Discover country tracks from artists flying under the radar

Discover hidden country gems

Country music keeps growing thanks to bold new voices bringing fresh energy and sound. These rising stars blend tradition with their own twist, changing how country feels, looks, and sounds.

From genre-bending beats to stories that speak to the next generation, these artists are more than up-and-comers. They are reshaping the country’s future with every verse.

Ashley Cooke

Ashley Cooke is part of the country’s new wave, blending polished pop melodies like Your Place with heart-on-sleeve songwriting. Raised in Florida, she brings a coastal feel to Nashville’s grounded roots.

She first caught attention through TikTok, then quickly proved her staying power. Her debut album shot in the dark showcases her storytelling range from tender to tough making Ashley one of the genre’s most relatable rising voices.

Tanner Adell

Raised between California and Wyoming, Tanner Adell blends country storytelling with pop and hip-hop influences with songs like Buckle Bunny. Her debut mixtape, Buckle Bunny, released in 2023, earned praise from NPR and Billboard.

Tanner’s candid lyrics and confident style have made her a rising star. She continues to push boundaries with new music.

Parker McCollum

Parker cut his teeth in Texas dancehalls, earning his following the old-school way. His music blends polished production with the dusty heart of red dirt country, with songs like Pretty Heart.

Critically acclaimed but still under the radar, he walks the line between mainstream shine and back-road grit like a pro.

Tenille Townes

Hailing from Alberta, Canada, Tenille Townes blends emotional depth with a storyteller’s soul. Her voice carries both vulnerability and strength, and her songs, like Somebody’s Daughter often dive into overlooked lives and quiet struggles.

Tenille’s music balances raw honesty with poetic reflection, earning her multiple Canadian Country Music Association Awards and a growing U.S. following. She’s carving a thoughtful, heartfelt path through modern country one story at a time.

Lainey Wilson

Lainey grew up in a small Louisiana town and wrote her first song at age nine. Her sound mixes old-school storytelling with modern swagger, with songs like Things a Man Oughta Know, and her look, complete with signature bell-bottoms, feels classic yet bold.

In 2023, she made history as the CMA Entertainer of the Year. She also won the ACM Entertainer of the Year that same year. Her music brings grit, truth, and charm to a genre she clearly lives and breathes.

Corey Kent

Corey’s red dirt roots run deep. From opening for Willie Nelson to life on the road, his rock meets country energy in songs like Wild as Her speaks to those who like their music loud but honest.

Corey honed his gritty vocals and blazing guitar skills through years of touring, showcasing a bold yet familiar sound, redefining modern country.

Shaboozey

Born Collins Obinna Chibueze in 1995, Shaboozey is a genre-bending artist from Virginia. His music blends country twang with hip hop and Americana, with songs like A Bar Song (Tipsy), reflecting his Nigerian American heritage and diverse influences.

His 2024 breakout hit A Bar Song (Tipsy) topped the Billboard Hot 100 for over a dozen weeks, solidifying Shaboozey’s place as a rising star redefining country’s sound and reach.

Lucy Hale

Best known as an actress from Pretty Little Liars, Lucy Hale has quietly carved out a space in country music. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she grew up on a mix of pop and country in songs like Lie a Little Better, which shows in her music a blend of heartfelt lyrics and polished hooks.

Her 2014 debut album Road Between showcased her genuine vocal talent and love for storytelling. Though acting remains a big part of her career, Lucy’s music brings a softer, emotional edge to the country scene, proving she’s more than just a screen star dabbling in sound.

Devin Dawson

Famous song: .

A former metal singer from California, Devin found his groove in country music’s shadows. With songs like All on Me , his lyrics lean introspective with dark tones rarely heard in the genre.

He grew up with Johnny Cash and gritty guitar riffs. Now his moody take on country has carved out a lane that feels both new and deeply human.

Jackson Dean

Jackson Dean left home at 18 to tour and write songs, living simply on his grandfather’s property. His gravel-toned voice and poetic lyrics deliver raw, in songs like Don’t Come Lookin‘, authentic country music that resonates deeply with fans.

His breakout single Don’t Come Lookin’ was featured on the Yellowstone soundtrack and Netflix’s The Ice Road. Jackson’s dusty, weathered sound was forged long before his rise.

Warren Zeiders

Warren began on TikTok with a trucker hat, a guitar, and a fierce voice. Born in Pennsylvania, his outlaw vibe draws from legends but aims at the next wave.

His viral hit Ride the Lightning amassed over 500 million TikTok views and earned platinum certification. He’s one of the few bringing grit and danger back into the sound.

Jordan Davis

Jordan pivoted from environmental science to songwriting in Nashville. He grew up listening to classic country but writes with a modern, reflective edge.

Tracks like “Buy Dirt” focus on values and simplicity, turning everyday moments into chart-topping hits. The song won the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year and reached number one on multiple Billboard country charts.

Ernest Keith Smith

Ernest started behind the scenes, writing hits for Morgan Wallen and others. Raised in Nashville, he learned how to shape a country song from the inside out.

Now stepping up as a performer, he mixes vintage textures with a laid-back charm with songs like American Rust, proving tradition can sound cool again.

Dylan Marlowe

A Georgia native, Dylan turned from baseball to music with a sound that feels both fresh and comfortingly familiar. He’s part of the next country wave.

With acoustic charm and straightforward lyrics in songs like You See Mine, he’s not here to reinvent, just to remind you why you loved country in the first place.

More and more stars from TV, film, and pop are joining the ranks of celebrities who are becoming country music icons, blending fame with heartfelt storytelling.

Drake Milligan

A Texas native and America’s Got Talent finalist, Drake channels Elvis-style charisma with a honky-tonk heart in songs like Sounds Like Something I’d Do. His sound is pure throwback with just enough modern edge.

From starring as Elvis in a CMT series to releasing a charting debut EP, he brings vintage swagger and serious vocal chops to today’s country scene, boasting back-to-back number one hits on iTunes and a top five spot on the Billboard Emerging Artists Chart.

From viral hits to award-winning grit, there are endless reasons why you should watch these country artists as they take the genre to bold new heights.

If you liked this post, give it a thumbs up or leave a comment!

Read More From This Brand:

• Music Hits That Were Actually Copied
• Rising Country Stars Making Big Moves
• Breaking Down the Biggest Country Song of All Time

Don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content right here on MSN.

If you liked this story, you’ll LOVE our FREE emails. Join today and be the first to get stories like this one.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.