Who are the New Country Artists?
Country music is welcoming a new batch of talented artists ready to make their mark in 2024.
With fresh sounds and compelling stories to tell, these rising stars have the potential to become the next big names in Nashville and beyond.
10 New Country Artists
1. Alexis Cunningham
Hailing from Oklahoma, Alexis Cunningham brings a downhome sound with powerful vocals that are equally at home belting out heartbreak ballads or barn-burning honky-tonk rave-ups.
Her recent EP introduced a songwriter with a keen eye for detail and an ability to share relatable tales of small-town life.
2. Corey Kent
He has already made waves as a Country Music Association “Best New Country Artist to Watch” in 2023.
With his ’90s-influenced blend of neo-traditional and contemporary country, Corey Kent looks poised to follow in the shoes of chart-toppers like Alan Jackson and Clint Black this year.
His resonating baritone will have audiences hooked.
3. Johnny Scalco
New Orleans native Johnny Scalco is one of the hot country singers to watch for.
Johnny is known for his traditional yet contemporary sound has taken the country music world by storm.
His heartfelt lyrics and smooth vocals on his debut ep “Nine to Five” breathe new life into the country genre.
4. Ernest
The viral success of breakout track “Flower Shops” proved Ernest is an artist who knows how to be genuine and connect with fans.
His songwriting cuts straight to the heart, bearing his soul with emotional vulnerability and poetic flair reminiscent of a country star named John Mayer.
5. Frankie Raye
Frankie Raye is poised to become the next big traditional country female artist.
The Florida based singer-songwriter has gained a following through a throwback sound recalling icons like Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette.
She could lead a return to no-frills country basics this year.
6. Jackson Dean
Hailing from small-town South Carolina, gravelly-voiced Jackson Dean stunned country radio with a brazen major label debut single “Don’t Come Lookin’.”
His high-energy performances and bold creative vision could blaze a trail for country’s next outlaw movement.
7. Karissa Ella
Karissa Ella’s unique low register stands out from typical female country vocalists.
The Georgia talent leans into her jazz and RnB influences with honeyed runs and riffs.
As her songwriting continues to mature, she will further define her distinctive lane in the genre.
8. Keelan Donovan
Pennsylvania’s Keelan Donovan impressively self-released two EPs that spotlight both rollicking bro-country energy and tender balladry.
With his strong sense of melody and relatable songwriting, Keelan has honed the versatility required to be a modern country hitmaker.
9. Kenny Feidler
Kenny Feidler brings Red Dirt grit while signaling Nashville polish as a new artist on the country scene.
The Oklahoma native’s vivid storytelling paints a compelling picture of small town living and big dreams.
His unique perspective couples with solid country gold songcraft.
10. Kimberly Dawn
Arkansas native Kimberly Dawn turned heads taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry at age 16.
Now 21, her powerhouse pipes and retro stylings conjure comparisons to fellow Opry inductees like Connie Smith.
Kimberly Dawn feels like a voice from the past with unlimited potential in country’s future.
More Emerging New Country Artists
11. Lilah Drew
A standout on Season 22 of “The Voice,” Lilah Drew displays prodigious country pop promise with a feel-good sound that radiates sunny vibes.
Her bubbly charisma and uplifting messaging could make the Minnesota singer impossible not to root for as she chases her Nashville dreams.
12. Meghan Clark
Soulful southern rock singer Meghan Clark has been cutting her teeth playing over 150 shows per year across the Southeast club circuit.
Her gritty heartfelt performances reveal an artist who has logged the road hours and paid musical dues necessary to level up to the big time.
13. Nick Shoulders
Nick Shoulders creatively merges old school folk, country and roots rock to birth an utterly unique sound.
With eccentric rustic story-songs spotlighting Shoulders’ distinct yodeling and warbling, the Oklahoma artist colors gleefully outside the lines of the conventional country playbook.
14. Presley Barker
Hailing from Music City royalty as the daughter of country hit songwriter Casey Beathard, powerhouse vocalist Presley Barker learned from the best within the country music world.
Whether flashing technical precision or channeling vulnerable pathos, Presley’s dynamic range brims with promise of country stardom being in her DNA.
15. Randall King
His 2021 album shot to No. 1 on the iTunes Country chart and made the Billboard hot 100 but Randall King is already converted longtime fans into his rowdy concerts. But the mainstream has yet to catch up.
His gritty, blue collar classic country rock could finally get its well-deserved radio respect and Randall is definitely one to watch.
Other New Country Artists
16. Reagan Ruelle
Classically trained pianist and Yale grad Reagan Ruelle brings prodigious musical chops to her country songwriting.
Her heartfelt ballads and textured instrumentation signal an artist able to tap deep wells of human emotion through precise lyrical detail. Great things await.
17. Savannah Keyes
Savannah Keyes showcases versatility as both a powerhouse vocalist comfortable in any lane and an intuitive songwriter across genres.
After winning USA Network’s “Real Country” competition, the Pittsburgh talent continues honing her craft as she knocks at country’s door.
18. Seth Ennis
Seth Ennis has steadily built buzz as an “artist’s artist” within Nashville, co-writing gold and platinum hits behind the scenes for artists like Little Big Town and Dierks Bentley.
After whetting fans’ appetites with an EP trilogy, we may finally see this promising talent step fully into the spotlight.
19. Taylor Austin Dye
As the daughter of seasoned country songwriter Steve Dye, Nashville-born Taylor Austin Dye was born into country royalty.
Her 2023 debut country song “Track Record” showcased mature songcraft, her passion for music and her quirky personality.
More clever lyrical wordplay lies ahead as she comes into her own this year.
20. Willie Mack
Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley hand-picked Willie Mack after the newcomer impressed singing covers on social media.
His 2023 single “In the Morning” displayed stellar country pipes and pop sensibility that could cross him over to mainstream modern country music success with Kelley’s guidance.
New Country Artists According to Google
2022 and 2023 were great years for artists such as Morgan Wallen, Megan Moroney, Ashley Cooke, Kane Brown and Cody Johnson. But 2024 is shaping up to be a promising year as country music’s next generation makes their mark.
As country fans, which rising new country artist are you most excited to follow into the future?
Photo Credits:
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