Preparing for a big 2026.
Sam Barber has become, in many ways, one of the key leaders in the acoustic, country-folk renaissance we’ve experienced over the past decade, along with the likes of Zach Bryan, Dylan Gossett and more. At only 22 years old, the Missouri native has already scored two platinum singles for his breakout hit, “Straight and Narrow,” along with his viral collaboration with Avery Anna, “Indigo.”
Last November, Barber released his monster, 28-track debut album, Restless Mind, which has already sold well over 500,000 units along with a gold certification from the RIAA. He’d immediately follow that up with yet another 8-song EP, Music for the Soul, this August.
With over 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a fan base that keeps growing stronger on social media by the day, the desire for new music from the “Man of the Year” singer by fans seems to be insatiable, no matter how frequently he drops. With that being said, however, it looks like fans won’t have to wait too much longer for another full-length project from Barber.
Taking to Instagram yesterday, Barber would confirm that his sophomore album is in the works and is coming “early in the new year.” However, that’s not all that he shared.
Along with the post, he’d share that his alternate website, sambarberfiles.com, which serves as an archive of demos, outtakes, behind-the-scenes videos and more, had been updated. Taking a look at the site, two new sections appeared — one simply titled “Album 2” and another titled “American Route.”
Going into the “Album 2” section, over a dozen different videos are present, all giving a teaser of what’s to come on the upcoming sophomore record. Notably, the likes of highly-anticipated unreleased tracks, “Miles of Sky,” “Far Past” and “Coffee and Coke” are all present and likely featured on the project.
Barber wasn’t done with delivering some big announcements, however. This morning, he returned to Instagram once again to announce that he’s hitting the road throughout the first half of 2026 on the brand new The American Route Tour.
Beginning on January 30th in Oxford, Mississippi, The American Route Tour will wrap up in Lexington, Kentucky on June 6th. Along the way, Barber will hit over 20 different cities, including the likes of Madison, Washington, Omaha, Charleston, Grand Rapids and more.
As for openers, Barber is bringing a revolving door of hot names in both the country and folk scenes. Highlighted by hot up-and-comer, Waylon Wyatt, Michael Marcagi, Wild Horses, Bebe Stockwell and Clover County will all make appearances during the tour.
To access tickets, go to Barber’s website now. Presale begins on Tuesday, October 28th at 10 a.m. local time.
The American Route Tour
January 30-31 – Oxford, Mississippi – The Lyric Oxford *
February 5 – Salem, Virginia – Salem Civic Center *
February 6 – Washington, D.C. – The Anthem $#
February 7 – Columbia, South Carolina – Township Auditorium $#
March 12-13 – Madison, Wisconsin – The Sylvee $#
March 14 – Waukee, Iowa – Vibrant Music Hall &
March 19 – Fort Wayne, Indiana – Clyde Theatre &
March 20 – Grand Rapids, Michigan – GLC Live at 20 Monroe &
April 24 – Indio, California – Stagecoach
May 7 – Omaha, Nebraska – The Astro Amphitheater +*
May 8 – Wichita, Kansas – Wave Outdoors +*
May 9 – Little Rock, Arkansas – First Security Amphitheater +*
May 14 – Virginia Beach, Virginia – The Dome +*
May 15 – Charleston, South Carolina – Firefly Distillery +*
May 16 – Huntsville, Alabama – The Orion Amphitheater +*
May 21 – Clearwater, Florida – The BayCare Sound +*
May 22 – Pompano Beach, Florida – Pompano Beach Amphitheater +*
May 23 – St. Augustine, Florida – St. Augustine Amphitheater +*
June 4 – Raleigh, North Carolina – Red Hat Amphitheater $#
June 5 – Charlotte, North Carolina – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater $#
June 6 – Lexington, Kentucky – Railbird Music Festival
* Bebe Stockwell
$ Waylon Wyatt
# Wild Horses
& Clover County
+ Michael Marcagi
