For the first time in over a decade, Canadian country music star Brett Kissel is returning to the Boots and Hearts Music Festival stage. Kissel will take the stage on Aug. 7, to open for the Jonas Brothers. “It’s been 12 years since I’ve been there, I’m just happy that I still have a career,” Kissel said in an interview with CTV News. Kissel recalled the last time he performed, remembering that he and fellow musician Dallas Smith were part of a rising stars showcase at the music festival at that time. “We were the young guys just trying to make it in the business and now you look at how many awards he’s won and the things I’ve been able to do, it’s really cool that you fast forward all this time and there’s nothing similar other than I’m probably going the wear the same Cowboy hat,” Kissel said. Kissel said he had two songs out when he played the festival for the first time, adding “and now since then, we’ve had like 25 or 26 songs that have gone top 10.” “I was a rookie back then, I didn’t know how to entertain a crowd. That was the biggest crowd I ever played for,” Kissel said, adding, “and now I feel like a seasoned veteran.” Kissel said he has not decided his tracklist, despite the show coming up so soon, as he makes the decision often on stage, based on the crowd’s age and energy. “There’s that saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Kissel said. “I’m going to look out at my crowd and try to articulate to them that we need to make up for lost time,” he said “it’s been a dozen years since I’ve played one of the biggest country festivals in the world.” On Aug. 7, Kissel will be alongside artists like Dasha and Russell Dickerson, opening up for the Jonas Brothers. Kissel is also up for three nominations at the Canadian County Music Awards 2026, including entertainer of the year, fans’ choice award and video of the year.
