By Jeanni Ritchie
I’ve always daydreamed about being a talent scout for movies, music, or Broadway shows, so for this feature I embraced my inner industry insider—spending a few weeks listening to up-and-coming country artists and making my own predictions about who’s about to break big.
I started with more than 50 names pulled from sources like the Country Music Hall of Fame’s “New Faces” exhibit, Opry NextStage artists, rising acts spotted around Nashville, and recent new-artist lists across the country scene. After listening to two or three of each artist’s songs—from streaming hits to acoustic gems—I narrowed it down to 20 names that made me want to hear more.
There were prelims and callbacks, second chances with a new song à la Simon Cowell, and maybe a little nepotism (I’m looking at you, Twitty & Lynn). But the list below represents solid choices for the next wave of country-music movers and shakers.
Dasha — “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)”
California native with fiery lyrics and current member of Opry NextStage.
Elizabeth Nichols — “Daughter”
Texas-born singer-songwriter whose single “Daughter” flips heartbreak into sharp-edged storytelling.
Waylon Wyatt — “Arkansas Diamond”
Hackett, Arkansas teen who wrote “Arkansas Diamond” and emerged with a red-dirt sound rooted in small-town truth.
Hannah McFarland — “Hey Highway”
Mobile, Alabama native writing and performing since her teens, who moved to Nashville to fuse Southern grit with modern country melodies.
Mae Estes — “Roses”
Hope, Arkansas-raised singer-songwriter who started singing rodeo anthems at age 7 and now shapes her traditional-country roots into stories for our generation.
Chase McDaniel — “Project”
Kentucky-born storyteller blending small-town grit with mainstream polish.
Timothy Wayne — “That’d Be You”
Turns out he’s the nephew of Tim McGraw—a fact I learned after he earned his spot on this list entirely on his own merit.
Spencer Hatcher — “Drink You Gone”
Virginia singer-songwriter with traditional roots and a soulful, radio-ready edge.
Hudson Westbrook — “Painted You Pretty”
Emerging voice whose smooth vocals and heartfelt songwriting feel instantly familiar.
Tucker Wetmore — “Wine Into Whiskey”
American Idol standout and Opry NextStage artist performing at The Pinnacle, Nashville’s newest hotspot, this month.
Greylan James — “Water at a Wedding”
Viral hit with a jaw-dropping twist and some of the smartest songwriting to hit Nashville in years.
Chayce Beckham — “23”
American Idol Season 19 winner and current Opry NextStage artist.
Kashus Culpepper — “Believe”
Opry NextStage artist performing at The Pinnacle, Nashville’s newest hotspot, this month.
Carter Faith — “Already Crazy”
Also taking the stage at The Pinnacle this month, Faith blends modern edge with vintage heart—as much fire as finesse.
Bryce Leatherwood — “The Finger”
Season 22 winner of The Voice, Leatherwood keeps classic country alive with honky-tonk swagger and heart.
Braden Jamison — “Caught Me at a Good Time”
With infectious energy and down-to-earth charm, Jamison captures that perfect mix of heart and momentum that country fans crave.
Michael Monroe Goodman — “Carrying On What Nashville Left Behind”
A troubadour with a mission, Goodman champions traditional-country storytelling with unapologetic authenticity.
Scotty Hasting — “Town Like Mine”
A combat-wounded Army veteran turned country artist, Hasting writes with courage and conviction, proving country music still has stories that heal.
Olivia Rudeen — “Radio Star”
Songwriter turned standout artist, Rudeen brings poetic storytelling and shimmering vocals to every verse—proof that the pen can hold its own behind the mic.
Twitty & Lynn — “Cookin’ Up Lovin’”
Grandchildren of country legends Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, this powerhouse duo is blending heritage with fresh harmony—carrying a country legacy into a new generation.
I took my wannabe-talent-scout job seriously—listening, relistening, and agonizing over every cut. It felt a little like sitting in one of those red chairs on The Voice after your team’s almost full but another great voice walks out. Everyone I heard had talent, but I wasn’t just looking for good—I wanted spectacular. These twenty gave me that spark that says country music’s in good hands.
Jeanni Ritchie is a travel writer who counts Nashville as one of her favorite destinations. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
