Bailey Zimmerman Kicks Off Headlining Tour with Energetic Florida Show

Country star delivers 22-song setlist including hits like 'Backup Plan' and 'Religiously' on opening night

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Country music rising star Bailey Zimmerman kicked off his first headlining arena tour last night (February 19) with a sold-out show at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida. The 22-song setlist featured a mix of hits from his debut album, including 'Backup Plan,' 'Rock and a Hard Place,' and 'Religiously.' Zimmerman also welcomed opening acts Hudson Westbrook and Blake Whiten to join him on stage for collaborations.

Why it matters

Zimmerman has experienced a meteoric rise in country music over the past few years, going from working in the gas pipeline industry to scoring multiple No. 1 hits on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. This tour marks a major milestone in his career as he transitions to headlining his own arena shows across North America.

The details

Zimmerman's Different Night Same Rodeo tour, promoted by Live Nation, will hit over 30 cities across the U.S. and Canada before wrapping up on June 20 in Ottawa, Ontario. Other key stops include Boston, Fort Worth, Toronto, and two nights in Nashville. The opening night setlist showcased Zimmerman's rapid rise, as he only released his first major label album in 2022 after building a following through TikTok videos of his original songs.

  • The tour kicked off on February 19, 2026 in Estero, Florida.
  • The tour will run through June 20, 2026, with a stop in Ottawa, Ontario on the final date.

The players

Bailey Zimmerman

A rising country music star who has scored multiple No. 1 hits on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in a short period of time, transitioning from working in the gas pipeline industry to headlining his own arena tour.

Hudson Westbrook

An opening act on Zimmerman's tour, who joined him on stage to perform the song 'New to Country'.

Blake Whiten

Another opening act on Zimmerman's tour, who joined him on stage to perform the song 'Hell or High Water'.

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What they’re saying

“It's been a rapid rise for Zimmerman, who only released his first major label full studio album in 2022 and never performed live before 2021.”

— Melinda Newman, Author (Billboard)

What’s next

The Different Night Same Rodeo tour will continue on to Athens, Georgia on February 21, 2026 before hitting over 30 cities across North America.

The takeaway

Bailey Zimmerman's meteoric rise in country music, going from working in the gas pipeline industry to headlining his own sold-out arena tour in just a few years, is a testament to the power of social media and building a dedicated fanbase. His energetic opening night performance showcases his potential to become one of country music's next big stars.