Alannah McCready – The last time Music Spotlight artist Alannah McCready put on new music was in 2022. Her EP Back To Me featured five tracks and her highly acclaimed single with Will Gittens, “Can I Call.” Now a Nashville resident, the former hockey player, and Minnesota native is a regular performer at Tin Roof Nashville and Barstool Nashville. She is currently working on a new EP and will soon be releasing its first single “Easy” a pop-country tune that is “very much me” as an artist.
McCready continued, “There is going to be something for everyone on my new EP.” Be on the lookout for her new music because I know anything she brings will be worth the wait.
Andy Pursell – South Central Florida resident Andy Pursell was raised on traditional country music.
The former lineman stated, “Country came from the town I grew up in Arcadia. We’re surrounded by it, and it’s embedded in your life.”
While working on the power lines after Tropical Storm Debbie in 2012, he came across a recording studio while repairing the lines. Since he had recently written a song, the owner Del Couch allowed him to cut it.
This chance meeting eventually led to a change of careers where the country crooner has released fan favorite singles like “Right Amount of Wrong,” “Me Myself and the Tide,” and now his newest song, “I Need You Bad” which is a love song a where a pedal steel guitar achingly reels alongside the artist.
If traditional country music is your thing, you’ve got to check out Andy Pursell.
Annie Bosko – Since I featured Annie Bosko and her debut self-titled EP in October of 2023, the artist’s star has continued to rise as she signed a record deal with Stone Country Records. Most notably, she was recently featured on Jimmy Kimmel singing the smash hit from her EP, “Neon Baby.”
With 2023, being a groundbreaking year for the artist, she is starting 2024 like a rocket. Like most artists, she has new music on the horizon including a duet with Vince Gill and another with fellow Californian, Dwight Yoakam.
Besides playing festivals all over the USA, Bosko is playing her first C2C Festival in London. Country music has become a huge thing in Europe and most country artists are smart enough to be a part of the escalating movement.
Be sure to follow Annie Bosko on her website. She is playing shows across America and this one artist you will want to see live.
Bigg Vinny – Biggest Loser alum Bigg Vinny (Vincent Hickerson) has a “coming from nothing” story unlike any I have ever heard. Toby Keith discovered him at a Sonic Drive-In when he was 22 and that chance meeting would forever change his life. Besides teaching the ropes about music and including him in the original Trailer Choir band, he knew Toby Keith on a personal level and called him “the most philanthropic person I knew.”
Now Bigg Vinny is a solo act, he is singing and speaking to groups all over the country. Fans resonate with the fun-loving, rocking country songs and “All We Need” and “The Good Life.” But it is his newest single, “Battleground” is about football and is quickly becoming a fan favorite. The driving tune that is more rock than country needs to be played on College Game Day.
Bigg Vinny is an inspirational speaker as much as an artist and credits Jesus and his belief in God with his life being turned around. He was recently named a top ten finalist in Grant Cardone’s Great American Speak Off.
Vinny’s platform now reaches far beyond singing music. He now reaches hearts as a motivational speaker and advocate for health and fitness. He is a living testament to the power of determination.
Billie Jo Jones – When I walked into CRS, there was this ginormous poster of a gorgeous blonde country singer on one of the columns. I thought, “I think I am interviewing her.”
Billie Jo Jones is quickly becoming a very well-known household name and is a favorite in the Texas country music scene. She has shared the stage with Gene Watson, the Oak Ridge Boys, Wade Bowen, Adam Hood, and Deana Carter to name a few.
Brought up listening to traditional country music, getting to open for Ray Price was a career highlight because he was a favorite of her grandparents who raised her.
She advised, “I’m still trying to sprinkle traditional country in with the music that I’m releasing these days. I love it. Real Country Music is what I call it.”
Although “Redneckin’” is a fan favorite, she prefers her newly released single “Right Now Kinda Girl” which was produced by the legendary Kent Wells. The new song is quickly climbing the charts.
Jones is working on her first full-length country album and Kent Wells is the producer for all ten songs. “The experience I’ve got working with him has been incredible. He’s pushed me and made me better,” she explained.
Her advice to other young artists is, “Stay true to your roots.”
BoomTown Saints – When I featured Chris Ramos and Ben Chism of BoomTown Saints in June of 2023, they had just played CMA Music Fest on The Hardrock Stage and had recently released their debut EP and newest single, “Blacktop Don’t.” And while the single “All Trucks Go To Heaven” launched their career, “Blacktop Don’t” catapulted it.
The duo were recently named 2024 Country Breakout Independent Artist of the Year by MusicRowmagazine. The MusicRow Country Breakout Awards celebrate those who have dominated country radio’s secondary market. Winners in eight categories are determined by spins on the secondary market stations that report to the MusicRow Country Breakout Radio Chart panel each week.
Ramos explained, “We thought there were going to be like 20 or 30 awards. There were eight. We didn’t expect it, but we were the highest streamed independent artist.”
But like all aspiring artists, BoomTown Saints already has new music ready to release. They have two new songs ready to go and they have paired up with Sam Grow for a third single to be released in May.
I love BoomTown Saints’ energy and passion. I love the songs they have released so far. As they continue to tour and put out new music, I will always keep up with everything they bring us.
Brett Kissel – Brett Kissel is probably the hardest-working artist I have ever interviewed. The father of four and CCMA Award-winning artist recently released the fourth and final album from his ambitious musical endeavor “The Compass Project” titled North Album in December of 2023.
“The Compass Project” consists of four distinct albums that each describe a different part of Kissel’s personality and sound. South Album is “classic Brett” with contemporary tracks that fans can sing along to. East Album features Kissel’s acoustic, laidback side. West Album brings in the southern twang and classic country that Kissel loves to perform. North Album contains many of Kissel’s greatest hits performed live, as it shows his passion for performing. Kissel is currently nominated for a JUNO award with South Album for “Country Album of the Year.”
Kissel boasts multi-millions of streams with hit songs like “Make a Life, Not a Living,” “She Drives Me Crazy” and “Drink About Me” to name a few. But the one thing that the ultra-achiever could not figure out was how to ploy TikTok properly. But TikTok superstar Cooper Allen found Kissel, and they put out a duet together called, “Two of Us” a song that must be added to your summer BBQ or beach party playlists. Now Kissel’s TikTok numbers are as respectable as his other social media platforms.
Regardless of his current success, you know Brett Kissel will continue touring and creating new music for years to come. Keep up with him on his website and all his socials and most importantly, keep him on your radar.
Heartland – Last year, I was honored to feature Heartland in my Music Spotlight column when the group got back together. They along with their new lead singer, Lance Horton, have had tremendous success with the newest single, “No Tomorrow.”
What I did not realize was that the single had not officially been sent to terrestrial radio. It goes out on March 11th. The band has recorded an album’s worth of music and will be releasing new singles in due time.
“We’ll start trickling out snippets on TikTok and Instagram and then go shoot the video for the next single that’s going to come out,” stated Heartland drummer Todd Anderson.
They also have plans to go back to the studio and record even more new music.
We, the fans, are excited the group is back together and are thrilled with any new music they bring us.
However, Heartland is ready to get back out there and tour.
“You don’t know how much you miss until you’re back at it again. Recording new music gives you an excuse to go out and play live. We’re ready to roll.” Horton confirmed.
Be sure to follow Heartland on their website and socials so you can be the first to know when new music is coming.
Bethany Writes 