Following the release of his acclaimed debut album Act I, Kashus Culpepper today announces Act I: Summer Nights set for June 19. The four new songs add to its predecessor which has been lauded by NPR, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Paste, SPIN, Garden & Gun, EARMILK and more.
A sonic addendum to his lauded debut album, the new collection explores another dimension of Culpepper’s intrinsic artistry and versatility – this time a lighter, groovier side that reflects his varied influences. Admittedly, the new music emerged from an exploratory creative space with producer / co-writer Mike Robinson after finding a groove and following it; the result: buoyant songs like infectious “Let Me Show You Love” and “Miss You Much Longer.”
Act I: Summer Nights maintains the instrumental integrity of its debut counterpart including the prominent use of pedal steel. Made for the season, the EP kicks off with a cover of Glen Campbell’s immortalized “Southern Nights” and concludes with a sultry, slower number, “Til The Sun Goes Down.” Recorded in Nashville, Culpepper tapped former collaborators Oscar Charles (“Mean To Me,” “In Her Eyes”), Luke Preston (“Alabama Beauty Queen,” “Better Weather”) and Grady Block (“Break Me Like”), as well as additional creatives, to bring the new songs to life.
Recently earning his first nomination for Americana Honors & Awards Emerging Act of the Year, Culpepper has compiled a long list of accolades in just two years since his first release. Touted by Elton John as “if Bill Withers made country music” (here), and described by John Mayer as “as good as it gets,” Culpepper has made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBS Saturday Sessions, The Kelly Clarkson Show, NPR World Cafe and The Tamron Hall Show.
The Alabama native is part of Shazam’s 2026 Fast Forward Class, WXPN’s Artist to Watch for January 2026, 2026 Nashville Scene Artist to Watch, GRAMMY.com’s 25 Artists to Watch in 2025, Apple Music Zane Lowe’s 25 Artists for ’25, 2025 Variety Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report, Opry NextStage Class of
2025, Billboard‘s February 2025 Country Rookie of the Month, 2025 Amazon Music Bonfire Artist to Watch, Apple Music’s February 2025 Country Riser of the Month, 2025 Pandora Country Artist to Watch and Martin Artist Showcase Class of 2025.
Culpepper’s notable sound has taken him on the road with Leon Bridges, Sierra Ferrell, Darius Rucker and more. This year he embarked on a headlining run in major markets, as well as dates to come with Niall Horan, Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, Riley Green, Thomas Rhett, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Wyatt Flores. For more information or tickets, visit kashusculpepper.com.
Act I: Summer Nights
- “Southern Nights” (Allen Toussaint)
- “Let Me Show You Love” (Kashus Culpepper, Todd Clark, Seth Ennis, Mike Robinson)
- “Miss You Much Longer” (Kashus Culpepper, Grady Block, Mike Robinson)
- “Lights Fade Interlude” (Kashus Culpepper, David Crutcher, Mike Robinson)
- “Til The Sun Goes Down” (Kashus Culpepper, Nathan Bess, Oscar Charles, Luke Preston)
Kashus Culpepper | Image by Brayln Kelly Smith
