Billboard’s 10 Country Artists to Watch in 2013

11 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on Billboard’s 10 Country Artists to Watch in 2013
Kacey Musgraves
Mercury Nashville

Before the new releases of 2013 start arriving, Billboard‘s Chuck Dauphin took a look at which 10 artists country music fans should listen out for.  While I think ‘the music of Nashville’ doesn’t belong in this list (for several reasons), what it does show is that I am not the only one who is expecting a continuation of the rise of roots music.  Included here are Americana act The Lone Bellow, traditionalist Coy Taylor, and authentic singer-songwriters Kacey Musgraves (pictured) and Ashley Monroe.  I am not sure country radio is ready yet to embrace Chris Weaver Band or Drake White, but I’ll be happy to be proved wrong about that.

Billboard’s 10 country artists to watch in 2013:

Amber Hayes
Few country newcomers have as much reverence for the format’s past – as well as an optimistic eye to the future as Hayes. Her latest EP, “Any Day Is A Good Day,” shows tremendous growth as not only an artist, but as a writer as well. Look for big things from this Oklahoma native in 2013.

High Valley
With their debut single “Love You For A Long Time” poised to make an impact, this trio of brothers from Canada have the talent, harmonies, and the songs to make it in 2013.

The Lone Bellow
We’re really excited about the future for this Brooklyn-based trio that runs the musical gamut. They are a little bit country, a little bit Americana, but in the end, they are a whole lot good! Their self-titled debut hits stores on January 22, and we think their future is nothing but bright.

Ashley Monroe
Though she is known as a member of the Pistol Annies, Monroe has been at it a while. Her upcoming “Like A Rose” album is one of Music City’s most anticipated projects, set for a March 5 release. Take one listen to a cut like the retro-ish “Morning After,” and we think you just might agree that Monroe might be the most talented female traditional-based newcomer since Lee Ann Womack.

Kacey Musgraves
Her debut single “Merry Go Round,” reminds us of something that Loretta Lynn might have written had she arrived in Nashville today. It has that same earthy feel of many of the icon’s classic hits. The Sulphur Springs, TX native is definitely going to make quite an impact in 2013.

‘Nashville’
Though the Nielsen ratings jury is still out on the ABC drama, I have been intrigued by the music that has been coming from the show. Hayden Panettiere’s “Telescope” is entertaining, but Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio’s “If I Didn’t Know Better” is simply a riveting piece of relationship-inspired angst — television show-based or not. With T. Bone Burnett leading the musical charge of this show, we think it’s inevitable that it will inspire more great musical moments.

Scarletta
The trio of Nathan Stoops, Benji Harris, and lead singer Aubrey Collins have been turning ears and heads with their energetic sounds, and with a new project in the works, 2013 promises more of the same.

Coy Taylor
Coy Taylor is a modern-day throwback to legends like George Jones and Johnny Paycheck, and he has attracted the attention of Average Joe’s Management. A listen to his latest material proves that they – as well as he, are both on the right course.

Chris Weaver Band
There is no other band on the market that sounds quite like this. They blend contemporary country with classic sounding R&B in what seems like an effortless manner. Their latest disc, “Standing In Line,” is one that deserves quite a bit of attention – and we think they will receive it.

Drake White
MCA Nashville has a lot of hopes riding on their new artist, and well they should. He possesses a sharp wit in his songwriting that is comparable to that of an early Brad Paisley. Anyone who cites bluegrass and freestyle sounds in his bio is sure to be a little off-center musically, and that is a very good thing. With material like “Fifty Years Too Late,” White is sure to make a mark with audiences in 2013!

 

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter

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