With so much talent pouring into the UK and Nashville country scene, it can be hard to see who’s going to make it big with so many new releases. However, we’ve chosen 19 artists who we’re looking to in 2019 to make big waves in the industry, both with their new music tours and more, including 4 UK-based artists (Remember Monday, O&O, Two Ways Home and Twinnie).
Bands
O&O
Having released two stunning EPs, we’re watching with eager anticipation to see what move O&O make next. With perfectly blended harmonies, poignant and unique storytelling and undeniable chemistry on-stage, they make a compelling duo, bringing something unique and profound to the UK country scene.
For Fans Of: Scarlett and Gunnar
Remember Monday
It’s nearly impossible not to fall for the immensely likeable trio that are Remember Monday, and the girls are set for an incredibly exciting year in 2019. Having released their single ‘Drive,’ and having been brought under the wing of Tim Prottey Jones (The Wandering Hearts), the new name and music are working for the band, and it’s nearly impossible not to root for them to succeed – with catchy tunes, seemingly effortless harmonies and an enviable bond between the three, musically and off-stage.
Tune into the podcast this Monday to hear all about their plans for the upcoming year.
For Fans Of: The Dixie Chicks
Two Ways Home
2018 finished with a bang for London-based duo Two Ways Home who exceeded their Indiegogo campaign to fund their debut album. 2019 is therefore set to be a big year for the pair to record the album. Having garnered support throughout the UK country industry, hosting The Round Up, playing an unforgettable set at The Long Road in September and at Nashville Meets London this summer, this is bound to be one of the most exciting records to be released in the UK in 2019.
For Fans Of: Kate Bush meets Johnny Cash
Female Solo Artists
Twinnie
Twinnie’s 2018 appears to have been one for the books. Having been signed by BMG, she has been hard at work curating her debut album – with her debut single set to be released this year – and touring the material around the UK, including supporting Joshua Hedley, Russell Dickerson and slots at The Long Road festival. Anyone who has seen her live will have witnessed her star qualities in the making – with catchy, commercial tunes, beautiful vocal tones and an easy stage presence, it’s more a question of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Twinnie will make it.
For Fans Of: Maren Morris meets Lee-Ann Womack
Lauren Jenkins
Following the release of her stunning debut single, ‘Give Up The Ghost,’ singer/songwriter/actress and now country star Lauren Jenkins will release her debut album No Saintlater this year. Blending rock and country with stunning vocals, Jenkins empowering, unique and ethereal sound will doubtless be one to watch this year.
For Fans Of: Sheryl Crow
Kassi Ashton
2018 was a huge year for UMG Nashville signed artist Kassi Ashton who released her first two singles, ‘California Missouri’ and ‘Taxidermy.’ Anyone who attended the CMA songwriter series will have noticed Ashton’s easy, sassy stage presence that alone could make her a star and it’s with high hopes that we wait for the release of her debut album later this year. Blending a unique vocal tone with a no-fucks given authenticity and effortlessly interesting songwriting, Ashton seems to have cracked the code to potential musical success.
Read our review of her set at the CMA series here.
For Fans Of: Caitlyn Smith
Tenille Townes
One listen to Townes’ Living Room Worktapes EP makes it clear why Townes has been tipped for success by her label Columbia Nashville. Townes is both a unique storyteller and vocalist, with a lovable personality that makes it easy to root for her success. Having supported Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert on tour, Townes’ route to stardom seems wide open.
Read our interview with Tenille here.
For Fans Of: Lori McKenna and Charlie Worsham
Nora Collins
Nora Collins has an old-school country quality to her voice, but softened with the sweet tonality of her voice. Her free spirit comes through in her EP Strings a work that has the power to cut through the noise of modern country music. Her songwriting is important – just give ‘Plain Jane’ one listen. Her talent is already being recognised for Vince Gill lends his vocals to this last…
For Fans Of: Miranda Lambert
Heather Morgan
To say we loved Heather Morgan’s debut album ‘Borrowed Heart’ is an understatement. Having written with the likes of Dierks Bentley, Brett Eldredge and Lori McKenna the album is a lesson in stellar songwriting. Now that Morgan is fronting the beautiful songs she writes and lending her powerful vocals to them, she seems bound for success.
For Fans Of: Ashley Monroe
Rachel Wammack
Rachel Wammack’s soulful pop-country voice has one of those tones and notes to it that sticks with you long after one listen.Her debut single, ‘Damage’ is one of those songs that is partly empowering and partly heart-pluckingly beautiful and poignant – testament to how long she has been songwriting for. A full-length album is set to follow her release last year of her self-titled EP.
For Fans Of: Faith Hill
Hannah Ellis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lgGk2qKZyQ
Heading out on the road with Clare Dunn and Cassadee Pope as part of CMT’s Next Women of Country Tour, Ellis has one of those effortless voices and styles that make her seem a star even before she sells out arenas. ‘Home and a Hometown’ is one of those songs that gets firmly stuck in your head and just won’t leave.
For Fans Of: Lauren Alaina
Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson is hard not to instantly like. With a thick Louisiana accent and charm and sass in bucket loads. Marked by CMT as one of the Next Women of Country and having released her self-titled EP this year, it is easy to think she has earned her success easily, but this comes off the heels of years grafting in the industry, including living in a trailer in Nashville. We’re glad she didn’t quit, for her debut album is one we already know will rapidly become one of our favourites, and we don’t even have a release date for it yet….
For Fans Of: Kacey Musgraves
Lauren Duski
Lauren Duski brings something utterly unique to the country genre. Her single ‘Costume Party’ is incredibly poignant and moving. Husky, deep vocals pair with a powerful message to create this moving ballad. Having appeared on The Voice in 2017, Lauren released this single, and her latest single ‘Heart Hurt Good,’ this year, allowing her natural storytelling side to shine through to its full potential. We’re excited to hear more from this Michigan native…
For Fans Of: Ashley Monroe
Male Solo Artists
Travis Denning
Travis Denning is set to play the CMA Songwriters Series in March, and we’re excited to see the UMG Nashville artist this side of the pond. Having secured cuts with the likes of Jason Aldean and Chase Rice, it’s clear that Denning is a world class songwriter and storyteller and the release of his first two singles makes it clear that he is on track to be a stellar artist in his own right.
For Fans Of: Blake Shelton
Filmore
You may already be familiar with Filmore, having secured play in numerous Spotlight and Apple Music playlists. Filmore has one of those sounds that is boundary-less, capable of converting any country doubters. ‘Heart’s Having a Hard Time’ and ‘Slower’ were staggeringly good singles, boding well for a full-length album.
For Fans Of: Sam Hunt and Walker Hayes
Tyler Rich
One listen to the hugely popular single ‘The Difference’ will prove there is something special about Tyler Rich. It’s a beautiful, heart-warming song, detailing the real-life courtship between Tyler Rich and his fiancee. From an artist already signed by Big Machine, it’s clear that Rich has a bright future ahead of him and an exciting 2019 lined up.
For Fans Of: Dan + Shay
Austin Burke
Having enjoyed massive success with his single, ‘Whole Lot in Love,’ Arizona-born Austin Burke pairs emotive lyrics, with effortless vocals, a Keith Urban entertaining ability with the looks of Shawn Mendes that is sure to earn him a spot in the stars of 2019.
For Fans Of: Walker Hayes
Jordan Brooker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JP3sPYBWys
Brooker has that kind of straight-up country sound that makes you wish it was summer to wind the windows down and take a road trip to nowhere. Working with Grammy-award wining producer Luke Wooten on his first EP paid off, leading to a polished and heartfelt sound that could have been pulled off a full-length album from an artist with decades in the industry.
For Fans Of: Dierks Bentley
Adam Wakefield
Continual comparisons to Chris Stapleton appear to do a disservice to the unique qualities of Adam Wakefield’s voice. Wakefield is an artist who appears fiercely protective, both in style and sound, of the great country artists of the past, including Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, combining blues and soul in a stunning, gravelly voice. His stunning debut album Gods & Ghosts was a feat in storytelling and how to preserve country soul with a modern touch.
For Fans Of: Chris Stapleton
Mitchell Tenpenny
Having scored nearly 25 million YouTube streams with his single ‘Drunk Me,’ it is clear that Mitchell Tenpenny is already tapping into something special. His debut album Telling All My Secrets was a mammoth body of work – released in Dec 14 2018 and is worth more than just one listen. Hitting the road with Old Dominion this year, it is hopeful that Tenpenny will build and build on the success of ‘Drunk Me.’
For Fans Of: Kane Brown
Adam Hambrick
Having penned songs for Dan + Shay (How Not To) amongst others, it is clear in Hambrick’s debut single ‘Rockin’ All Night Long’ that he has honed his songwriting craft, with a vocal tone to rival Shay Mooney’s, we have very high hopes for his debut album.
For Fans Of: Dan + Shay
