When most people think of country music, they picture boots, ballads, and banjos. But step onto the sand at Barefoot Country Music Fest (BCMF), and you’ll experience something far more dynamic—a genre in motion. From genre-blending acts to a crowd that reflects the changing face of country fandom, BCMF is unboxing country music and boldly reimagining who it’s for.
In a series of backstage Fast Tracks interviews, I sat down with festival organizers and artists to talk about the evolution of country music—and how events like BCMF are leading the charge.
Bob Durkin: Leading with Heart and Disruption
At the helm of BCMF is Bob Durkin, co-founder of Southern Entertainment. He’s not just organizing a festival—he’s reshaping a culture.
“In country, we still need room for surprises,” Durkin told me. “That’s what makes this festival work. We think about the fans and then we ask: “What would delight them, what would throw them just a little bit?”
He calls these creative risks “left turns”—booking artists who may not fit the traditional mold, but absolutely belong.
Chasity Todd, Public Relations Lead for Barefoot Country Music Fest, put it best:
“He cares about the performers and the things behind the scenes. He’s involved in the entire process.”
Durkin’s behind-the-scenes involvement has cultivated a festival known for its intentional, inclusive, and genre-expanding energy.
Check out FAST TRACKS with Bob Durkin here.
Don Louis: Country with a Coastal Twist
Texas-born Don Louis brought his soul-infused sound to the Jersey Shore stage and left with new fans and fresh perspective.
“We don’t have a beach where I’m from,” he said with a smile. “But this? This is beautiful. The people are amazing.”
He noted the clear shift in what country music means today:
“Country used to be kind of closed off. Now it’s cool again. You’ve got artists blending hip-hop, rock, even gospel into it. You can’t really label it anymore—and that’s what makes it real.”
Check out FAST TRACKS with Don Louis here.
Davisson Brothers Band: Mountain Roots, Modern Reach
Straight out of West Virginia, the Davisson Brothers Band carries the grit and storytelling of Appalachian tradition with a sound that bridges the past and future.
“We’re proud of where we come from,” they told me. “But we’re not trying to sound like everybody else. Our fans are blue-collar folks, sure—but they’re also college kids, Gen Z, you name it.”
Their crowd? Diverse. Their sound? Anything but predictable.
Check out FAST TRACKS with the Davisson Brothers Band here.
Myles Morgan: Country Is Cool Again
Rising Alabama artist Myles Morgan made his BCMF debut this year—and the response was electric.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he admitted. “But everyone I’ve met has been amazing—so warm, so excited to talk.”
When asked what’s driving the country music resurgence, he didn’t hesitate:
“Country is definitely cool again. A few years back, it wasn’t the most popular genre. Now? People are showing up for it in ways I’ve never seen.”
Morgan is part of a wave of young artists reshaping the genre—not by abandoning its roots, but by living its spirit of honesty and heart through new lenses.
Check out FAST TRACKS with Myles Morgan here.
Country, Unboxed
BCMF isn’t just a festival—it’s a blueprint for what country music can become when it’s given room to evolve. Artists are encouraged to show up as themselves. Fans are welcomed, no matter how they show up. And the sound? It’s big enough to hold every story.
Country music doesn’t have to fit into one box anymore. Thanks to festivals like BCMF—and the visionaries, artists, and fans who support them—it never will again.
Here are a few photos from this year’s BCMF: