Birmingham is about to swap camo for concert lights. The World Deer Expo — yes, the largest hunting expo on the planet — is officially stepping into the spotlight with the launch of the inaugural Field & Stage Music Fest, a brand-new three-night country music experience landing July 17–19 at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.

Festival organizers have just dropped the first wave of headliners, and it’s a heavy-hitting roster built for both die-hard country fans and weekend warriors alike: Jake Owen, Eli Young Band, and The Oak Ridge Boys will lead the charge, with more artists and special guests slated for announcement in the coming weeks.

Born as a natural extension of the long-running World Deer Expo, Field & Stage Music Fest is designed to merge outdoor culture and live country music into one immersive destination weekend. “For years, fans have asked us to bring nighttime concerts to World Deer Expo weekend,” said Bob Coker, Founder of the World Deer Expo. “We listened. Partnering with Producer Monica Fitzgibbons, Field & Stage Music Fest is our answer — a first-of-its-kind experience where the excitement of the expo seamlessly flows into live music each night. From Expo to Encore, the experience never stops.”

Meet the Headliners

Jake Owen brings serious firepower to the festival’s debut. The ACM Award winner has racked up 10 No. 1 singles, gold and platinum certifications, and more than 2.5 billion U.S. on-demand streams behind laid-back anthems like “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Beachin’,” “Anywhere With You,” and “The One That Got Away.” His most recent album, the critically acclaimed DREAMS TO DREAM (co-produced with Shooter Jennings), fueled his 2026 “Dreams To Dream” tour earlier this year.

Eli Young Band, the Denton, Texas four-piece celebrating 25 years with their original lineup intact, will bring their Texas-rock-meets-modern-country edge to Birmingham. With four No. 1 hits including the 5x Platinum “Crazy Girl,” the 3x Platinum “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” and the 2x Platinum “Love Ain’t,” EYB has earned ACM and CMA accolades and a millions-strong fan base built one packed venue at a time.

The Oak Ridge Boys round out the opening salvo with a catalog that needs no introduction. Seventeen No. 1 hits, Grammy Awards, more than 41 million albums sold, and timeless sing-alongs like “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” “American Made,” and “Thank God For Kids” — this is country music history live on stage.

Honoring America’s 250th

Field & Stage Music Fest also arrives in a milestone year, as the country approaches its 250th anniversary celebration. Organizers plan to honor veterans, patriotism, and the deep traditions that connect the country music and outdoor communities — a fitting backdrop for a festival built on Southern hospitality and shared heritage.

Get a taste of headliner Jake Owen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63hF1lEsbo0

Tickets and additional festival announcements are available now at FieldandStageMusic.com and via Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.com/field-stage-music-fest-tickets/artist/4449344

Mark the dates — July 17, 18, and 19 — and keep an eye on the lineup as more artists are revealed in the weeks ahead. From Expo to Encore, Birmingham’s summer just got a whole lot louder.