COUNTRY HITMAKER TO CO-HOST
ACM NEXT WAVE: COUNTRY’S BEACH BASH ON MAY 16 IN LAS VEGAS

NASHVILLE, TENN. (April 1, 2026) — Today, Country hitmaker Ashley Cooke shares the official music video for her new song “xs,” a no-looking-back breakup anthem released last week. Go here to check out the video for “xs” now.Directed by Patrick Tracy, the video for “xs” fully leans into the defiant mood at the heart of the track — a brooding slow-burner about refusing to reconcile with someone who’s done her wrong. In one unbroken and captivating shot, the camera finds Cooke on the beach sometime between dusk and nightfall, a massive letter “X” set ablaze in the sand below her. Adorned in a shimmering two-piece dress, the singer/songwriter brings the song’s lyrics to life in a performance that’s nonchalant yet cathartic. As the flames continue to flicker against a backdrop of crashing waves and darkening sky, Cooke ultimately embodies an effortless confidence and a triumphant sense of reclaimed freedom.Produced by the legendary Dann Huff (Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift), “xs” immediately earned praise from outlets like Country Swag (who hailed Cooke as “one of the most exciting rising artists in the genre today”). To create the song’s strong-willed twist on a classic cheating story, Cooke co-wrote alongside top-tier songwriters Ashley Gorley (a 12-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year winner whose credits include Morgan Wallen’s 12X PLATINUM “Last Night”), Emily Weisband (a GRAMMY winner known for her work with Keith Urban, Lady A, and many more), and Will Weatherly (a MULTI-PLATINUM hitmaker who’s penned songs for superstars like Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts).Kicking off a dynamic new era for Cooke, “xs” fast-followed the recent release of the ace sessions — an all-acoustic offering featuring songs from her 2025 project ace, including “baby blues” (a recent No. 1 hit on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown) and “the hell you are” (currently climbing the Country radio charts).As announced yesterday, Cooke is now gearing up to co-host “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” — an Academy of Country Music Awards Week event slated for May 16 at Mandalay Bay Beach in Las Vegas. Taking place the day before the 61st ACM Awards, Country’s Beach Bash is a reimagined fan-favorite outdoor concert experience set against the iconic Mandalay Bay Beach and Wave Pool. In addition to co-hosting the event with Dasha, Cooke will join a stacked lineup of performers including Flatland Cavalry, Braxton Keith, and Tucker Wetmore as well as members of the Opry NextStage Class of 2026 (Willow Avalon, Graham Barham, Tyler Braden, Alexandra Kay, Vincent Mason, Emily Ann Roberts, and Hudson Westbrook). Go here for ticketing info.Hot on the heels of her recent tour with MULTI-PLATINUM powerhouse Jon Pardi, Cooke is also getting set to make her debut appearance at Tortuga Music Festival (April 10 in Fort Lauderdale, FL). This summer, she’ll take the stage at major festivals like Hoofbeat (June 27 in Cadott, WI). For more info on all upcoming live dates, visit ashleycooke.com.

ABOUT ASHLEY COOKE: One of Country’s most magnetic young storytellers, Ashley Cooke made her unforgettable debut with 2023’s shot in the dark and soon scored her first Country radio No. 1 with “your place” — a GOLD-certified, Billboard Hot 100-charting hit that later won a 2024 CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year. With a voice that carries both tenderness and quiet confidence, she’s since garnered nominations for New Female Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. While building up an acclaimed body of work including 2025’s ace — a nine-song project featuring her Country radio smash “the hell you are” and longtime fan favorite “baby blues” (a No. 1 hit on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown) — Cooke has collaborated with major artists ranging from Pop superstar Joe Jonas (“all I forgot”) to Country hitmaker Brantley Gilbert (“Over When We’re Sober”). Known for her emotionally charged and high-energy live show, she’s also toured with heavy-hitters like Luke Bryan, Parker McCollum, and Kane Brown and recently hit the road as support for Jon Pardi’s HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD TOUR. As her profile continues to rise, Cooke made a cameo appearance in March on CBS’ Marshals (the newly launched spinoff of the blockbuster Western saga Yellowstone), just before heading overseas for C2C: Country to Country 2026 (including a performance at the iconic O2 Arena in London). With her sophomore album due out later this year, she’s now gearing up to take the stage at leading festivals like Tortuga Music Festival (4/10 in Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Hoofbeat (6/27 in Cadott, WI).