The world experienced a collective new normal brought by the pandemic. However, this didn’t stop rising country artists from showing their global talents. With the trend of live streams and other new multimedia platforms, people are forced to express their creativity.
In this article, we will get to know the top newest country artists that would fill 2021 with new breeds of original country music. Here are the names to look out for this year:
1. Sean Stemaly
Sean Stemaly is from Kentucky and grabbed the spotlight as he sang his single “Come Back To Bed.” Since he released his song in Spring 2020, everything turned around for him. His latest song, “As Far As I know,” follows his huge success.
He signed with Big Loud Records and thrives in blending traditional and contemporary country music. He does so while adding his signature flair, making a fresh take on soul sound/R&B country. With his unique music and charisma, 2021 is Stemaly’s year to shine as he’s expected to release a debut effort.
2. Kameron Marlowe
Kameron Marlow hit the spotlight when he first went to The Voice Season 15. When he caught the show’s producers’ attention, he made a career for himself even without winning the famous singing competition.
After the show, he shared his debut single, “Giving You Up.” Millions of ears enjoyed the song that made him earn his first management deal. He signed with AMG for management and Sony/ATV Music Publishing for his songwriting career.
Later on, this country singer from North Carolina signed with Columbia Nashville/Sonny Music Nashville. In Fall 2020, he then released his self-titled EP. This included classic country favorites such as “Burn ‘Em All,” “Sober As A Drunk,” and “Leavin’ To Me.”
With his gritty vocals that offer a rock/classic country sound, Marlowe proves to be a stand out in the modern era. 2021 is an exciting year for this newbie in the industry, and he looks ready to up his gear up a notch.
3. Priscilla Block
When Priscilla Block released her women empowerment song, she was set to succeed in the country music industry. “Thick Thighs” became an anthem in its rights as it became a viral hit and conquered the charts.
Her song “Just About Over You” was also a fan favorite, hitting millions of streams in a single day. iTunes had it as the Number 1 in this all-genre chart soon after the song’s release.
The singer’s talent for songwriting made her truth-telling and relatable for the masses. This allowed her to have her first-ever major record deal with the renowned Universal Music Group Nashville. Her self-made success made this radio-friendly singer one of country music’s newest sought artists this year.
She’s released her newest song “I Bet You Wanna Know” on January 6, proving how she’s capable of earning a bigger and rapidly growing fan base.
4. Tiera
While her high school friends are in school, focusing on their grades and homework, Tiera is already paving her path to stardom. The Alabama native began fueling her passion for music and songwriting in her teenage years, and Tierra has since bloomed into one of Nashville’s rising stars to keep an eye on.
“So I was just doing it for fun, and then I started playing talent shows and festivals around my town, and then I started writing songs,” she said. “And I think that’s what got me into country music because it naturally came out country because I wrote stuff about my life, and that’s what country music is about, so it definitely was a natural progression for me.”
In 2018, she appeared on the televised singing show Real Country and was praised for her country authenticity by none other than the member of country royalty, judge Shania Twain – who said that she found a superstar in Tierra and “I want this young lady representing country music around the world.”
5. SixForty1
With their catchy instrumentals, distinct lyrics, and alluring sound, the duo are guaranteed to cherish a fruitful 2021. Brooks Hoffman and Austin Gee are members of the rising pop-country duo SixForty1. Together, they offer a fresh new sound with their snappy pop elements while keeping their classic country roots. This pair just knows what to do to keep their fans craving for more every time they release a new song.
They released a total of five tracks throughout 2020. “Somebody’s Gonna,” “Forget Those Heels,” “Get Gone,” “Four Good Years” are just some of their songs that further cement them as rising country stars. Hoffman and Gee are preparing for 2021 as they are producing five more tracks that they will release throughout this year.
6. Carolyn Miller
Carolyn Miller released “Get Gone,” a single that made this rising star a favorite since June 2020. This song swiftly became a top hit and it’s one of her most stream singles on Spotify. As of writing, her song amassed over 139k streams.
A little later after the release of her single, Radio Disney Country recognized her song “All In” as the “Song of the Week.” The same song also earned her substantial radio play at New York’s Country 94.7 (WNSH). Her song was also added to several notable Spotify playlists.
Miller’s passion drives her to power through the pandemic and continues to release original songs. She released two original songs and one cover the renowned Christmas track, “Mary, Did You Know?” This cover made her have a spot on various media outlets such as CMT.
This New York native singer received quite a fulfilling 2020. She hosted and performed on several notable occasions. In the same year, she also secured her first radio airplay in NY with her fresh songs. She also sang the National Anthem during the NY Mets game.
The young singer gave people a glimpse of what’s in store for her in 2021. Like her fan-favorite song, it looks like she’s planning to go “All In” with her music, making her climb the charts soon enough.
7. Tyler Booth
With his deep southern drawl, smooth baritone vocals, and catchy country looks, Tyler Booth instantly draws country fans in.
Booth started performing at fairs and festivals all over his home state since he was in high school, but it was during his college days that he found even more opportunities. While attending Morehead State University, Booth met respected producer-songwriter Phil O’Donnell, who wrote songs for Billy Ray Cyrus, Trace Adkins, and Joe Diffie.
O’Donnell was amazed by Booth’s authentic voice and songwriting skills that the two eventually developed a collaborative friendship, helping Booth create his self-titled EP in 2017. Since then, Booth’s career has kept an upward trajectory.
Booth has now inked a global publishing contract with Warner Chappell Music and scored a recording deal with Villa40/Sony Music Nashville.
8. Restless Road
Restless Road is one of the newest country trios in the music industry. It celebrates the talent of Garret Nichols, Zach Beeken, and Colton Pack. This group started on the Season 3 of 2013 X-Factor. They met Kane Brown in the same competition who was also trying to make something for himself through the show.
In 2020, they crossed roads with Kane Brown again. The country superstar took them under his wings and signed them to his record label. Soon after, the trio released their country debut single. It was a duet featuring Brown called “Take Me Home.”
In late February, the trio also released their self-titled debut EP. With that, grey grew their fan base more through their impressive harmonies and stunning songwriting.
Fast forward in October 2020, the rising country trio signed their first worldwide publishing deal with Sony/ATV. They also told the fans during CMT’s Off The Road With Restless Road that they’re having Dan Huff onboard for their upcoming debut album. It’s expected to be released within 2021.
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To further their reach, they are also getting ahead with their viral Tiktok videos. This platform lets them expand their growth as they’re preparing for an even bigger year in 2021.
9. Kylie Morgan
The rising country star is absolutely surrounded by a charming air, something the country music industry has always adored through the years. While growing up in Oklahoma, Kylie Morgan would immediately blast some Reba McEntire and Shania Twain’s hits as soon as she’d come home from school. She would then dance and sing along to them.
“I remember thinking, ‘Oh, I would give anything to be on there one day,'” Morgan said. “While other little girls were planning their wedding, I was planning my record.”
And Morgan truly made everything in her power to grow into one of those women. The moment she got her first guitar at the age of 12, she quickly asserted to her mother that she would skip college to become a country singer.
“Once she got her breath back and realized how serious I was, she supported me 100 percent,” she said. “I think she saw how driven I was and how much I loved it. There really was no other choice for me.”
With her debut album just around the corner, you can expect for Morgan to make a sound impression in the new year.
10. Tyler Braden
Braden first entered the spotlight in summer 2020. His Warner Music Nashville debut “Brother” pulled fans to his expressive voice. The song “Love Is A Dead End Road” made way for his songwriting debut that captivated fans to his witty lyrics. In the last quarter of the year, he releases the single called “Pretty Paper,” letting his fans wonder for more release of his full-length album. It’s poised to arrive around 2021.
His songwriting expertise makes Braden a hot topic for upcoming country stars. His latest single was entirely penned by him, which fans will enjoy in the release of his full-length album according to his official website Tylerbraden.com.
If you haven’t heard of him, you better catch up and keep an eye on him as he tries to smash the charts this year.
11. Allie Colleen
Her single called “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised)” earned Allie Colleen her first country hit in 2020. As she continues to make music, she shows no signs of slowing down. Her fan base of “cool kids” also skyrockets and aims to support her career until she becomes number one in the country charts.
She was diagnosed with COVID-19 in early 2020 but she was unstoppable in making new music. She then releases a double-sided original project that offers singles such as “Road You take” and “Best Friend.”
The country singer is no newbie in the music industry. In 2021, her strong vocals and talent for writing songs are set to take her to the top.
12. Ashlie Amber
Growing up as a kid in Colorado, Ashlie Amber dreamt of being a country star. Thanks to her peers in her neighborhood who introduced her to country music early on, in which she quickly fell for the voices of LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, and Shania Twain.
But being the only Black family in the area, Amber already knew the lack of diversity at a young age. And when she finally decided to pursue country music in her hometown, no one would seriously take her desires.
“Everybody always asks me, ‘How did you start getting involved in country? You rock a huge frohawk, and you’re not the typical look,'” she said. “Everybody was like, ‘What are we going to do with you? You should do R&B. You should do hip-hop. You should do this; you should do that.’ So, I naturally went where things took me.”
Still, Amber hopes to deliver her own kind of country music to the genre and “to be the Beyonce of country.” The release of her latest single, “Fight With You,” is definitely setting the stage for an even brighter new year.
13. Kären McCormick
What makes Kären McCormick so unique is that she doesn’t have your usual country music backstory. A native of Brazzaville, Congo, and raised in Washington state, the newcomer leaves her mark on country music with a warm, welcoming voice combined with the heartwarming lyrics.
She has since impressed her fellow country singers, performed on several shows, including two dates on Kelsea Ballerini’s Unapologetically Tour with Walker Hayes, as well as an opening slot on The Voice alum’s Terry McDermott’s tour.
Following her 2019 breakout single, “Dancing With Him Tonight,” McCormick celebrated the release of her debut EP “Retro.” She is slated to release her second album in spring 2021.
14. Walker Montgomery
Walker Montgomery is basically country music royalty – the country music genre runs deep in his blood.
He is actually the son of John Michael Montgomery, one of the 1990s biggest stars with seven No. 1 hits and 30 charting singles under his belt. He is also the nephew of renowned Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery.
But despite those family ties, Montgomery’s music is rooted deeply in the 1990s country with a modern twist. The music that he has released so far draws primarily from that community.
“These songs have definitely got that ’90s flair to them. They’ve got that rockin’ Telecaster. But they’ve got real modern lyrics,” he points out. “And I think that’s the best of both worlds, especially these three songs that are coming out. But they definitely have a lot of that ’90s influence. You can hear it from the first note.”
The new year promises more new music — he has already recorded six songs and ready for release — and, hopefully, he gets to tour too. Montgomery’s hungry to rip up some highway and take the stage anew.
15. Jameson Rodgers
This Batesville, Mississippi native set the bar higher when he scored his first-ever No.1 and then released a duet with a country superstar.
When Jameson Rodger’s “Some Girls” earned the top spot, he then sang with Luke Combs in their “Cold Beer Calling My Name” duet in 2020.
His songwriting prowess not only allowed him to make his music but also helped him co-pen songs for various artists. He was able to work with Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, and Jason Aldean. His recent songwriting stint was the title track to Luke Bryan’s “Born Here, Live Here, Die Here.”
Rodgers’ single “Cold Beer Calling My Name” continues to crawl up the country charts. In 2021, he’s set to prove everyone right in believing in him to be the next top country artist.
We at Country Thang Daily are always looking out for new voices the audience has to hear. This list could go on forever but we hope we gave you more ideas on which new country songs to listen to.
Did your new 2021 country favorite made it to this list? Were you expecting to read another name here? Tell us about them!
