The bright and bubbly Emily Ann Roberts is hard not to love. She’s a bright Knoxville raised country girl who doesn’t fail to bring classic country music back to life. With her loving and charismatic character that reflects in her music she's an easy favorite. Her traditional country and bluegrass sound is just something that feels nostalgic to country listeners. Emily kick started her career on The Voice on season nine (Blake Shelton's team) and since then has been writing and releasing her own works of art. She’s performed on The Opry twenty times and her newest album Can’t Hide Country has reached twenty-three million streams which was produced by Trent Willmon. Emily is continuously growing and there is no doubt she will go a long way. Our suggestion is to start with “Still Searching”
An Arkansas native now cowboying in West Texas, Matt draws from his love for those wide open spaces. If you ever wondered what Josh Turner would sound like if he grew up punching cattle, look no further. Matt spent time in Nashville, but I imagine he didn’t find the authenticity he was looking for—as he says, “I think the more honest you are with your music, I believe the more honest people listening will want to be with you.” If he didn’t love cowboying so much, he would definitely be a face of our generation’s Highwaymen. Our suggestion to start with Matt: “When You’re Looking At Me”
The “Tennessee Troubadour” Larry Fleet found inspiration in his music from the classics like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Otis Redding.. (just to name a few). He started his music career working jobs outside of music to make ends meet until he was signed with Big Loud Records. With his country classic inspirations, bold voice, and honkytonk feel he is an easy staple to enjoy. Whether you’re dancing or driving, Larry’s music is an easy choice for it all. His lyrical style has lots of charisma and he has a real talent for playing with words. You’ll need to listen to the same song more than once to get the real scoop of what Larry was trying to portray. Larry is the image of Traditional Country making a comeback and we are so here for it. We suggest starting with “Highway Feet (Live)”
As a fourth generation Idaho native with a rugged spirit true to his mountain home, Colby brings a familiar yet unique take on the genre. I’d imagine if Dave Stamey grew up listening to Rayland Baxter, Colby would be a couple generations late. Lucky for us, Colby brings a fresh fortitude to his songwriting while having an open mind about the current climate. Colby is opening for many big names, but I see no better person to headline a massive festival in the mountains. Our suggestion to start with Colby: “Outlaw In Me”
Brought to us by West Texas but Braxton now resides in the Hill Country. He has the swagger of nonchalant hip-hop legend, you wouldn’t expect the smoothest modern take on the Bakersfield sound we have. His entertainment value, vocals, and confidence packed into the freshest brushpopper makes him standout during this renaissance. After many run-ins with BK, the question is not “how far can he go?” but rather “who can stop him?”. Only he can answer that, I just hope it’s not some blonde sorority girl with a bad fake tan. Our suggestion to start with Braxton: “Cold Hard Steel and Sand”
Carter Faith is a North Carolina born and now Nashville based country artist who has been listed as one of the most emerging and growing country artists of this time. With her unique cowgirl hippie feel and her not only captivating writing skills but also with a voice like hers she is hard not be amazed by. With her country sound and easy going energy she stands out among the women of country music. Carter is the Alison Kraus of this generation (which they have also collaborated musically *hint hint*). Our suggestion to start with is “Cowboy Forever”
The Amerijuana music man Tyler Halverson is a good ole South Dakota boy based in Nashville, TN. With his classic country sound (with a western like twist) and his feel good writing style Tyler will have you either shredding the dance floor or leave you crying a few tears in your beer. The best way to describe Tyler is a good ole boy who plays some damn good ole boy country music. His band never fails to amaze you and Tyler's harmonica solos are some of the cleanest you’ll ever hear. If you're planning on rolling one to this ole boy we suggest starting with “94' Camaro”
Red is a Fort Worth local that expresses the Western side of our state. Seeing Red open for Colter Wall just made sense because they’re two-sides of the same coin--Red brings you that Texas rock to cowboy storytelling. Red’s humility and genuine presence on stage helps you feel the experience through his solo written songs. I believe Red’s time will come after this renaissance becomes “boring” and the only fans left are real. Then the real songwriters who have been overlooked for far too long will shine. Our suggestion to start with Red: "Javelina"
From Mobile, AL these two boys (Charlie Muncaster and Gary Staton) teamed up after Gary opened for Charlier’s band in 2016. Their sound is difficult to explain because it’s so unique, so if I had to paint a picture I’d say they’re the rednecks boys who can actually rap but chose to mix gospel and Merle Haggard. In the most respectful way, they are who Florida Georgia Line thought they were. That sound allows them to make both honky tonk heaters and melancholy backroad songs that take you on a journey. They can sing like a choir, twang like Clay Walker, or drop a quick tempo with lyrics that punch you in the mouth. MB is the whole reason we got the idea to write this segment—3 years in a row, banger after banger, and still isn’t getting enough recognition to break into the mainstream. Congrats on April, Gary! Our suggestion to start with Muscadine Bloodline: “Evinrudin’”
Fatefully from the small town of Poetry, TX and will be nearly 20 at the release of this blog. Ryder brings a full bass sound to each one of his well-written songs. We don’t see any reason he won’t become a HOF artist. His current skills are far ahead of his age and who knows what his songwriting will be capable of as he experiences more life. Our suggestion to start with Ryder: “In My Boots”
Texas native, Hayden Baker, got his start posting cover songs & “how-to” guitar tutorials on YouTube. That makes sense when you hear the amount of effort he puts into his picking. He is arguably one of the best guitar players in the country scene, right up there with Billy Strings and Marcus King. Don’t let our focus on his guitar keep you from recognizing his great voice and simple songwriting. Our suggestion to start with Hayden: “Even The Ghost Left Town”
HTT relates to Jenna in the way she left her raising on the ranch to pursue a marketing degree yet returning to full-time cowboying and serving our community with more fervor than if she’d never left. You can hear it in the way she speaks about her life, the land, and love. The pain in her past and her hope for the future make her music full and aromatic like she’s hosting you for a hearty meal. I love watching her work on and off the stage to lead women’s country back to where it should be without making a scene about it. Our suggestion to start with Jenna: “Fiddle And A Violin”
If you are looking for a story teller Gabe Lee is going to be the guy for you. With his country, folk, and rock like sound Gabe’s music never fails to feel very personal. Gabe is a local Nashvillian born and raised and is currently based in Nashville. He states while being a bartender in Nashville he was able to collect a lot of inspiration as he was a “... cheap therapist for whomever happened to be sitting on the barstool.”. Although Gabe’s talent is incomparable to anyone, if you enjoy storyteller musicians like Jason Isbell or The Wilder Blue you’d love Gabe Lee. Our suggestion when listening to Gabe is to start with is “Property Line”
I, John-Carter, had the pleasure of growing up with this Fort Smith native and do take credit for pushing him to form a band. This humble soul used to text me covers on audio files and say, “you can’t show anyone this.” He still does that, but now it’s for legal reasons. He used to entertain our entire swim team in-between sets with everything form Marvin Gaye to Johnny Cash to The Tokens. He’s told me, though, that he wants to bring to the scene is Creedence Clearwater Revival mixed with James Taylor, and I think he’s nailed it on the head. John David is insanely grounded, disciplined, and talented. JD will be the glue that seeps into the Appalachian subgenre, fusing and connecting sounds again, all while elevating it with the traditional sound. Our suggestion to start with JD: “High Hopes & Low Expectations”
Born only two months before myself in Texas, I just know Jake was constantly called “an old should”. He brings that sound your grandpa plays in his truck until the cassette wears out. His insane transition from The Voice to his current sound shows he’s steady but has the talent to adapt to anything he sets his eyes on. If Zach Top is the renaissance’s George Strait, Jake is our Alan Jackson. Our suggestion to start with Jake: “How Do You Honky Tonk”
William Beckman is the definition of the “old soul” of the new generation of country singers. With his upbringing in Del Rio, TX being country music, mariachi, and norteño music his music does a great job of bringing those styles to life. His music has been on the Top 20 Regional Radio Charts and has toured with a multitude of different artists as well playing at venues like Red Rocks, The Opry, Billy Bobs… etc. William has the classic country Johnny Cash vibe, voice, and sings both in English and Spanish. Williams concerts will be one of the best live concerts you will attend if dancing all night long is your forte. Our suggestion to start with is “She Can’t Be Found”
A 20-year old out of Canada hit the scene this year, but don’t expect Shania Twain. She brings a gentle grit to her songwriting that even caught the eye of Zach Bryan at his peak with “Purple Gas”. She’s one of the few western gals on the scene that doesn’t come from the folk or Texas scene. She’s clearly bound for greatness, I just hope the radio and festivals get behind her so she doesn’t starve as most gals in our scene do. Our suggestion to start with Noeline: “August”
An Arkansas native that is a massive momentum in bringing honor back to the history of the state. Mae has spoken about looking up to Rhonda Vincent and that’s obvious because she carries that same strong, feminine, “won’t take none” sound traditional women always had. Mae’s songwriting is extremely creative and her energy is palpable. I have no doubt she will be on the Mount Rushmore of Women’s Country in this renaissance. Our suggestion to start with Mae: “High and Lonesome”
Raised in rural, south Indiana by a single father who started him in boxing at a young age, Stephen has already faced the strongest opponent that most folks take a lifetime to find: himself. Some have called him “Death Cab for Country” but his Midwestern Gothic skills remind me of some mixed drink made by Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Eric Church. Each song Stephen sings feels like he’s allowing you in his time of self-reflection and there’s some wisdom you can learn as well. I look forward to seeing him finally getting the recognition he deserves, then mentoring all the artists that will want to approach him. Our suggestion to start with: “Cuckoo”
This multi-instrumentalist, songwriting fool grew up in Oklahoma gaining his talent from playing gospel. His writing perspective on these songs is indescribable and I can’t wait to see what he does for the Red Dirt Scene. Zach Bryan impatiently dropped his single on the same weekend as J.R., and I’d do the same if I saw how talented my humble pianist was. Our suggestion to start with J.R.: “Bandit”
Being raised smack dab between Nashville and Kentucky, Benjamin has a story that I don’t have enough space to write. Lucky for us, he brings us on his journeys as he writes all of his songs that can be about train hopping, the struggle of his last name, or even just his close friend leaving him a notebook. Benjamin stands ten toes down about our community and refuses to give into Nashville, his talented has finally been recognized and I highly doubt Nashville can do anything to hinder his influence. The gravel in his gut has paid off and his Lost Dog Band will soon follow. I could easily see Benjamin Tod also becoming famous for his speaking/advocating—specifically around agrarian folk. Our suggestion to start with Benjamin: “Wyoming”
The honkytonk would not be one without Jesse Daniel. Not only does Jesse have some damn good music but he has one hell of an inspirational story of how he became the country singer/songwriter he is now. Coming from a town in the mountains of Cali’s central coast he had dealt with a lot of ups and downs on the way to Austin. He started music (surprisingly enough) playing in punk bands as a drummer and dealt with years of addiction. Jesse took to writing and playing country music not only to make the amazing music he does now but also to help him come clean. He is now Austin based and released his first debut on his own record label. It doesn’t get more cowboy than that. We suggest starting with “Gracie Henrietta” on his self titled record
Zane Williams was in the scene roughly 20 years before hand picking this crew in 2019. Together they write and play life-changing dabbles of southern rock, Texas country, bluegrass, and western. Other bands find it hard to keep up with TWB’s casual licks and angelic harmonies amplifying their superteam of writers. Nashville doesn’t need to stop worshipping their pop-country bands for TWB and other current duos/groups killers to take over the scene. The power just won’t be in the lame producers of these award shows anymore. Our suggestion to start with The Wilder Blue: “Dixie Darlin’”
This mid-20 year old Alabama native has already worked with massive names and was even interview by Rolling Stones. It makes sense when you realize he resembles Vince Gills’ vocal range, nostalgic lyricism, and playful instrumentals. The uniqueness of Dee’s voice is going to market him tenfold once folks make his talents mainstream. His pure sound will clearly be influencing the scene long after we’re all gone, but I’m curious where his background with rock will help revive our genre. Our suggestion to start with Dee: “Wagon Girl”
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Keep Honky Tonks Country.
Written by Meda Chrapkaite and John-Carter McGehee