John Shearer
Morgan Wallen
Rising hit-maker Morgan Wallen is making his mark on country music. Between the platinum-certified No. 1 summer smash “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line and his highly anticipated follow-up single “Whiskey Glasses” burning up the charts, Wallen has burst onto the scene as a dynamite solo artist and in-demand songwriter. Wallen’s debut album If I Know Me (Big Loud Records), premiered in April 2018, and was soon after named one of Taste of Country’s Top 10 Country Albums of 2018, So Far. With more than 400 million combined digital streams to his credit, he was spotlighted in CMT’s Listen Up “18 for 2018” class of newcomers, named a 2018 Taste of Country RISER, and earned opening spots touring with the likes of Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, and Jake Owen.
Joseph Llanes
RaeLynn
Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville recording artist RaeLynn penned her single “Tailgate” alongside Canaan Smith, Corey Crowder, and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard. With “Tailgate” and the empowering “Queens Don’t,” RaeLynn offers the first new music since her debut album WildHorsearrived at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart and Top 10 on Billboard’s All-Genre Albums Sales Chart upon release. The two-time ACM New Female Vocalist nominee co-wrote 11 of the 12 tracks on the record, which was recognized as one of the 40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2017 by Rolling Stone in addition to being a “People’s Picks” by People. RaeLynn has earned numerous award nominations from the Academy of Country Music, Radio Disney Music Awards, and CMT Music Awards.
Jim Wright
Canaan Smith
Possessing a smooth, evocative voice, Canaan Smith could have pursued success in any genre of music, but was always drawn to country. “It’s all about the stories,” Smith says. Smith’s debut album, BRONCO, which includes the RIAA Platinum-Certified No. 1 hit, “Love You Like That” debuted in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart. “Love You Like That” is also one of the top streaming tracks from all new artists in country music. The chart-rising singer-songwriter is now signed to trailblazing music publishing roster Tree Vibez Music. Along with his headlining dates, he has been burning up the highways in recent years with the likes of Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, and Kip Moore, playing well over 550 shows for more than two million fans.
Nick Swift
HARDY
A native of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Big Loud Records/Tree Vibez Music country artist HARDY first arrived in Nashville in 2010 and has since established himself as one of the most exciting new songwriters on Music Row. Emerging in 2018 with the RIAA Platinum-Certified No. 1 “Up Down” (performed by Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line) and RIAA Platinum-Certified No. 1 hit “Simple” (Florida Georgia Line), his knack for unforgettable grooves and unique turns of phrase have made him an in-demand collaborator, with new school talents like Chris Lane, Seth Ennis, Tyler Farr, Walker McGuire, and more lining up to cut his tracks. On October 19, Hardy made his debut as a solo artist, releasing a hard-charging EP of country swagger and rock attitude, This Ole Boy.