There’s a tide turning in country music, bringing with it a wave of new artists. Many of the newer crop of singer/songwriters in the genre embrace an edgier, rock vibe. And others lean more traditional. You can get to know some of the hottest rising stars, here. This is the Class of 2024: Country Artists to Watch.

These emerging artists are the ones getting noticed by critics, fans and even the casual listeners. They are the ones getting picked up for some big tours, and the ones picking up some big numbers of social media followers. And these talented creators are on our watch list.

Scroll through the catalog of names, some of which you likely already know or have heard of. You may have seen a select few opening up for some of your favorite headliners over the past year or so. And several of these names you will seen on tour bills coming to New England this concert season.

An Ocean of Talent

The country music scene is always growing as new artists are emerging from Nashville to the national stage. They are being lifted into the limelight from the sheer power of their talent and ability to communicate through their music to open ears. TikTok and Instagram have been a large part of their journey.

You can be a part of this tide of new talent. Just take a look and a listen to the Class of 2024: Country Artists to Watch, right here. These are the musicians we feel will be making waves this year. Do you have a favorite on this list? Check back, because new artists are turning up with the tides all the time.

Also, be sure to check out our Country 1025 Concert Calendar and see if one of your favorite new singers is coming to New England in 2024.  In fact, one of these artists will be opening for Scotty McCreery on March 1st at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Two of them will be hitting the road with Luke Bryan this summer. So, if you go to a show get there early to support the rising stars who open the shows.

• Chayce Beckham

  Since winning American Idol in 2021, the buzz around Chayce Beckham hasn’t stopped. Luke Bryan became a fan when Chayce auditioned for Idol. Then, last year, Bryan took Chayce out on the road with him. Meanwhile, Beckham just announced he’s going back on the road with Bryan this summer.  Chayce’s debut release, “23” continues to build momentum. It’s relatable because it’s his story and it’s one that cuts deep into his personal struggles.  But get ready, because here comes “This Ol Rodeo” from the gravelly-voiced singer. The tour will bring them to the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in July.

• George Birge

  2023 ended with a bang for newcomer George Birge…and a #1 hit! The “Mind On You” singer kicked off this year with an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and an announcement that he, too, will be joining Luke Bryan on tour this summer. George has also recently dropped a new song called “Cowboy Songs.” The Austin, Texas singer/songwriter has had a long journey to get here. We’re excited to see what’s next for one of the nicest guys in the business.

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• Ashley Cooke

  You may have seen Parkland, Florida native Ashley Cooke on ABC’s The Bachelorette, or perhaps on tour with Luke Bryan or Cole Swindell. You may know her from her duet with Brett Young “Never Til Now” (2022 2022). Ashley released her 24 track album, Shot in the Dark in July of 2023. The album features collaborations with Nate Smith, Colbie Caillet and Jackson Dean. Quite a roster, right? She wrote her first song at just 11 years old, finding inspiration in Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts. Like so many artists today, it was her TikTok videos that helped her build a fan base. Cooke has the right amount of sass, smarts and talent to be the next big thing. Her latest release “Your Place” is the leadoff single from Shot in the Dark.

   

• Ella Langley

  This Hope Hull, Alabama girl spent quite a few years in bars before she hauled it to Nashville. Her soaring vocals and straight to the heart style of songwriting helped her earn a fan base through social media. She’s a little bit rock and roll, a little bit country and with a pinch of pop, Ella Langley is a force. Did you know she co-wrote Elle King’s 2022 single “Out Yonder?” In fact, Ella wrote a total of 5 songs on King’s Come Get Your Wife album. Last year, Langley released her debut EP, Excuse the Mess. which earn over 120 million streams in less than a year. This year, Ella hits the road with Riley Green, Hardy and then Morgan Wallen. You can see her when she opens for Hardy at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield on June 21.

• Dylan Marlowe

  It’s hard to keep up with the Dylans in country music today. But this Georgia native is a standout. Dylan Marlowe finally made his move to Nashville at the beginning of the pandemic. Timing is everything, but he made the most of it by writing. One day he decided to post a cover of Oliva Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License” (countryfied) to TikTok. That post earned the young artist hundreds of thousands of followers and the song went viral. Marlowe invited the first big country artist to invite him on tour to join him in an original song, “Boys Back Home.” It’s a song about missing his friends, after moving to Nashville, and it features Dylan Scott.

• Chase McDaniel

  Look out world, here comes Chase McDaniel and he’s not taking no for an answer. The hardworking, street smart dynamo just released his debut EP, Blame It All On Country Music. McDaniel was raised by his grandparents in a tiny town in Kentucky.
  The artist is known as “one of Nashville’s most tenacious singer-songwriters and shining example of how kindness, persistence and curiosity pays off.” (chasemcdaniel.com). After he graduated college the dream-chasing began. He had no job and no money and was about to abandon the dream before a friend stepped in to help out. With this second chance, Chase gave music all he had, pouring his life into songs. Eventually, fans connected to his truths and his energy. His “Project” landed the No.1 spot on the Billboard Digital Sales and iTunes Country single charts. Finally at 28-years old, McDaniel got signed to a major label- the Big Machine Label Group.

• Anne Wilson

  Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Anne Wilson learned to play piano when she was six years old. God and church became a very important part of her life, especially after tragically losing her brother Jacob at the age of 23 in a car accident. Anne turned to music to help her through her heartbreak. In September of 2023 she released her EP, Rebel: The Beginning. Wilson shared her excitement on the collections release, saying: “I am beyond excited to share brand-new music with the world! After writing a ton over the past several months, this is just the beginning of a journey towards the release of the next chapter. Getting to release a song to both country and Christian radio is beyond a dream come true for me. These songs mean so much to me and truly describe the season of life I’ve been in this past year. I hope when people hear these three songs that they’ll feel what I feel. Heart, hope, Jesus, strength, faith and the courage to move forward even if the path ahead is uncharted. Here’s to all that’s next!” You can see Anne open for Scotty McCreery at MGM Music Hall on March 1. 

• Warren Zeiders

  For Warren Zeiders, it took a few concussions and a pandemic to find his way to his true path, music. Zeiders, who’s from Hershey, Pennsylvania was studying business and playing lacrosse at Frostburg State University and in his spare time would post videos of him singing cover songs to TikTok. His acoustic version of “Tennessee Whiskey” went viral. He told Shore Fire Media that on a night out with his family, they saw a local musician who asked for request. He said, “I asked her to play ‘Beautiful Crazy’ by Luke Combs, but she didn’t know it.” So Warren offered to play the song. The crowd loved it. He went on to say, “I went onstage and had an out-of-body experience. In that moment, a lightbulb went off and I thought,  This is something I should pursue.” He currently has his first hit single, a top 5, with the title track from his debut album Pretty Little Poison. 

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