21 Artists To Watch In 2021

Kalie Shorr

Kalie Shorr is now adding podcast host to her resume. “Too Much To Say With Kalie Shorr” is distributed by the Bobby Bones Nashville Podcast Network. Bones said, “She is a force in the genre and I’m so excited to add her voice and stories to our growing network.” In 2019 Kalie’s debut album Open Book was named the seventh best album of 2019 by The New York Times. 

Tezza

Tezza released her second single, “Mercury Rising” earlier this year and it has since hit over 2,000,000 streams on Spotify. Being born and raised in upstate New York, she brings a unique take on female pop-country with a Northeastern twist. She has opened for Hunter Hayes and Granger Smith in the past and has also performed at CMA Fest. 

Caitlin Quisenberry 

Caitlin Quisenberry is one of the lucky people who is able to say they are in the coveted, “Golden Ticket Club” aka performing in Hollywood on American Idol. Caitlin has been singing and performing for more than a decade. She began working for Grammy-winning producer, Robert Cutarella, for more than a decade. The music video for her debut single, “Blue” premiered on CMT and her music has been featured on dozens of major playlists. 

Reyna Roberts

Reyna Roberts is claiming her spot in country music having already been interviewed by Rolling Stone and being talked about by Carrie Underwood, Mickey Guyton, and Cassadee Pope. Reyna wrote her recent single, “Stompin’ Grounds” with Brantley Gilbert and Noah Henson. Reyna Roberts is a force and is here to make sure that Music Row addresses and supports the BLM movement. 

Christie Huff

Well known in the LA and Orange County music circuit, Christie Huff performs her original songs that feature a soulful sound with a touch of pop. Christie has been featured on the Ty Bentli Show and has opened for artists including, Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Kip Moore, and Bebe Rexha. 

Tiera

Tiera is signed to Nicole Gallyon’s record label, Songs & Daughters. Tiera is the flagship songwriter for the label and recently released her track, “Found It In You.” She has also been accepted by the Song Suffragettes, Nashville’s all-women singer-songwriters that perform at The Listening Room every Monday night. Her success has even allowed her to host her own daily radio show on Apple Music called, “The Tiera Show.”

Priscilla Block

Priscilla Block first caught the attention of millions when going viral on Tik Tok with her song, “Thick Thighs.” Her most recent single, “Just About Over You” went No.1 on the iTunes charts and is climbing the ladder on country radio. The success of “Just About Over You” helped Priscilla score a record deal and she is now working on writing and recording for her debut album. 

Abby Anderson

Texas native, Abby Anderson, is signed to an independent entertainment company, Black River Entertainment. Abby made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2018 and received a standing ovation for her single, “Make Him Wait.” You may recognize Abby from her cover of the hit song “Shallow” that she sings with fellow country artist Jimmie Allen. Abby has performed at Stagecoach, Off The Rails, Country Thunder, Tortuga and has even traveled internationally to perform at C2C in London.

Carter Faith

Carter Faith has been described as having the chill aesthetic of Kacey Musgraves combined with the emotive lyricism and pointed perspective of Taylor Swift. Carter enrolled in Belmont University’s songwriting program and has performed at prominent venues including the Bluebird Cafe and the Listening Room Cafe. The music video for her single, “Leaving Tennessee” is out now! 

Emma & Jolie

This female country duo brings a mix of storytelling and modern country with sensational harmonies. The UK-based duo met at music college in 2015 and is now signed with Triple Fret Entertainment. Their latest single, “I Don’t Need A Man” was produced by the legendary Johnny Douglas and highlights their perfectly poised harmonies. 

Renee Blair

With songwriting and melodies having been compared to the likes of everything from The Chicks to Nelly to Justin Timerblake, Renee Blair is quickly emerging on the country music scene. She is recognized as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country Class 2020 and has written with GRAMMY award winning and Songland producer/songwriter, Shane McAnally. Her most recent single, “Heart’s In Your Head” has nearly 500k streams on Spotify!

Brittney Spencer

Brittney began working as a minister of music at a progressive church in Baltimore which exposed her to the role of culture in music, religion and much of life’s experiences. She moved to Nashville in 2013 and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2017 with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Music Business. Brittney recently covered The Highwomen’s “Crowded Table” only to be retweeted by Maren Morris and be invited to open for her once touring resumes. 

Hailey Whitters

After nearly a decade in Nashville, Hailey took a step back to reassess her goals. She hadn’t had her big break yet and felt like she was watering herself down to try and fit in. After years and years of hard work she found success with “Ten Year Town”, the song that identified Hailey as one of Nashville’s elite songwriters and artists. Co-written with Brandy Clark, this ballad takes a look at, “what happens when life doesn’t work out as planned and how rejection can ultimately lead to empowerment.” Her album, “The Dream” is out now. 

Miko Marks

In 2006 Miko Marks received the award for Best New Country Artist at the New Music Weekly Awards and also was named “Nashville’s Hottest New Country Star” by People Magazine. Clearly, Miko Marks is no newcomer. Her album, “Our Country” is set to release in March 2021 and is her first album in 12 years. She has never given up on the dream she has devoted her life to. We can’t wait for the album! 

Kassi Ashton

Signed to UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope Records, Kassi Ashton is one of Nashville’s most compelling rising stars. Kassi has an undeniably amazing stage presence and is fearless when it comes to being authentic in her songwriting. Her auto-biographical song, “California, Missouri” paints a picture of her life growing up. She caught the attention of legend Keith Urban who loved her so much, he featured Kassi on his song “Drop Top” on his album Graffiti U. 

Sacha

In the words of Sacha, “I’m a small-town girl, and music has simply been a way of life from a very young age. The stage is like coming home, and the audience is like my family.” Sacha has been a positive feminine force on Canada’s biggest stage  and has opened for Canadian country music elite Brett Kissel, Terri Clark, Madeline Merlo, Jess Moskaluke and The Abrahams. She hit national airways in 2018 with her hit charting single, “Good Times Going.” 

​Gabrielle Mooney

Extraordinary musical talent runs deep in Gabrielle Mooney’s family, her brother is Shay Mooney of the hit duo Dan + Shay. She has worked with legendary producer and songwriter, Shane McAnally. Walker Hayes’ hit single in 2018, “90’s Country” was co-written by Gabrielle! Her newest music video, “Come On In” shows fans a snapshot of her life growing up in Arkansas. 

Hannah Ellis

The University of Kentucky graduate, Hannah Ellis, competed on Season 8 of The Voice. Rolling Stone has named her an, “Artist To Watch” and Bobby Bones personally invited her to perform on his nationally-syndicated Country music morning radio show. Hannah is a brilliant songwriter and has written songs recorded by artists such as, Carly Pearce, Russell Dickerson, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery and more. 

Clare Dunn

Originally from Colorado, Clare Dunn is a talented female powerhouse who is signed with Big Yellow Dog Music. Clare has opened for notable acts Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and Trace Adkins to name a few. Upon first moving to Nashville she sang backup on Luke Bryan’s hit, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” Her new single, “Salt and Lime” was released this year as well as “Honestly: A Personal Collection EP.” 

Maggie Rose

The New York Times proclaimed, “Maggie Rose is a sturdy heartbreaker...full of astute, aggrieved songwriting ... and attitude that even in the post-Miranda Lambert era feels knifelike.” Maggie has the versatility to play anything and anywhere from Bonnaroo to the Grand Ole Opry. Her new single, “Quarantine 45” was written and produced completely in isolation. 

Halle Kearns

Halle Kearns describes her sound as "Easy-listening style country music with a polished and bright pop production influence." She has performed all over the midwest and has opened for acts such as Eli Young Band, Tracy Lawrence and The Oak Ridge Boys. Halle recently released her EP "Finally." 

Author: Haley Moloney