As we bid farewell to 2020, we have a new year, new opportunities and new music to look forward to in 2021. Teen Music Insider rounded up artists that you should keep your eyes (and ears) on in the new year. Check out our top picks and be sure to make room for them on your new 2021 playlist!
Joey Hendricks
Credit: David Bradley
Country newcomer, Joey Hendricks hales from Anacortes, WA and got his start as a songwriter in Nashville before being discovered by a publishing company and landing a record deal. He released his debut single, “Yours or Mine“ under Sony Music Nashville in 2020, marrying a rock influence with a modern country twang. Keep a lookout for Joey’s new releases in 2021.
Brady Lee
Credit: Brady Lee
Brady Lee released his debut single I Can Do This All Day which debuted on Apple Country Hot Tracks and Apple Music Editorial Playlist New In Country. Taking inspiration from the likes of Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, and Russel Dickerson, Brady’s sonic style is very much radio driven pop-infused anthems that showcase his outstanding vocal and songwriting skills. Recently, Brady signed an exclusive artist development deal with Perkins Publicity which was announced by All Access and Music Row.
Jordana Bryant
Photo Credit: Jordana Bryant
Influenced by the likes of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, Jordana Bryant adds her own pop-flare to the country genre. Jordana released her debut single, “This Love“ in October, working alongside Grammy-award winner, Seth Mosley and Jesse Lee (Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young.) Check out her latest release, “Not Sayin,” a part of the trilogy of singles describing the different stages of a relationship. We can’t wait to hear what’s next from Jordana Bryant!
Golden West
Credit: Brittany Berggren
Golden West is a successful country duo from Los Angeles. Along with their recent release “The Fall” being featured on Apple Country Hot Tracks, while touring across the nation Golden West has had the opportunity to share stages with national touring acts including Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, Lee Brice, Chris Jansen, and many others.
The Highway Women
Credit: The Highway Women
The Highway Women are an all-female country blend (country, rock, pop) music band like no other bringing a musical movement to support other women in country music and beyond. Their single and music video “God Made Me Right” released in January 2019 made an impact nationally with their girl power theme and empowerment message. “Shake the Dust,” was released in June 2020. They recently released their debut EP, The Highway.
Amy Jack
Credit: Amy Jack
Oklahoma native, Amy Jack released her debut album, Introducing Amy Jack in January 2020, produced by Merle Haggard, the last project he completed before his passing. Listen to her latest single, “Big Boy Up“ inspired by past relationships and a fresh perspective on the dating scene. Amy’s music has been featured on U.S. Olympic Committee’s ‘Road to Rio’ Tour, national iHeartMedia stations, the ESPN Network, FOX Sports and more.
Jonah Prill
Credit: Jonah Prill
Country artist Jonah Prill grew up in Billings, Montana and has worked hard to retain a real home-grown vibe throughout his music, consciously detaching himself from the Nashville scene in bid to create his own unique sonic sound. He now likens his music style to the likes of HARDY, Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Rodney Aatkins, and Riley Green while making sure to always put his own country twist on his output.
Rayana Ragan
Credit: Rayana Ragan
Rayana made the decision to pursue a career in music and started training with Valerie Morehouse and Dean Shepherd at Morehouse Vocal Studio in Studio City, CA, home to household name artists like Sia, The Chainsmokers and Miley Cyrus. Rayana is based in Los Angeles, and her focus centered around modeling and acting; in the years, she has come to sign to multiple top modeling agencies globally, including Wilhelmina, Next, and MGM, as well as Luber Roklin Entertainment for acting; she has booked major campaigns for clients such as PacSun, American Eagle, Boot Barn, Fila, Milani, and Burt’s Bees, as well as landed acting roles on projects such as ABC Family’s (now Freeform) “Switched at Birth” and the upcoming independent film “In Other Words.”
Cody Belew
Credit: Cody Belew
Cody Belew, former finalist on The Voice, just had his single “Hang Your Hat On My Christmas Tree” featured in Paramount Network’s LGBTQIA+ holiday movie Dashing in December (trailer here) released for the 2020 holiday season. Check out the latest single, “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere.”
J4
Credit: J4
Born in Buffalo, New York, singer/songwriter J4 has always had a passion for music. He discovered his talent while singing in church as a child, before moving to Nashville, Tennessee for high school. J4 has already built quite the musical resume in his young career. J4 has opened for headlining artists Josh Turner, Gordon Mote and Lee Greenwood, lead worship with Christian music stars Michael W. Smith and Leeland as a member of the New River Fellowship Church of Nashville, and sang background vocals for the alternative pop band Cage the Elephant at the Ryman Auditorium. He made his debut radio performance at WSM Radio on a tribute for country music legend George Strait and reached number one on the Nashville Reverbnation Songwriter and Pop charts in 2018 and 2019. In addition, he received his first major label song cut on pop artist Kechi’s (America’s Got Talent) debut album. J4 recently released his single “Bigger,” and has big plans for new music in 2021.
Gabrielle Mooney
Credit: Gabrielle Mooney
Gabrielle Mooney has talent running in the family, as her brother, Shay Mooney makes up half of the country-pop duo, Dan + Shay. The current single, “Pray For You“ filled to the brim with twang and cheeky lyrics. Gabrielle also co-wrote on Walker Hayes’ hit single, “90’s Country” under her pen name, Lyrx.
Laurr
Credits: Laurr
Growing up in a small town, Laurr never thought she would be chasing such big dreams. From the big Utah mountains to the hills of Tennessee, she has had quite the journey as a songwriter and artist. Laurr’s musical inspirations derive from the wide spectrum of genres her parents would listen to throughout her life. From Sublime, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Amy Winehouse, to Jamey Johnson and Johnny Cash. Laurr believes that these artists have helped her develop her own unique sound. She hopes to break barriers and not limit herself to any one specific genre, and maybe even create her own genre along the way.
James DuPre
Credit: James Dupre
After releasing a sophomore album, Home and Away in 2020, James has garnered attention for his emotional storytelling. James starred in the 2015 movie The Prince alongside Randy Travis and fronted the Music of Randy Travis Tour with Randy and longtime band members. James also made his television debut on the Ellen Degeneres show and collaborated with Adam Levine on his team on Season 9 of The Voice. Named one of 10 Country Artists You Need to Know by Rolling Stone, James is certainly one to watch this year.
Justin Kemp Band
Credit: Justin Kemp Band
Rising Country Artist Justin Kemp a.k.a Justin Kemp Band is from the great state of New Mexico on the Texas Border. Growing up he was influenced by the greats; Merle Haggard, George Jones, Brooks and Dunn. He likes and covers the music of Luke Combs, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Midland & Cole Swindell. In 2018 he signed a management deal with Heart Songs Records and spends his time writing, recording in Nashville, and continuing to tour with his five-piece band. Justin and the band tour nationally and have opened or shared the bill with LANCO, Chase Rice, Dylan Scott, Joe Nichols, Randy Rogers Band, Travis Tritt, Josh Abbott Band, Shenandoah, The Bellamy Brothers, T. Graham Brown, and John Berry to name a few.
Lindsay Adamson
Credits: Lindsay Adamson
Canadian raised singer songwriter Lindsay Adamson is a new face to watch out for in Country Music. Her wild heart and love of country music brought her down to Nashville where she currently resides. Moving to Nashville and beginning to write and record her first country album, felt like coming home to Lindsay. Living in music city has expanded her so much as an artist and helped her to develop her deeply unique sound. Her debut single “You Got Me” will give you chills, and leave you remembering exactly how it felt to fall crazy in love for the first time.
Lauren Davidson
Credit: Lauren Davidson
Lauren Davidson is unconventional, inimitable, and unmissable. Blending New York City vibes with the rich tones of Contemporary Country Music, she has created a genre all her own, and audiences and critics just can’t get enough. Lauren has made countless radio appearances, opened up for Old Dominion, LOCASH, and Carly Pearce, and this year performed at the creme of New York venues, Madison Square Garden, as part of PBR’s “Unleash the Beast” tour. Never one to forget her roots, in her home state Davidson created the Urban Country Jam, an event that puts rising country stars as openers to major acts, allowing them to meet the representation that they need. All the while she has made her own live show one of the best around, hitting up top-tier venues both in NYC and across the country. Lauren recently released her EP Love Ain’t Fair.
