Steller line-up for this year’s Ponoka Stampede’s mainstage

Published 5:00 am Saturday, February 7, 2026

From a country music legend to gifted up-and-comers, diversity is the defining word for this year’s Ponoka Stampede mainstage entertainment line-up.

This year’s Stampede runs from June 25th to July 1st.

Kicking things off on June 25th is Dwight Yoakam, with Waylon Wyatt set to hit the stage on June 26th.

Yoakam is described not only as a best-selling singer/recording artist, but also as an actor and filmmaker.

He first landed attention in 1986 with the release of his debut album Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. According to Wikipedia, it was a steady rise after this.

His first three records—which also include Hillbilly Deluxe, and Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room—all soard to number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

Yoakam announced in late 2024 the release of his first studio album in several years, Brighter Days.

Wyatt, a singer/songwriter, musician, and producer from Arkansas, garnered popularity when his first song Everything Under the Sun went viral on TikTok. He is signed to Darkroom Records and has released two extended plays with the label, according to Wikipedia.

John Riggins performs on June 27th.

According to his website, Riggins grew up ‘competitive’ in his hometown of Westfield, Indiana.

“From sports and volunteering his time to those in need, to performing the traditional outlaw country music he loves, John has always been one to excel at everything he does.

“He started out just him and his guitar, playing for tips at any venue that would have him in Westfield and surrounding counties.”

The momentum took off from there.

It wasn’t long before he formed a band, and went up against more than 30 other groups at Indy’s biggest country music venture, the 8-Second Saloon.

This led to a load of opportunities to open for such acts as Darryl Worley, Jason Michael Carroll, and Mark Wills.

Next up if Cooper Alan on June 28th.

“From a young age, Alan knew he wanted to play music,” notes his bio.

“It started with cover bands in 8th grade, then party bands in college, and eventually entertaining patrons across the honky-tonks of Nashville’s Lower Broadway.

By the late 2010s, he had certainly come into his own as a talented and engaging artist.

“The foundation of his life as a recording artist was an open dialogue with the fanbase he found on TikTok,” added his bio.

“He’d share parts of his own life, and he heard what resonated with listeners. Soon, he’d amassed more than 750 million streams and more than 18 million followers across social media.”

On June 29th, it’s classic country rockers Sawyer Brown’s turn to light up the stage.

Lead singer Mark Miller, who hails from Ohio, relocated to Florida when he was in eighth grade.

“He was on the basketball team at the University of Central Florida when he started writing songs, finally deciding to move to Nashville to focus on singing and songwriting. The move worked out okay.”

Miller penned many of Sawyer Brown’s hits, including Step That Step, The Walk, Thank God for You, The Boys and Me, as well as the band’s anthem Some Girls Do.

Over the past several years, Miller has also been lending his talents to other groups, having discovered the band Casting Crowns for one. He has also produced all of that band’s CDs, winning a Grammy for his efforts as well.

Finally, the Hunter Brothers wrap things up on June 30th.

“With more than 90 million streams and 33 million YouTube views to date, the Hunter Brothers have amassed a large volume of industry credibility in a record amount of time, including multiple CCMA Award nominations, JUNO Award nominations and SCMA Award wins.”

For Ponoka Stampede ticket information, head to ponokastampede.com.