SOUL COUNTRY MUSIC & CULTURE FESTIVAL BRINGS $10,000 NATIONAL MUSIC CHAMPIONSHIP, BLACK CLASSIC MOVIE NIGHT,

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT,

HEALTH & WELLNESS AND

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION TO LOS ANGELES

October 31–November 1 at the Autry Museum | Halloween screening of Vampire in Brooklyn, six national finalists competing for $10,000, live performances and community wellness benefiting the Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation.

LOS ANGELES, CA — October 15, 2026 — The Soul Country Music & Culture Festival returns to the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, 2026. The two-day celebration opens with a Halloween Black Classic Movie Night featuring Vampire in Brooklyn, starring Eddie Murphy, and culminates Sunday with the Soul Country Music Star National Finals.

Produced by Wade & Associates Group in partnership with the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo and Radio Free 102.3 KJLH, the festival combines soul and country music, live entertainment, food, shopping, health and wellness resources, and family-friendly activities. Proceeds will benefit the Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation.

BLACK CLASSIC MOVIE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS — VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN STARRING EDDIE MURPHY

The weekend begins Saturday, October 31, with an outdoor screening of the Black cinema classic Vampire in Brooklyn, starring Eddie Murphy. The festival marketplace opens at 5:30 p.m., with the movie screening at 7:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy live music, food trucks, shopping, a health pavilion, line dancing, costume activities, family-friendly Halloween entertainment and museum tours.

Saturday sets the stage for Sunday’s centerpiece: the Soul Country Music Star National Finals.

SIX NATIONAL FINALISTS COMPETE FOR $10,000 AND A NATIONAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY

On Sunday, November 1, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., six performers from across the United States will compete for a $10,000 grand prize and the opportunity to perform on the 2027 Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo tour.

The 2026 National Finalists

Silas Reed IV — Memphis

Brenda Guy — Dallas–Fort Worth

Glenn Stanton — Los Angeles

Jacqueline Merrill — Atlanta

Darin Baker King — Los Angeles, Wildcard Winner

Jovon Newman — National Online Competition Winner

CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF SOUL COUNTRY MUSIC STAR

Now in its third competition season, Soul Country Music Star continues to provide a national platform for emerging performers. The inaugural 2024 competition introduced Kirk Jay as its first champion. Jay, a finalist on Season 15 of NBC’s The Voice, returns to host the 2026 National Finals.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR SOUL COUNTRY MUSIC STAR

Soul Country Music Star has been named a 2026 Origins Impact Awards finalist in the Innovative Project category. Kirk Jay is also a finalist in the Country Soul Artist category. The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 19, 2026, at the historic Woolworth Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2025, Nathaniel “Mr. Bow-Leggs” Dansby of Atlanta captured the national title and $10,000 grand prize, earning an opportunity to perform during the 2026 Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo tour. This year’s celebration features Kirk Jay, Nathaniel Dansby, Terisa Griffin and Makeda & The Israel Band.

MORE THAN A MUSIC FESTIVAL — A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY, CULTURE AND WELLNESS

The festival brings families, friends and neighbors together through entertainment and community support. Attractions include a Health & Wellness Pavilion with cancer, domestic violence and mental health awareness resources; a vendor marketplace; food trucks; live music; line dancing; family-friendly activities; and opportunities to support small businesses.

A FESTIVAL WITH A PURPOSE: SUPPORTING THE BLACK BEAUTY & WELLNESS FOUNDATION

Proceeds from the festival benefit the Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation, supporting its commitment to beauty, wellness, education and healthier communities. Festival programming also highlights cancer awareness, domestic violence awareness and mental health.

EVENT INFORMATION

Soul Country Music & Culture Festival

Saturday, October 31 – Sunday, November 1, 2026

Autry Museum of the American West | 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Saturday: Marketplace opens 5:30 p.m.; movie screening 7:30 p.m.

Sunday: Doors 11:30 a.m.; festival noon–6:00 p.m.; National Finals 1:00–3:00 p.m.; music and dancing 3:00–6:00 p.m.

Tickets & Information: www.soulcountrymusic.com

Ticket Promotion: SAVE5 for $5 off while available

Vendor & Sponsorship Inquiries: info@soulcountrymusic.com | (323) 440-4600

Vendor & Sponsorship Partnership Application: https://www.soulcountrymusic.com/partnership

Soul County Music & Culture Festival REGISTER

Limited-time Early Bird discount code: SAVE5

TELEVISION, NEWS MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT PRESS

AND INFLUENCERS INVITED

KRPR Media Group invites television, radio, entertainment press, newspapers, community journalists, photographers, bloggers, podcasters and digital influencers to cover the festival. Story opportunities include the six finalists and $10,000 prize, Black artists in country music, the Halloween film screening, the community wellness pavilion, small businesses, live performances and the crowning of the 2026 champion.

EXCLUSIVE MEDIA INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

Margo Wade LaDrew, Founder and Executive Producer of Soul Country Music Star, is available for interviews by advance arrangement to discuss the competition, emerging artists, Black culture, wellness and charitable giving. Additional interviews may be arranged with the finalists, Kirk Jay, Nathaniel Dansby, featured performers, foundation representatives, wellness organizations and vendors, subject to availability.

VOTE EARLY AT THE AUTRY MUSEUM

The Autry Museum is also scheduled to serve as a Los Angeles County Vote Center for the November 3 General Election. Early voting: October 31–November 2, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Election Day: November 3, 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Confirm official dates and location at www.lavote.gov before distribution.

ABOUT

ABOUT SOUL COUNTRY MUSIC STAR

A national performance platform that discovers and celebrates artists whose music reflects the powerful connection between soul and country. Through competitions held in cities across the country, selected performers advanced to the National Finals for the opportunity to win a trip to Los Angeles, $10,000 in cash and prizes, and the chance to perform for audiences during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo tour.

ABOUT THE BLACK BEAUTY & WELLNESS FOUNDATION

The Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation is the charitable beneficiary of the Soul Country Music & Culture Festival. Proceeds from the event will support the foundation's work to promote beauty, wellness, education and healthier communities.