Country music is a massive genre with nearly a century of history behind it. However, it can start to seem like the entire musical landscape is made up of a handful of artists who regularly release hit songs and dominate the airwaves. This is great for those who want to hear their brand of modern country. However, it can turn off longtime genre fans or those who see the mainstream output as shallow or repetitive. Fortunately, countless independent country artists are flying under the radar and making great tunes.
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These artists are largely independent, fly under the radar, and make some of the best country music on the market today. More than that, they’re all still very active and releasing new music. So, fire up your streaming service of choice and prepare to expand your horizons.
[RELATED: 7 Modern Artists for People Who Say They Don’t Make Good Country Music Anymore]
1. Silverada
Formerly known as Mike and the Moonpies, this independent country band has been releasing top-notch albums for more than a decade. Most recently, they dropped their self-titled album in 2024.
Silverada’s sound varies a bit from album to album. For instance, their most recent release combines some “Americana” sounds. Their 2019 album Cheap Silver & Solid Country Gold leans heavily into the countrypolitan sound of the ’50s and ’60s. However, hard-driving Texas honky tonk packed with Telecaster twang and plenty of steel guitar is at the heart of their sound.
Recommended Listening: One to Grow On, Silverada, Steak Night at the Prairie Rose
2. Jason Boland and the Stragglers
Jason Boland and the Stragglers is an air-tight independent country band founded in Oklahoma in the late 1990s. They have released 11 studio albums with their most recent, The Last Kings of Babylon, dropping in March 2025.
Since releasing their debut album, Pearl Snaps, in 1999, Jason Boland and the Stragglers have been one of the biggest bands in the Red Dirt and Texas Country spheres. However, they are yet to find mainstream success. They have, however, found hundreds of thousands of loyal fans.
Recommended Listening: Pearl Snaps, The Light Saw Me, The Last Kings of Babylon
3. Jesse Daniel
California native Jesse Daniel released his debut album in 2018. Since then, he has dropped three more studio albums, including his critically acclaimed 2024 full-length, Countin’ the Miles, and a live set. Later this year, he’ll add Son of the San Lorenzo to his discography.
Daniel is a student of Bakersfield Sound greats like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. However, he isn’t just aping those who came before him. Instead, he’s carrying the movement into the 21st century. His traditional country-leaning sound is only part of the draw. He’s also a top-notch songwriter with a gift for telling stories and tapping into the human condition.
Recommended Listening: Countin’ the Miles, My Kind of Country Live at the Catalyst, Rollin’ On
4. JD Clayton
Arkansas-based independent country artist JD Clayton is a relative newcomer to the scene. His 2023 debut album Long Way from Home caught the ears of thousands of listeners. Then, he released his 2025 album, Blue Sky Sundays, featuring his touring band, and introduced a refined sound.
Clayton’s sound lies somewhere between traditional country, folk, and Southern rock. The latter is a little more pronounced on his sophomore release, but he never strays too far from his country roots to turn off fans of the genre. Like others on this list, his songwriting is the real star of the show. He’s an observant storyteller who paints pictures with words and a guitar.
Recommended Listening: Long Way from Home, Blue Sky Sundays
Featured Image by Will Von Bolton
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