If you’re looking for your soundtrack to 2021, look no further. These six emerging (and established) voices are must-adds to your playlist.
Get to know them in their own words.
Tiera
Kamren Kennedy
2020 was a major year for Tiera.
She signed her first publishing deal with the Nicolle Galyon-helmed Songs & Daughters as the flagship songwriter in March and has been writing and recording for her forthcoming EP. She was tapped for CMT’s “Next Women of Country” and “Listen Up” Class of 2020, and she was honored by the AIMP for their Rising Songwriters Class of 2020. In August, Apple Music launched Apple Music Country radio station where Tiera joins some of Country’s biggest names to host her own daily radio show about up-and-coming artists. And with her newest songs, “Found It In You” and “Shut it Down” seeing huge success across multiple genres, she’s poised for an even bigger 2021.
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
Years in Nashville: 3
How did you get your start? I started singing around my hometown at restaurants, festivals, really just anywhere I could. I got a regular gig playing at Buffalo Wild Wings down the street from my house. I would play two-to-three-hour shows and it definitely helped me widen my catalog and learn how to cater to different audiences.
Who were your early influences? I’ve always been drawn to songwriters, so Taylor Swift was definitely a big inspiration for me. I also looked up to writers like Liz Rose and my publisher Nicolle Galyon. I admired the way they were able to tell a story in just three minutes.
Breakout moment: There have definitely been a couple highlight moments for me this year that I’ve been really proud of like signing my first publishing deal and starting my own radio show on Apple Music Country. I never thought either of those would happen so soon (especially the radio show—very unexpected) so those moments are definitely top of the list for me.
What song of yours best sums up who you are or your career/life thus far? “Found It in You”! I wrote it about falling in love with my fiancé. It’s also really important to me because I found my sound through this song. It’s R&B country, upbeat, and just feels good, which is definitely my vibe.
New or Next: I have some really cool collaborations that I’ve been working on for my EP coming out in March. All of the songs were written with some of my favorite co-writers and they all represent me perfectly as an artist. I’m so proud of every single song and I can’t wait for everybody to hear them.
Matt Stell
Dustin Haney
Matt Stell burst onto the scene in 2019 with his chart-topping debut “Prayed For You.”
The Platinum-certified song was not only a radio favorite but garnered him appearances on Good Morning America and Bachelor in Paradise. Stell followed up the hit with “Everywhere But On,” making him only the seventh new artist to have back-to-back number ones in the past five years. And while the number 360 million is impressive (that’s how many cumulative streams his music has to date), we’re most blown away by a different digit: 13. That’s how many characters this multifaceted music man played in the video for his latest song, “If I Was a Bar.”
Hometown: Center Ridge, Ark.
Years in Nashville: 6
How did you get your start? Writing songs in my college apartment and playing them anywhere that would let me.
Early inspirations and idols: Steve Earle, Darrell Scott, Waylon Jennings, and Eric Church.
Breakout moment: Signing a publishing and management deal with Wide Open Music. It led to an EP that had “Prayed For You” on it, which lead to a record deal and a couple number one country songs, with a whole lot of other awesome things along the way.
Most exciting thing to happen in your career (so far): Having two songs go number one in about a year was pretty special. It’s a testament to the passion and talent of a lot of great people including writers, label, management, radio promotion, radio executives, PR, and fans.
What song of yours best sums up who you are or your career/life thus far? I’d say my previous single, “Everywhere But On” sums it up the best. I’ve lived a whole lot of that song and it’s also an example of the kind of music I want to make seeming to connect with people. That’s the reason why I wanted to make music in the first place.
New or Next: We just released a new EP called Better Than Thatwith five new songs in addition to three we’ve previously released. I’m really proud of the songs on there and the sound we’ve dialed in on. I’ve loved having it out in the world and watching folks react to the different tracks.
Jimmie Allen
Dustin Haney
Jimmie Allen has so consistently been a voice on our radios (and streaming) since his debut in 2018 that it’s hard to believe he hasn’t been around longer.
His warm and familiar vocals, mixed with songs that are both emotional and here for a good time have made him a country music favorite. His first Platinum-selling No. 1, “Best Shot” off his debut album Mercury Lane, and his second chart-topper “Make Me Want To” weren’t just great songs—they were historic ones. The one-two punch marked the first time in history that a Black artist launched their career with two consecutive hits at country radio. Allen’s latest release, Bettie James, has garnered nearly 50 million streams and sees Allen collaborating with artists like Noah Cyrus, Brad Paisely, Nelly, Darius Rucker, and Charley Pride—with whom Allen was able to perform at the 2020 CMA Awards.
Hometown: Milton, Del.
Years in Nashville: 13
How did you get your start in music? Ever since I was five or six I said I was going to be a singer. So for me, that’s always been the plan. Since I first got into it, I said I wanted to be a professional.
Who were your early influences? The Beatles, Charley Pride, The Jackson 5, The Oak Ridge Boys, and then as I got older Matchbox 20, Hootie and the Blowfish, Alan Jackson, Usher, Tupac. I was really into everything.
Breakout moment: Before I got my record deal. I know it’s weird to say, but I’ve always had this belief. And it’s not faith in my ability, but my willingness to never quit, that it would happen. That I would have number ones on country radio, that I would tour, that I would get into movies and television, and write books. I felt it before, and I don’t rely on talent. I don’t think I’m the most talented guy in the world, but I feel like I put my work ethic up next to anybody in any genre of music. I don’t think I’m the best singer, but I promise you I’m going to outwork the best singer.
Full-Circle Moment: Meeting [and performing with] Charley Pride was like a childhood dream. It was like an elf meeting Santa Claus for the first time, because this is a guy that stepped out and broke barriers in his time and started creating this path for people like him and like me. The timing was crazy, because he could have gotten his Lifetime Achievement Award 10 or 15 years ago. But for me, the fact that it happened now, when my career is slowly starting to come together, and I got to present him the award and sing with him, that was amazing. And just four years ago, I’d spent my last $100 to go to the 50th anniversary of the CMA awards, to see Charley Pride perform. I didn’t know when I’d get the chance to see him perform again, so I spent my last $10 and didn’t eat for like a day after that. And then just four years later I get to sing with him and present him a Lifetime Achievement Award. That’s crazy. What song of yours best sums up who you are or your career/life thus far? I think it would be a mix between “Made for These” on my new album, “All Tractors Ain’t Green,” from Mercury Lane, and “Underdog” from Mercury Lane.
New or Next: I’m a planner, and I always knew I wanted to put out a smaller album between each bigger album. I named this album Bettie James [released July 10] because I wanted to leave a trail of my grandma and my dad’s legacy through my music. And I wanted to work with some of their favorite artists and put together a short album that I was proud of. Every song is a moment.
Ashland Craft
Bralyn Kelly
If the name Ashland Craft is familiar, it’s no surprise.
The powerhouse vocalist has opened for the likes of Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen, and she was recently featured on Hardy’s “So Close.” Now the South Carolina native is making a name for herself with her latest single “Two Wildflowers and a Box of Wine.” With equal parts sass and strength, she’s poised to be a major voice in 2021.
Hometown: Piedmont, S.C.
Years in Nashville: Almost 2
How did you get your start? I started playing very small gigs around 14 years old. Two years later I was on my own playing acoustic sets and performing for anyone who would let me in the doors. When I turned 18 I joined the house band at Wendell’s Dippin Branch in Anderson, S.C., and played there for two years. Shortly after, I auditioned for The Voice and eventually moved to Nashville.
Who were your early influences? Def Leppard, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, The Chicks, John Mayer, and Miranda Lambert.Breakout moment: Oh gosh, I’ve already been blessed with some big moments that I’ll never forget! Signing with Big Loud Records, a publishing deal with 50 Egg Music, and going on my first major tour with Morgan Wallen—that all happened within a year of moving to Nashville. It’s been surreal and I’m thankful every day for the opportunities I’ve been given so far.
What song of yours best sums up who you are or your career/life thus far? I am super excited about my most recent release “Two Wildflowers and a Box of Wine” that I wrote with Jonathan Singleton and Rob Snyder. Jonathan actually also co-produced the song with Joey Moi, and they created exactly what I envisioned. It’s different than anything I’ve ever done before, sound-wise, and embodies everything that I am wanting to do with my music moving forward. I released a music video with it as well, which was my first ever, and that was really fun! It definitely got me out of my comfort zone. I am proud of this song as it perfectly captures me and who I am as an artist. I hope everyone will check it out!
New or Next: Like a lot of artists, 2020 has been a very different year for me, as the band and I haven’t been able to tour as much as we’re used to. I’ve been grinding nonstop for years. One silver lining, however, is that I’ve had a chance to write a lot of new material with a lot of great songwriters and grow creatively, which I’m super grateful for. I have a bunch of songs now ready to be recorded and am planning on releasing some of these throughout 2021. I’m really excited for my fans to see the growth, both in myself and my songwriting.
Ingrid Andress
Jess Williams
Even before the release of her debut album, Lady Like, last March, Ingrid Andress was the talk of Music City.
Her performance style, instrumentation, and honest songwriting set her apart from day one. When her emotional single “More Hearts Than Mine” reached No. 1 on the charts (and went Platinum) it was further proof: Andress was Nashville’s next big thing. Now with 415 million global music streams, a Forbes 30 Under 30 feature, and, oh yeah, three Grammy nominations (including Best New Artist, a category in which she is the only country singer), this lady has proven time and again that she is primed to become one of the biggest voices of 2021—and beyond.
Hometown: Denver, Colo.
Years in Nashville: 6
How did you get your start? I started as a songwriter for other artists.
Who were your early influences? John Denver, The Chicks, Whitney Houston, Faith Hill, John Mayer, Joni Mitchell, and Eminem (he’s a lyrical genius).
Breakout moment: I think performing on the CMA Awards this year was pretty epic! I feel like every special moment has been a breakout moment this year.
Most exciting thing to happen in your career (so far): Being nominated for the Grammys this year is probably the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me.
What song of yours best sums up who you are or your career/life thus far? “Lady Like.” That song is very autobiographical and sums up who I am and what I believe in for myself and for others. The hope is that everyone who listens to it feels empowered to be themselves.
New or Next: Well I just put out my first album ever in March, so there’s probably going to be a little bit of time before I put something else out. But I say that now and will probably write something I really want the world to hear, so TBD! The first plan is to actually get to tour the album sometime next year when it’s safe!
Devin Dawson
Tyler Conrad
Since dropping his debut album, Dark Horse, in 2018, Devin Dawson has been a power player on the country music scene.
Not only does he perform hits—he’s featured alongside Lauren Alaina and Hardy on the No. 1 single “One Beer,” and his debut single “All On Me” is certified platinum—he writes them: Dawson is cowriter on Blake Shelton’s Grammy-nominated smash “God’s Country.” Now he’s gearing up to make more musical magic with the release of his new album The Pink Slip EP.
Hometown: Orangevale, Calif.
Years in Nashville: 8
How did you get your start in music? I got my start in loving music from my mom’s record collection. Country. Rock ‘n’ Roll. Pop. R&B. Funk/Disco. You name it. I got my start playing music when I found a red Fender Stratocaster in the back of my next-door neighbor’s garage sale and then easily talked my best friends into starting a band with me. That quickly led to the seventh-grade talent show (which we won) ... and the rest was history.
Who were your early influences? Johnny Cash. John Fogerty. John Mayer.
Breakout moment: When I covered/mashed up Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” and “Style” with my good friend Louisa Wendorff while we were both still at Belmont. We were just having fun creating something we thought was cool. Somehow Taylor Swift saw it and shared it over all of her social media. The video went viral and we got to sing it on the red carpet of the Grammys that year. It helped both Louisa and me get “discovered.”
Most exciting thing to happen in your career (so far): I think getting to sing “God’s Country” with Blake Shelton and Hardy live at the SAP Center in San Jose was pretty freaking dope. I’m originally from Northern California, so my mom was in the audience and it was just such an energetic and one-of-a-kind moment. I was so glad I got to share it with all those people I loved so much.
What song of yours best sums up who you are or your career/life thus far? That one is pretty easy. “Dark Horse.” Although I feel like I have grown a lot since writing that song, it will always be the song that sums up my life. Vulnerable and honest. Introspective. Hopeful. Diligent.
New or Next: My next big release is on Jan. 15 when The Pink Slip EP drops. Looking back on it now that it’s done, I think this EP is kind of me trying to make sense of all the amazing things that have happened to me since Dark Horse. For a guy who turned to songwriting to deal with hard feelings, sometimes adding up happiness is hard to convey. But you can also always expect the unexpected from me. I like pushing myself sonically and lyrically and this EP is proof of that. It grooves, it tugs on the heart strings if you let it, and it showcases my growth. I’m proud of it and so damn pumped for people to have it all to themselves.