Rising country-folk star Sam Barber has released a gripping new single titled ‘Man of the Year,' marking his first new music since his acclaimed debut album ‘Restless Mind.' The track is a raw, introspective reflection on navigating life’s uncertainties, adding fresh emotional depth to Barber’s signature stripped-down sound.
Written entirely by the 21-year-old singer-songwriter, ‘Man of the Year' opens with a stark lyrical portrait of internal and external struggle: “Is it in my mind, or are we all just sinking?/ Still fueled by the pain that never left me last season.” The chorus reveals Barber’s philosophy of resilience, even amid chaos and confusion: “You gotta take it as it goes ’cause it doesn’t get easier, dear/ It’s all an empty hole, and fuck it if I ain’t the man of the year.”
The song, produced by Ryan Hewitt (Noah Kahan, Cody Jinks) and Joe Becker, blends country storytelling with a darker folk-rock edge. Moody acoustic guitar textures, hypnotic rhythms, and a standout banjo bridge provide a powerful backdrop to Barber’s gritty vocals and hard-earned wisdom. ‘Man of the Year' is both a cathartic release and an anthem for anyone trying to find meaning in an often unforgiving world.
Barber has quickly become one of the genre’s most compelling new voices, racking up over 1.5 billion global streams. His breakout single “Straight and Narrow” is certified 2x Platinum and peaked at No. 13 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. His duet with Avery Anna, “Indigo,” reached No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has surpassed 300 million streams. Tracks like “Better Year,” featured on Yellowstone, have only solidified his place in the spotlight.
Following the success of Restless Mind, Barber launched the RESTLESS MIND WORLD TOUR 2025, hitting stages across the U.S., U.K., and Europe. Next, he heads to Australia for a sold-out eight-stop tour with support from Jonah Kagen. This summer, he’ll perform at CMA Fest before embarking on the SAM BARBER NORTH AMERICA TOUR, which runs through December 5. Several stops are already sold out, including shows at major venues like The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles and Webster Hall in New York City.
ANNOUNCED DATES FOR SAM BARBER NORTH AMERICA TOUR:
MAY
29 | Isle of Palms, SC – The Windjammer – SOLD OUT
30 | St. Augustine, FL – The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre ^ – LOW TICKETS
31 | Panama City Beach, FL – Gulf Coast Jam #
JUNE
6 | Nashville, TN – CMA Fest #
7 | Fishers, IN – Nickel Plate Amphitheater – LOW TICKETS
13 | Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall – LOW TICKETS
14 | Cape Giradeau, MO – Freedom Fest #
19 | Lewisburg, WV – Wild Trails Festival #
20 | Wildwood, NJ – Barefoot Country Music Fest #
21 | Norfolk, VA – The NorVa – SOLD OUT
JULY
10 | Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! – UPGRADED
11 | Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE – UPGRADED
12 | Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple Theatre – UPGRADED
13 | Chicago, IL – Windy City Smokeout #
17 | St. Louis, MO – The Factory – LOW TICKETS
18 | Tulsa, OK – Cain's Ballroom – SOLD OUT
19 | O'Neill, NE – Summerfest Celebration #
20 | Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue – SOLD OUT
23 | Columbia, MO – 9th Street Public House – LOW TICKETS
24 | Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre – SOLD OUT
26 | Fargo, ND – UP District Festival Field
AUGUST
7 | Boise, ID – Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden
8 | Spokane, WA – Gesa Credit Union Pavilion
9 | Tacoma, WA – Dune Peninsula
11 | Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre – SOLD OUT
15 | Forest Grove, OR – Grand Lodge
16 | Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre – SOLD OUT
18 | Sacramento, CA – Channel 24 – SOLD OUT
20 | San Francisco, CA – The Warfield – UPGRADED
22 | Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre – SOLD OUT
23 | San Diego, CA – Humphrey's Concerts By the Bay – SOLD OUT
27 | Flagstaff, AZ – Pepsi Amphitheater
28 | Santa Fe, NM – The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing – LOW TICKETS
29 | Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom – LOW TICKETS
SEPTEMBER
5 | Hutchinson, KS – Kansas State Fair # ~
6 | Stillwater, OK – Tumbleweed Dance Hall
13 | Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall – SOLD OUT
OCTOBER
12 | Salt Lake City, UT – RedWest Fest #
31 | Asheville, NC – Asheville Yards
NOVEMBER
1 | Raleigh, NC – The Ritz – SOLD OUT
5 | New York, NY – Webster Hall – SOLD OUT
6 | New York, NY – Webster Hall – SOLD OUT
7 | Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall – LOW TICKETS
8 | Boston, MA – Roadrunner – SOLD OUT
19 | Atlanta, GA – The Eastern
20 | Atlanta, GA – The Eastern – SOLD OUT
21 | St. Petersburg, FL – St. Pete Fest #
22 | Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live – SOLD OUT
DECEMBER
3 | Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels
5 | Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob's Texas – SOLD OUT
# festival date
^ support from Waylon Wyatt and Noah Rinker
~ special guest Avery Anna
