List Rules Only country artists who released no more than two studio albums.
Here are the best new country artists making some of the best country songs of 2018. Country music can feel inherently antiquated, given the genre takes pride in adhering to old-fashioned customs and traditions, but this doesn't mean new country singers don't emerge each year.
These trending country artists can bring a whole new perspective to the arena, modernizing country for a new audience, while keeping true to the medium's roots in the simple, timeless things in life. Who are the best new country artists? Browse this list to find out!
In recent history, new female country singers have emerged to flip the script of the often male-dominated field. At only 24, Kelsea Ballerini has released two acclaimed albums and was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2017 Grammy Awards. Ashley McBryde - who can count established country icon Eric Church among her supporters - had TheNew York Times list her song "A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega" as one of the best songs of 2017.
There are also many rising male country artists, like Sam Hunt, Kane Brown, and Walker Hayes. Other up-and-coming country music groups include Brothers Oborne, LANCO, Delta Rae, and Old Dominion.
Which of these young country singers is the most promising in the genre? Vote your favorites to the top of the list, and add any underrated artists missing from the list.
list ordered by
1
658 175
Luke Combs Luke Albert Combs (born March 2, 1990) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Combs signed a deal with Sony Music Nashville, and the debut single from This One's For You, ...more
2
494 159
JoeYanicak added Chris Stapleton Chris Stapleton is an American country, bluegrass, and rock musician signed to Universal Music Group Nashville. He is an established songwriter. with four number one songs including the 5-week ...more
3
463 193
Kane Brown Kane Allen Brown (born October 21, 1993) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He first came to the attention of the public through social media. He released his first EP, titled ...more
4
346 135
Cole SwindellHope You Get Lonely Tonight, Cole Swindell, Chillin' It Cole Swindell is a songwriter.
5
334 136
Brett Young Brett Charles Young (born March 23, 1981) is an American country pop singer and songwriter from Orange County, California. He was a college baseball pitcher but took up songwriting after an ...more
6
329 146
Jon PardiUp All Night, Write You a Song Jonathan Ryan "Jon" Pardi is an American country music singer/songwriter signed to Capitol Records Nashville.
7
226 79
1longjeff added MidlandMidland, On the Rocks
8
350 166
Kelsea Ballerini Kelsea Nicole Ballerini (born September 12, 1993) is an American country pop singer and songwriter. She is signed to Black River Entertainment, and released her first album The First Time in ...more
9
270 112
Brothers OsborneLet's Go There Brothers Osborne is an American country music duo consisting of brothers T.J. Osborne (lead vocals) and John Osborne (guitar, background vocals). They are signed to EMI Nashville, for which they ...more
10
281 125
Old Dominion Old Dominion is an American five-member country music band formed in Nashville, Tennessee. The band consists of Matthew Ramsey (lead vocals), Trevor Rosen (guitar, keyboards), Whit Sellers ...more
11
273 123
Madelyn_G added Carrie UnderwoodBlown Away, Carnival Ride, Some Hearts Carrie Marie Underwood is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Underwood has set and broke several records ...more
12
186 69
Madelyn_G added Dustin LynchDustin Lynch, Where It's At, Cowboys and Angels Dustin Charles Lynch is an American country music singer-songwriter.
13
215 101
Chris Janson Chris Janson is an American country music singer. He has charted two singles on the Billboard country singles charts, and has written songs for Tim McGraw and Justin Moore.
14
219 117
Lauren AlainaRoad Less Traveled, Wildflower Lauren Alaina (born Lauren Alaina Kristine Suddeth; November 8, 1994) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and actress from Rossville, Georgia. Alaina was the runner-up on the tenth ...more
15
267 171
Sam Hunt Sam Lowry Hunt (born December 8, 1984) is an American singer and songwriter. Born in Cedartown, Georgia, Hunt played football in his high school and college years and once attempted to pursue a ...more
16
185 104
LANCO Lanco, stylized as LANCO, is an American country music band consisting of Brandon Lancaster (lead vocals), Chandler Baldwin (bass guitar), Jared Hampton (keyboards), Tripp Howell (drums), and ...more
17
128 62
EllieGore added Maren Morris Maren Larae Morris (born April 10, 1990) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She has released four studio albums. Her 2015 extended play, Maren Morris, charted ...more
18
162 107
Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Robinson (born October 22, 1990 in Bastrop, Louisiana) is an American country music singer and songwriter, better known by his stage name Dylan Scott. Scott is signed to Curb ...more
19
134 89
Michael Ray Michael Ray is a jazz trumpeter. He has played extensively with Sun Ra and the successor Sun Ra Arkestra under Marshall Allen's direction following Sun Ra's passing. For a period from the ...more
20
145 112
Chris Lane Chris Lane (born November 9, 1984) is an American country music singer and songwriter, signed to Big Loud Records and Big Loud Mountain management. Lane released "Girl Problems" in ...more
21
135 108
Walker HayesWalker Hayes - EP Walker Hayes is an American country music singer.
22
117 90
Jordan Davis Jordan Davis is an American country music singer signed to Universal Music Group Nashville's MCA Nashville division. He secured a recording contract with Universal Music Group Nashville in 2016. ...more
23
117 93
Carly Pearce Carly Cristyne Pearce (born April 24, 1990) is an American country music singer based in Nashville. Her debut single, "Every Little Thing," peaked at number one on the US Country ...more
24
125 106
Danielle BradberyDanielle Bradbery, The Complete Season 4 Collection (The Voice Performance), Who I Am (The Voice Performance) Danielle Simone Bradbery is an American country singer from Cypress, Texas. She won season four of NBC's The Voice in 2013, becoming the youngest contestant to come in first place. Her debut ...more
25
93 77
jimmiejones added Aaron WatsonReal Good Time, Live at the Texas Hall of Fame, Angels & Outlaws Aaron Watson is a Texas country music singer.
not on the list? add item #58
List Rules: Only country artists who released no more than two studio albums.
