Nashville Best Of 2026 · Best Nashville Singer-Songwriter
Jason Isbell
Songs that cut straight to the heart, lyrics full of honesty, and a guitar that can bring the house down. A six-time Grammy winner whose annual Ryman residency is a Nashville tradition, Jason Isbell is our pick for the best singer-songwriter in Nashville.
The Verdict
Best Nashville Singer-Songwriter: Why Isbell Earns the Title
Nashville is a city built on songwriters, and Jason Isbell stands among the very best of his generation. His songs find the deepest human emotions in the simplest moments, from love and loss to family and home, and turn them into something that feels like poetry. Critics rave about his writing, but fans will tell you the real magic is how personal every song feels.
He’s also a force on stage. With his band the 400 Unit, Isbell is a fiery guitarist and a commanding performer, and his multi-night Ryman residency has been one of Nashville’s most anticipated concert traditions for more than a decade. Add six Grammy Awards, a role in the Oscar-nominated film Killers of the Flower Moon, and a stripped-down 2025 solo album, and it’s clear he’s still at the top of his game.
6x
Grammy Award Winner
10+
Years of Annual Ryman Residencies
6
Ryman Nights in October 2026
2001
Joined the Drive-By Truckers
Essential Listening
Where to Start
New to Isbell? These three records are the perfect introduction.
Southeastern (2013)
The breakthrough record that made Isbell a songwriting heavyweight. Start with “Cover Me Up” and “Elephant,” two songs that show just how much he can say in a few simple lines.
Something More Than Free (2015)
A Grammy-winning album of working-class stories and quiet hope. Isbell reissued a remastered edition on his own Southeastern Records to celebrate its 10th anniversary, complete with a previously unreleased B-side.
Foxes in the Snow (2025)
Just Isbell, his voice, and a 1940 Martin acoustic guitar. Recorded at New York’s Electric Lady Studios, this stripped-down solo album puts his songwriting front and center.
The Story
From North Alabama to the Mother Church
Jason Isbell grew up in North Alabama, not far from the legendary recording studios of Muscle Shoals, and joined the Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers in 2001, where his songwriting quickly stood out. He launched his solo career in 2007 and formed his band, the 400 Unit, named for a psychiatric ward at a hospital in Florence, Alabama.
His 2013 album Southeastern was a breakthrough, and a string of acclaimed records followed, earning Grammys and a devoted following. Today he releases music on his own label, Southeastern Records, and his fall stands at the Ryman have become a rite of passage for fans, with setlists that change from night to night and fans lining up early for show-specific posters.
“From my heart to the page.”
Jason Isbell, on his songwriting, to Pollstar (2026)
Where to See Him
Catch Isbell Live
There’s no better way to hear Isbell’s songs than live in Nashville. His annual Ryman residency is the hottest ticket in town each fall.
The 2026 Ryman Residency
October 15–17 & 22–24, 2026
Six nights with the 400 Unit at the Ryman, our Best Live Music Venue, with Memphis-inspired openers including Southern Avenue, The Bo-Keys, and Lucero’s Ben Nichols.
On Tour
Can’t make the Ryman? Isbell tours throughout the year, both with the 400 Unit and in solo acoustic shows. Check his official site for the latest dates.
Residency Tips
Setlists change nightly, so die-hard fans often catch more than one show. Arrive early if you want the limited-edition posters made for each night.
Hear the Songs Live
Grab tickets to his Ryman residency or an upcoming tour date, and hear some of the finest songwriting in America in person.
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