2024 was a banner year for country artists from the biggest stars to the newest up-and-comers. Fans saw acts like Zach Top and Wyatt Flores emerge, releasing great music and playing to crowds across the nation. Additionally, established acts made huge waves on the charts and streaming platforms. This momentum will likely carry over into the new year.
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Next year, a new crop of artists will climb to the top, introducing themselves to the world, making new fans, and finding widespread acclaim. Below are a few American Songwriter believes will make waves in the coming year.
American Songwriter’s Top Up-and-Coming Country Artists of 2024
Some of these are obvious. For instance, Zach Top and Wyatt Flores are well on their way to being some of the biggest stars in the genre. Others, though, may be new discoveries for some readers. So, dive in, listen to some great music, and prepare for another big year in 2025.
Zach Top
Zach Top is country music’s “next big thing.” He didn’t sweep award shows or dominate the charts this year. However, there’s no denying that 2024 was his year. He exploded onto the scene with Cold Beer & Country Music and found himself on the road with some of the biggest stars in the genre. He is also at the forefront of a ‘90s country revival that most fans of the genre can get behind.
Keep an eye on Top in the coming year. He’s built a wave of momentum and demonstrated how well he can ride it. He’ll likely ride that wave into 2025 with great success.
Wyatt Flores
Wyatt Flores is another artist who had a massive year in 2024. He was on the road virtually all year and released his debut full-length album. Welcome to the Plains will likely find itself in several year-end lists and will help propel this young singer/songwriter to wider mainstream acclaim.
Don’t be surprised when the wider industry takes note of this indie country forerunner. We’ll likely be seeing him on awards shows and hearing more of his music on the radio in the coming years.
India Ramey
India Ramey isn’t new to the independent country scene. She released her debut album Blood Crescent Moon in 2013. More recently, she took second place in the 2023 American Songwriter Song Contest with her song “Ain’t My First Rodeo.” You can find that song on her latest album Baptized by the Blaze from earlier this year.
Ramey may not be the “next big thing” but if you’re not listening to her, you’re missing out. Her sharp songwriting, the combination of vintage and modern sounds, and attitude made her a standout among indie artists. If you enjoy the fiery ladies of ‘90s country or artists like Nikki Lane and Sierra Ferrell, you’re going to like what Ramey is doing.
J.D. Clayton
J.D. Clayton is one of the most criminally underrated songwriters and performers in the business today. His most recent release, Long Way from Home (2023) is a near-perfect country album. Earlier this year, he shared a few singles as he gears up to bombard the world with new music in 2025. The new music features his air-tight live band and a rock-infused sound that will bring to mind the boot-stomping sounds of the Outlaw Country movement of the ‘70s.
Check out tracks like “Dance Another Dance,” “Arkansas Kid,” and “High Hopes & Low Expectations” to see why he’ll find a major career bump in 2025.
Harper O’Neill
Harper O’Neill won the 2022 American Songwriter Song Contest with her track “Somebody.” She followed that win with her 2023 album Dark Bar Daisy, a fantastic offering that showcases her songwriting and unique blend of styles. She spent most of 2024 on the road or writing songs for a forthcoming project.
Keep your eyes and ears open for O’Neill in 2025, she’ll be releasing new music, playing shows across the country, and continuing her journey to the top. Don’t miss out on your chance to say you were cranking her music before she was big.
Pug Johnson
Pug Johnson released his debut album Throwed Off and Glad in 2022 to praise across the independent country music world. His style is rooted in traditional country music and features lyrics that will resonate with the downtrodden and working-class. Songs like “Miss You All,” “Poncho,” and “Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll” are great examples of what makes Johnson stand out from the crowd.
Johnson will be rolling out some of the finest music of his short career in the coming months. Don’t sleep on this hard-hitting country up-and-comer.
Ben Jarrell
Ben Jarrell is the up-and-comer for anyone who says they don’t make good country music anymore. His 2024 album A Country Song is proof that young artists are out there making the kind of music that genre purists want to hear. Tracks like “Gettin’ Gone,” “Shadow of a Shade Tree,” and the album’s title track are like stepping into a sonic time machine to the past in the best way possible.
The Doohickeys
The Doohickeys’ video for their song “Rein It in Cowboy” won the American Songwriter Light, Camera, Talent competition. More recently, they’ve started releasing singles for their upcoming album All Hat No Cattle. “This Town Sucks” and “Can’t Beat My Old Beater” are prime examples of what makes this duo special.
The Doohickeys combine a deep respect for traditional country music with a quirky sense of humor to create something unique. While listeners will find humor in their songs, the music is seriously good. Don’t sleep on these country up-and-comers.
J.R. Carroll
You’ll find this up-and-comer’s style somewhere between traditional country music, Red Dirt, and singer/songwriter. J.R. Carroll released his debut album Dark Cloud earlier this month, just in time to find its way onto the year-end lists of those with a taste for songs that are well-written and beautifully delivered.
Keep your eye out for Carroll as he kicks off his headlining tour across the United States in 2025. While you’re waiting for him to come to your town, check out “On the Road,” “Shame,” and the album’s title track.
Jesse Daniel
If you’re on the lookout for classic country music that would sonically have been right at home in the honky tonk scene 50 years ago with lyrics about modern struggles, keep your eyes on this up-and-comer. Jesse Daniel expertly bridges the gap between the past and present with his honky tonk sound and sharp, vulnerable, and masterful songwriting.
His most recent album Countin’ the Miles is a perfect example of why he’s a favorite among independent country music fans.
Honorable Mentions
These country up-and-comers are a little different. They’re the kind of acts that aren’t overly concerned with reaching mainstream success. However, they’ll likely find it in the coming years. If not, they’ll continue to release top-tier music for devoted fans and play to rooms packed with people who will sing along with every song.
Benjamin Tod/Lost Dog Street Band
Benjamin Tod fronts Lost Dog Street Band and works as a solo artist. Both projects have been running for more than a decade. However, 2024 was arguably the biggest year of their careers. Lost Dog’s new album Survived and Tod’s solo release Shooting Star made waves this year. Additionally, their recent tours saw them playing bigger rooms than ever before. Also, they finally made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2024. Those who enjoy string band music (Lost Dog Street Band) or classic honky tonk (Benjamin Tod) need to keep their eye and ears peeled for this powerhouse songwriter and his acts.
Listen to: “If You Leave Me Now” (LDSB), “Shooting Star” (Benjamin Tod)
Vincent Neil Emerson
A stunningly underrated songwriter and performer, Vincent Neil Emerson is a breath of fresh air in the country music world. Over the last few years, he proved not only his ability to craft timeless songs but also his range as a songsmith.
Listen to: “Ballad of the Choctaw-Apache” and “Willie Nelson’s Wall”
Zach Welch
Zach Welch’s music is toe-tapping country music infused with punk rock attitude. With albums packed with songs about real-world struggles, Welch has a bright future ahead of him. You won’t hear him on the radio, but his tunes should be in your playlists.
Listen to: “Family” and “Religion”
Matt Moran
Do you like sad country songs? How about songs about the struggles of addiction, recovery, and getting your life together? Well, Matt Moran is an artist you should be listening to.
Listen to: “Palomino” and “Tequila or Me”
Will Payne Harrison
A staple of the East Nashville scene, Louisiana native Will Payne Harrison wears his Cajun influences on his sleeve. His sound lands somewhere between the bars of East Nashville and the swamps of Louisiana. If you’re looking for music that will make you feel while you’re dancing, Harrison is your guy.
Listen to: “Tioga Titan” and “Full Moon Fever”
Featured Image by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association
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