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There’s something about a stripped-down country show that gets to the heart of why these songs work in the first place. WBEE’s Guitars & Stars is back at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre in Rochester on Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 PM — and the 2026 lineup is one of the deepest they’ve put together.
About Guitars & Stars 2026
If you’re not familiar with the format, Guitars & Stars is WBEE Rochester’s annual acoustic showcase. No pyro, no backing tracks, no production hiding behind volume. Just artists, their guitars, and the songs. It’s the kind of night that reminds you why Nashville storytelling still matters.
This year’s bill reads like a sampler of where country music is right now. Nate Smith brings raw vocal power and a knack for songs that hit like a slow-burning fire. Ashley Cooke has been building a following with hook-driven writing and an easy authenticity that plays beautifully in an unplugged setting. Aaron Watson is the veteran on the bill — an independent Texas country artist who’s been filling rooms on his own terms for two decades. Alexandra Kay and Julia Cole round out a lineup that covers ground from modern pop-country to traditional roots, all in one night.
Five artists. Five acoustic sets. That’s a full evening of music, and the variety alone makes it worth the ticket.
Venue Info
The West Herr Auditorium Theatre in downtown Rochester is the kind of classic theater that was built for evenings like this. The seated format suits the acoustic showcase perfectly — you’re there to listen, and the room rewards that. Rochester’s theater district has plenty of pre-show dining options within walking distance.
Tickets & Pricing
Guitars & Stars 2026 has been announced. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. If you’ve been to a Guitars & Stars before, you already know — these shows have a way of turning casual fans into devoted ones. And if this is your first time, you picked a good year.