We’re breaking down the 20 Country Artists who we think are set for big things in 2020 and should be on your ‘Ones to Watch’ list, both in the UK and abroad, and are bound to shake up the landscape of country music.
20. Adam Doleac
With the release of his singles ‘Famous’ and ‘Solo,’ Adam Doleac has earned a legion of fans to his catchy lyrics and sound. In 2020 he seems set to be on the brink of breaking the big leagues, with solid songs, a growing fanbase and exciting projects in the pipeline, we’re excited for Doleac to become a household name.
19. Walker County
Another CMT Next Women of Country artist, Walker County are as fun as they come. A sister duo from Walker County (shockingly), their track ‘The Hamptons’ was one of our favourite, fun tracks of 2020. For those who are fans of Rae Lynn, we raise you Walker County.
18. Emily Hackett
Ignore Emily Hackett to your detriment, ‘By the Moon’ was one of the standout EPs of 2019 and though this Nashville-based artist has flown somewhat under the radar for a few years, 2019 and 2020 are her years. Listen to ‘Worth the Weight‘ to gain a small taste of the immensity of her ability to understand the depth of human experience and emotion that she exhibits in her writing.
17. Mitchell Tenpenny
When ‘Drunk Me’ took country radio and play listing by storm, it was clear that Mitchell Tenpenny was going to be one name to know in the coming years. His debut album ‘Telling All My Secrets’ was a tour de force and now with that under his belt, he is set to perform at the C2C Spotlight stage later this year and we’re beyond excited for his UK debut.
16. Sykamore
One listen to Sykamore and you’ll be changed. With a mystical live performance and ethereal tone to her voice, it is little wonder that she was chosen as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country. Now, in 2020 we can’t wait to hear her music take a profoundly country turn.
15. Twinnie
2019 was a huge year for Twinnie with the release of her EP ‘Better When I’m Drunk,’ a slot at C2C, Nashville Meets London amongst others. Now looking to 2020, Twinnie is set to release her debut album, alongside a spot on C2C’s Spotlight stage and other exciting developments. With fantastic tracks like ‘Social Babies’ already under her belt, the only way appears up for this superstar in the making.
14. Sean Stemaly
Part of the Big Loud family, Sean Stemaly is definitely in the right place to make 2020 his year. Working with superstar producer, Joey Moi, his sound is something fresh and unique with a gorgeous tone to his voice that is bound to break hearts both sides of the pond. Give ‘Georgia‘ a listen to fall for this Kentucky boy.
13. SixForty1
SixForty1 are one of those artists who seem on the cusp of breaking new ground. Comprised of friends Brooks and Austin, the duo have one of those current on the money pop-country sounds that seems fresh whilst managing to stay firmly rooted in their country roots. With bombastic, stadium-ready tracks, we’re going to watch these two with eagle eyes going into 2020.
12. Tenille Arts
Tenille Arts made a big impact at this year’s Country Music Week. The Canadian singer has for years earned her dues with her deeply personal lyrics and well-crafted melodies. Listen to ‘Call You Names’ to fall instantly in love with this Canadian beauty.
11. Kassi Ashton
Kassi Ashton brings something wholly new and fresh to the country genre. With her blend of fresh beats and lyrics and her own unique style (both clothing and sonically), Ashton this year earned a spot on Maren Morris’ phenomenal ‘GIRL’ tour, amongst a string of other support slots. Now, the Missouri native is set to release new music in 2020 that will hopefully push her to the next level. She is an artist on the cusp of breaking brand new territory into the big leagues.
10. O&O
O&O have been a staple part of the UK country scene for some years, exhibiting slick harmonies, live performances and thoughtfully written lyrics and melodies. Now, the duo are set to release a new string of singles in 2020, off the back of recent single ‘Here We Are,’ marking a new era in their music that is set to make an exciting new year for the duo.
9. Laura Oakes
Laura Oakes has long been one of the UK country darlings, grafting hard to earn her place in the industry through tracks such as ‘Glitter.’ Her latest release ‘Welcome to the Family’ marks a new era in her music and is a statement of exciting new things to come in 2020. If this track is anything to go by, 2020 is set to be one hell of a year for Oakes.
8. Sammy Arriaga
For those of you unfamiliar with Arriaga, take one listen to ‘Love Songs.‘ In this track Arriaga exhibits a shrewd reading of the current state of music and the country genre, couching the song in modern-pop production whilst retaining a vulnerable heart to his lyrics and songwriting. The result is a catchy yet sensitive track and one that sets the foundations for what should be a stellar trajectory for Arriaga leading into 2020.
7. Madison Kozak
Signed as the first artist on Nicolle Gallyon’s label ‘Songs and Daughters,’ it is clear that Kozak has something very special about her. If ‘Household’ is anything to go by, Kozak has an incredibly bright future ahead of her – intelligent and tenderly thoughtful songwriting paired with a mesmerising tone to her vocals, Kozak is a diamond in the rough.
6. Renee Blair
Named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country for this year, Renee Blair has already made a name for herself from her wildly popular single ‘Girlfriend.’ With a bunch of projects in the works for 2020, the only way is up and on for this hugely exciting new artist on the scene.
5. Josh Kerr
Josh Kerr’s debut album was one of our top albums not just of 2019, but of the decade. With his debut under his belt and a catalogue of stellar producing and writing credits under his belt, 2020 is Kerr’s oyster and we just hope to see him this side of the pond before too long.
4. Ingrid Andress
Ingrid Andress absolutely stormed into the UK country consciousness this year with the release of her track ‘More Hearts than Mine.’ With her debut album set to be released in 2020, next year is set to be a huge year for this pop-hued country artist who leads out foremost with the core of her powerfully honed songwriting sensibilities.
3. Emma & Jolie
The newest signings to the Triple Fret Entertainment family, Emma & Jolie are set to release their first single at the end of January 2020. Having made their Nashville debut last month at acclaimed songwriters round, Song Suffragettes, and working in the studio with renowned producer Johnny Douglas, the duo are set for great things in 2020.
2. Willie Jones
We were absolutely floored by Willie Jones’ performance at Bush Hall this Country Music Week. Carving out his own unique space in the genre, Jones is positioned to win over fans of every genre, from country to pop to RnB to hip hop, bringing something wholly new and fresh to music generally. 2020 is set to be a huge year for Jones.
1. Caylee Hammack
Y’all…. Let me tell you, we’ve been obsessed with Caylee Hammack since we first heard her traditional, gorgeous twang of a vocal on Instagram. With two singles released this year, Caylee has already gone from strength to strength in 2019. 2020 is set to be her year, with a support slot on the incomparable Reba McEntire’s tour and the announcement of a slot on the Spotlight stage at C2C Festival, she’s bound to earn a legion of fans to her cause. All we ask, is more music please…
