SWANZEY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) For country singer-songwriter April Cushman, some of the biggest moments of her career have happened far from home.

She’s shared bills with nationally known artists, played before tens of thousands of fans and spent years building a following that stretches well beyond New Hampshire. Yet one of the performances she’s most looking forward to this summer is taking place less than a mile from her front door.

Cushman will be one of the featured performers Saturday at Winkfest, WINK Country’s annual country music festival at Frogg Brewing Company in Swanzey. Hosted by 98.7 WINK Country, one of Monadnock Media Group’s eight radio stations, the event has become a summer tradition for country music fans across the Monadnock Region, bringing together live music, local food vendors, craft activities and family-friendly entertainment.

The festival’s lineup includes Heath Lewis & Sean Lake, the April Cushman Duo and Redneck Castaway Band, a tribute to country superstar Kenny Chesney.

For Cushman, the appearance is more than just another stop on a busy performance calendar. It’s a chance to play in front of neighbors, friends and longtime supporters who have watched her evolve from a local musician into one of New England’s rising country artists.

Music has been a part of her life almost from the beginning.

The New Hampshire native started playing guitar at age 5 after becoming captivated by evenings spent listening to her father play music in the family’s living room. Influenced by artists such as John Denver, James Taylor, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty and Sheryl Crow, she developed a sound that blends country, Americana, folk and rock influences.

She sang in church choir, played multiple instruments in school and eventually began writing songs of her own. About a decade ago, songwriting became a more serious pursuit, encouraged by a simple but memorable moment involving her daughter.

“I just remember the first time I ever wrote,” Cushman said. “I wrote it on the stairwell in my house, and [my daughter] lined up her stuffed animals and all her Barbies … so that they could sit there and watch me play guitar.”

Those personal experiences continue to shape her music today.

Recently named among Tractor Supply’s Top 10 Emerging Artists and Songwriters alongside country star Lainey Wilson, Cushman has built a reputation for songs rooted in authentic life experiences. Rather than focusing on what she described as the stereotypical themes often associated with country music, she writes about family, sobriety, relationships, personal growth and the realities of life on the road.

“Everything that inspires my records are other people’s stories, or things that I see people go through, or things that I experience,” she said. “Everything is typically inspired by day-to-day life, and just the real stuff.”

That approach has helped create a strong connection with listeners. Fans regularly share stories about how her music has helped them through difficult periods in their own lives.

One of her most personal songs, “The Price I Pay,” off her recently-released sophomore album of the same name, examines the sacrifices required to pursue a music career while balancing family responsibilities. The song was inspired in part by her experiences traveling for performances and the emotional challenges that come with spending time away from her husband and daughter.

At the same time, the song reflects the powerful connections she makes with audiences. One verse was inspired by a young fan who told Cushman that her music helped her cope with the loss of her mother.

The song has become one of her signature pieces and is expected to be part of Saturday’s acoustic set with guitarist Brad Myrick.

While her career has taken her far beyond the Monadnock Region, Cushman remains deeply connected to her hometown roots. She still lives on her family’s farm in Swanzey and continues to balance touring, recording and songwriting with family life.

The past year has brought some of the biggest opportunities of her career. She has been collaborating with accomplished Nashville songwriters and was invited to perform at a New England Patriots game at Gillette Stadium, where she played before a crowd of approximately 65,000 people.

Yet even with those milestones, Cushman says the journey has never been easy.

“I’ve been a full-time musician for almost a decade now, and it’s a lot of sacrifice and a lot of hard work that doesn’t necessarily always come back in a monetizable achievement,” she said.

For Cushman, however, the rewards go far beyond ticket sales or streaming numbers. They come in the moments when a song resonates with someone who needed to hear it.

“The price you pay for dreaming is being away from your family, but you’re also changing, you know, one life at a time,” she said.

Winkfest takes place Saturday, June 20, at Frogg Brewing Company, 580 Sawyers Crossing Road in Swanzey. Gates open at 2 p.m., with music beginning at 3 p.m. The event will also feature food vendors, photo opportunities, vendors and activities throughout the afternoon and evening.

Advance tickets are $15, with children under 10 admitted free. Tickets will be $20 at the gate and are available here. The event is rain or shine, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Free parking and shuttle service will be available from Brown Memorial Field.