening mixed great music with an even greater cause as each act on the lineup generously donated their time in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Despite chilly conditions outside, the atmosphere inside was warm and lively, as fans and members of the industry packed out the venue to see headliner Dustin Lynch, as well as a lineup of rising acts including Cole Goodwin, Kayley Green, Kenny Whitmire, Jacob Hackworth, and Graham St. Clair.

Each artist took the stage for intimate sets, mixing fan favorites with new material and giving the crowd a closer look at the next wave of country talent. Country Now Live once again took place the night before CRS (March 18–20), setting the tone for the three-day event to come.

Graham St. Clair

Graham St. Clair kept things simple, taking the stage with just his guitar and letting the songs speak for themselves. His set featured several tracks, including his latest release, “Carry Me Home,” along with a brand-new, unreleased song titled “Bad Guy,” which he shared is set to be recorded in the coming months. Despite it being only his second time performing in Nashville, the Texas native made the moment count and likely walked away with a few new fans.

“It was incredible,” he admitted to us after getting off stage. “This is only my second time playing in Nashville, so it feels like a huge blessing to get to do this and to be in front of so many incredible talents that are coming up in the industry right now. It’s really cool.”

Jacob Hackworth

Up next, Jacob Hackworth brought a mix of fresh momentum and songwriting success to the stage during his Country Now Live set. The rising artist spotlighted his debut radio single, “What Took You So Long,” giving fans a first taste of this next chapter in his career as he makes his transition from songwriter to an artist in his own right. He also performed another recent release that’s heating up social media, “Bad As I Do.”

Toward the end of his set, Hackworth took a moment to reflect on his journey as a songwriter by delivering a cover of Corey Kent’s “This Heart,” which marked his second No. 1 hit as a writer. The full-circle moment added an extra layer of meaning to his time on stage.

“Well, the cause always makes it amazing and that’s something I always love to do and if I can do it, I’m there. But also Country Now always throws a good party and you can walk in the bar right now and see why…There’s people hanging out, best music in Nashville playing, so it comes together for a perfect night,” he shared about the event.

His appearance came just days before it was announced that he signed his first major label deal with MCA, in collaboration with Goat Island Sound.

Kenny Whitmire

Before Kenny Whitmire took the stage last week, he made one thing clear, his set was going to be “country,” because admittingly, that’s all he knows and it’s the kind of music that fuels him. He stayed true to that promise from the very first note, delivering a performance rooted in traditional storytelling and heartfelt lyrics.

While on stage, Whitmire showcased several of his recent releases, including “You’re Getting Colder,” and his life-changing track, “I Gave Her The Moon.” The latter of the two has taken on a life of its own online, becoming a viral moment on social media and even catching the attention of acclaimed pop singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, who helped bring it to a wider audience. It didn’t take long for him to connect with the crowd, proving that sometimes sticking to what you know is what resonates most.

Kayley Green

Kayley Green had the crowd on their feet and singing along, as she moved seamlessly between classic covers and her own powerful original songs. She was met with cheers while showcasing her vulnerable ballad, “A Little Bit Lonely,” and captured the hearts in the crowd with more originals like “Wedding Gown” and the storytelling-driven “Shadow of a Cowboy,” offering a deeper look at her songwriting.

She also delivered a show-stopping cover of Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” before bringing the house down with an epic rendition of Martina McBride’s “Independence Day,” that allowed her vocals to fill the room. By the end of her set, the South Carolina native had fully captivated the audience.

Cole Goodwin

Cole Goodwin admitted he was “tickled” to be part of Country Now Live and performing in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. During his time on stage, he used every minute to the fullest while giving fans a taste of his traditional country sound. The Georgia native briefly slowed things down with “Call Me Colorado,” before closing his set with his latest release, “Howdy.” This clever track earned plenty of smiles from the crowd once they caught on to the twist that turns the classic southern greeting into “how’d he” in the chorus, tying it to into the question of how he ended up with a girl like her.

Goodwin’s set perfectly balanced humor, heart, and his signature traditional country sound, proving he’s already making waves as a well-rounded entertainer.

Dustin Lynch

Dustin Lynch closed out Country Now Live with an unforgettable high-energy set featuring crowd favorites like “Hell of a Night,” “Seein’ Red,” “Thinking ‘Bout You,” and “Where It’s At.” He later turned things down a notch with the heartfelt “Cowboys and Angels,” after which he admitted he had missed performing the song and giving fans a tender, emotional moment amidst the upbeat tracks. He then picked the energy back up with “Small Town Boy” to wrap up the show.

Before exiting the stage, Lynch took a moment to highlight the night’s purpose and thanked everyone who came out on a Tuesday night to sing along and give back to a good cause.

“Thank you, Country Now. Thank you, St. Jude for doing all that you do…It’s changed so many lives and I think we’ve all been touched by what they’re trying to cure and they’re doing a great job of it. On top of all the doctors and nurses, just the amount of researchers they have in Memphis is incredible,” he proudly shared. “I’m a science nerd, so I appreciate all that fun stuff and I love to visit and we always are honored to get to ask to be a part of anything they touch. So thank you guys for honor to asking us to be here tonight.”

It may have been a fun-filled Tuesday night, but the impact of Country Now Live went far beyond the music. All proceeds from the evening were donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, supporting its lifesaving mission to treat and defeat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Thanks to fundraising efforts like this, families at St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, housing, or food, allowing them to focus fully on what matters most.

Click HERE to learn more about St. Jude.