Rising country music stars Nate Smith, Lauren Watkins entertain fans at UNK

Nate Smith, an Academy of Country Music Award nominee for 2023 New Male Artist of the Year, headlined UNK’s spring concert Wednesday night at the Health and Sports Center. Opening for Smith was Lauren Watkins, a Nashville-born talent who was Billboard’s November 2023 Country Rookie of the Month and named CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2024.

UNK’s Loper Programming and Activities Council organized and sponsored the spring concert.

PHOTOS BY ERIKA PRITCHARD, UNK COMMUNICATIONS