Click each name to learn what’s new in country music.
Alex Miller, Allie Colleen, Ana Cristina Cash, Ashley Ryan, Billie Jo Jones, Boom Town Saints’Brook Ellingworth, Carrie Brockwell, Chancey Williams, Charly Reynolds, Emily Brooke, Gareth, Ian Flannigan, Ira Dean, Jake Brown (Author)/Steve Moakler, Jessie G, Jet Jurgensmeyer, Joe Hermes, Joey Myron, John Berry, Juna N Joey, Kalsey Kulyk, KC Johns, Kelli Belles, Lauren Watkins, Lucas Hoge, Makenzie Phipps, Oak Ridge Boys – Duane Allen, Paulina Jayne, Scotty Hasting, Skip Ewing, Swon Brothers, T. Graham Brown, Taylor Austin Dye, Timmy McKeever, Tori Martin, Trey Calloway, Tyra Madison, Walker Montgomery, Will Morton
Alex Miller
I have wanted to meet the talented Alex Miller for quite a while, and when he teamed up with Music Spotlight artist Emily Ann Roberts for their cheeky single, “More Country Than You,” I was eager to interview him.
Miller hails from Lancaster, Kentucky, a farming town south of Lexington. He grew up working on the farm during the day, but at night, he would sing and pick the guitar, performing at local venues when possible. He was a member of his high school FFA, and when he entered their talent contest, he was good enough to make it to the National Finals.
When he was 17, American Idol asked him to try out for the show. He made it to Hollywood, and that experience led him to realize he wanted to pursue country music as a career. Shortly after his exit from the show, Miller secured a manager, a booking agent, and a record label, where he released singles like “Girl, I Know a Guy,” “When God Made The South,” and “Puttin’ Up Hay.”
In June of 2024, Alex debuted on the Grand Ole Opry. “It was an incredible, amazing experience,” he shared.
At age 21, Miller is focusing on his songwriting and recording for the upcoming project. His latest radio single/video, “She Makes Dirt Look Good,” is fast becoming a programmer’s favorite.
Allie Colleen
Since I last spoke to Allie Colleen at CRS 2024, she has been on tour with Jelly Roll, making it one of the most exciting times of her life. Besides the incredible performances, when Collen toured with Jelly Roll and his crew, it was an amazing experience because they all looked like her. Most importantly, everyone, including Shaboozy and Ernest, was kind.
Allie Colleen has been celebrated for her iconic voice and remarkable songwriting talent, and she kicks off the new year with the release of her five-song EP, Sincerely, Rolling Stone. In a town filled with extraordinary talent, it is rare for an artist to know exactly who she is and what she wants to say. Colleen is fearless in her artistry, not caring what the establishment thinks, as she continues to break molds inside the country genre that will impact not only her career but the careers of artists to come after.
This year, Colleen will continue to tour independently, and her avid fanbase will continue to support her as they have from the beginning.
Ana Cristina Cash
Ana Cristina Cash is a bilingual Cuban-American artist raised in Miami who happens to be married to country music’s John Carter Cash. When I featured the multi-talented singer in 2020, I learned Cash had been singing most of her life, including singing the “Star Spangled Banner” at President Bush’s inauguration in 2005.
Cash recently released “Last Call,” in English and Spanish “Tu Última Llamada.” The song is a bold and empowering anthem that captures the raw emotions of betrayal and self-reclamation. With Ana’s dynamic vocal range and powerful country instrumentation, the track is a call to embrace self-worth and break free from toxicity.
Cash will continue waterfalling singles throughout the year until she releases a full record later this summer. Recognized as a born entertainer, the new record will reflect her sentiments in the joyful, upbeat manner for which she is known.
Ashley Ryan
Ashley Ryan is a country music artist who was signed in 2022 with Spinville Music, a new independent record publisher and label based in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Corona, California, Ashley grew up with a natural talent for writing poetry and playing guitar. Her love for music and singing and her lyrical abilities quickly evolved into a passion for songwriting.
While Ryan has lived in Nashville for seven years, I didn’t notice a California accent but more of a mountain, Appalachian one.
Her biggest hit to date is “Hush Little Baby,” a somber song about mothers and daughters to which many relate. The song is not overproduced, and Ryan’s vocals shine. Now, she has released “Adeline,” a song reminiscent of Dolly’s Jolene but with the sass of Miranda Lambert.
Capturing emotions from heartbreak to honkytonk, Ryan’s music provides listeners with an authentic country sound with a modern twist. Be sure to keep up with Ashley Ryan on her website and all her socials as she will be around for years to come.
Billie Jo Jones
One of the hottest new females on the Texas Country Music scene is Billie Jo Jones, whom I first met at CRS 2023. As one of the flagship artists on Get Joe Records, Jones’ singles remind me of a young Dolly Parton. With her smash hit, “Whose Tequila Are You Drinking?” and “Right Now Kinda Girl” and her current, “Some Girls Don’t Cry,” Miranda Lambert’s influence is evident.
She agreed, “If you would take Dolly Parton and Miranda Lambert, maybe a little bit of Carrie Underwood altogether, I’d be a mixture of all three of them.”
Even with the success of her previous two albums, as is the norm, Jones is working on her next project, for which she has co-written 10 of the 13 songs soon to be released.
Attending CRS is vital for the Texas native, so those in Music City can be apprised of the rising female artist Billie Jo Jones and learn what she is bringing to the world of country music.
Boom Town Saints
Trying to keep up with the Boom Town Saints is the equivalent of keeping up with a cat chasing a laser pointer. Since I featured Chris Ramos and Ben Chism in 2023 and their exciting anthem, “Blacktop Don’t,” the pair has released “Heart Breaks You,” “American Dream,” “Good Day To Get Gone,” and most recently, “This Side Of The Dirt.”
I met up with Boom Town Saints at CRS, where they talked about “This Side Of The Dirt.”
Ramos shared, “It’s about never giving up because everybody has an opportunity to make their life what they want it to be. God will fight with you as long as you’re fighting along. He’s going to keep staying there with you. And the song is literally about never giving up and chasing your dreams, and leaving a legacy that lives on well past you.”
Not only that, the pair was recently named CDX Group of the Year. They were “grateful” and “humbled” to be given such an award. Look for new music on the horizon soon.
Brook Ellingworth
While real country singers who are born in Great Britain are not unheard of, they are, for the most part, a rarity. Rising British Country Artist Brook Ellingworth is swiftly making his mark in the music world with heartfelt lyrics, infectious melodies, and hooks that captivate you from the first listen. From a small town outside Oxford, England, this 25-year-old artist blends his roots in both country and rock ‘n’ roll to create songs that resonate deeply with his audience.
Since age 11, he has had his eyes set on the stage. By the time he was 20, he had taken the plunge and moved to Nashville to pursue the music that he had listened to as a child.
Ahead of this new album, Roll The Dice (Out February 28th), Ellingworth attended CRS where he met people from the music industry as we met this promising new talent.
If his new singles “Truck Stop” and “Roadmap To Your Heart” indicate what is to come, Roll the Dice is a record that you will want to listen to on repeat.
Carrie Brockwell
Nineteen-year-old songwriting prodigy and powerhouse vocalist Carrie Brockwell is a freshman at Belmont University majoring in Music Business. When I went to check out her music, I was in awe of the size of the teenager’s catalog. She records her music wherever she can, from Full Circle Recording in her home state of Virginia to Kingston Studios in New York.
Not only that, her album, Dear Nashville, won Album of the Year at the 2024 Josie Music Awards. And even with her success, she knows having a good foundation in the Music Business is key to her success as an artist.
Brockwell attended CRS, where she continued promoting her new single, “Things Are Getting Good,” which will surely bring a smile to your face.
As the singer/songwriter continues her schooling, look for new music to be released by the end of the year.
Chancey Williams
When I first heard Chancey Williams’ music, I wondered how in the world I hadn’t come across him before as the former rodeo contender sings songs that are in my sweet spot, like “Rodeo Cold Beer,” “The World Needs More Cowboys,” “Miles On Me,” and “Highway Junkie.”
With a sound that is reminiscent of a mix between Toby Keith and Hank Williams, Jr, the northeastern Wyoming native has toured the nation, taking the stage ahead of headliners Toby Keith, Cody Johnson, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley and Parker McCollum, performing at a sold-out Ryman Auditorium, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, as well as headlining at The National Finals Rodeo and multiple performances at the Grand Ole Opry.
His latest single, “The Ballad of Uncle Don,” is a true story about his uncle Don, who won a horse by riding it after it was said that it couldn’t be ridden. The song, which I consider pure country gold, has footage of Uncle Don riding in the 1950s and 60s.
He advised, “It’s been number one at the CMT 12 pack for three weeks now. The fans love it because of its true authenticity.”
If real country western music is your thing, then Chancey Williams is an artist you must follow.
Charly Reynolds
Last year, Music Spotlight artist Charly Reynolds released her newest album, Off The Record. Besides the sassy title track, the album also included hit songs like “People Think,” as in “I don’t worry what people think,” and “Visiting Hours,” a song in which Reynolds speaks lovingly about missing her brother. The songs have resonated deeply with her growing fan base.
Because the album was so good, Reynolds thought, “What can I do to keep it relevant for a little while? Half those songs were written on just a guitar.”
They released an acoustic version with just a guitar, fiddle, Cajon, and Reynolds. The stripped-down version of Off The Record will include an extra song, so be on the lookout for these reimagined songs starting in March.
Reynolds is in the middle of the highly anticipated Behind The Guitar Acoustic Tour alongside friend and country star Kelli Belles.
Emily Brooke
In November of 2024, Emily Brooke released her current album, All The Pieces (Unplugged), which captures the full spectrum of Brooke’s emotions through personal experiences.
Brooke has come a long way since appearing on American Idol at 17 in 2016. Her exquisite smash hit “Easy On Me” placed her firmly on the Pop-Country landscape, and now the more experienced singer continues to connect with fans with relatable songs like “not yet” and “last to know.”
The simply produced All The Pieces (Unplugged), showcases Brooke’s sincere songwriting and vibrant vocals. She proves she has what it takes to continue to matter as a relevant female country artist.
Gareth
Northern Ireland-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Gareth is making a significant splash with the CMT Music premiere of his official music video for “Last Thing I Do,” which debuted on February 6.
Gareth wrote the song alongside Zach Crowell and Ilsey Juber in June of last year. He stated, “It was one of those songs whenever we wrote it, I knew instantly that I liked it.”
Born and raised in Castlederg, Northern Ireland, Gareth is gaining serious traction for blending his Irish roots with a love for country music and storytelling. He got his big break when his cover of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” went viral, amassing over 25 million views and 15 million streams.
Now part of BMG Publishing, Gareth released his newest single, “Quiet In This House,” this Friday. The song expertly combines the style of an Irish folk tune with the storytelling of a well-loved country song. It is a poignant reminder not to forget those who got you to where you are now.
If you want to see Gareth on tour this spring, you must visit Europe. Otherwise, keep up on Instagram, where he has nearly half a million followers.
Ian Flanigan
A lot has changed for Ian Flanigan since I interviewed him in April of 2022. The Voice season 19 alum tied the knot with Kelsey Charles in a small, intimate ceremony at the 4 Eagle Ranch in Beaver Creek, Colorado, on February 29, 2024, at precisely the exact spot where the pair met in October of 2022.
This past June, the happy couple welcomed twin girls, Lennon James and Callie Catherine, who have completed their new family.
Despite all the changes, Flanigan continues to bring us his version of rocking country, starting with the upbeat “Rather Be Country” and “Evergreen,” a tribute to his beautiful wife.
On March 7th, Flanigan will release his new album, The Man My Mama Raised, a collection of 13 mostly original songs. The title track has already been released, and if it is any indication, the rest of the album will be off the charts.
He shared, “This record is very personal to me. I lost my mother last year when I started writing this project, and it was just such a whirlwind because the woman that you love the most in your life is just gone. And so, I wrote kind of a series of songs.”
Flanigan will be touring as he promotes his new album. Check here for more information.
Ira Dean
Ira Dean is one of the most prolific songwriters in Nashville. Once a part of the popular country-rock band Trick Pony, Dean has had songs recorded by Ronnie Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Joe Nichols, Chris Young, Trace Adkins, Colt Ford, Heidi Newfield, Jake Owen, Gary Allan, including his hit single: “Feeling Like That.” He has had seven songs cut by Montgomery Gentry, including their hit single “One In Every Crowd” and “Keep The Kids”. Dean co-wrote Aaron Lewis’ #1 hit “Am I The Only One” and co-produced Lewis’ #1 album Frayed At Both Ends.
Ira Dean and Ronnie Dunn have recently released the chicken pickin’ song “Tele-Man.” Accompanied by the country guitar greats Vince Gill, John Osborne, and Brent Mason, you will hear some of the best telecast guitar playing of your life on the upbeat tune.
Dean will be on tour this summer playing bass with Brooks and Dunn. They will open for Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, and more.
Jake Brown (Author)/Steve Moakler
Like me, Jake Brown loves the stories behind the songs. Unlike me, he knows more about the music industry than anyone on the planet.
Brown says he got interested in what goes behind the scenes when he was a kid. His mother took him and his brother to the Bon Jovi –Slippery When Wet concert. They had terrible seats. He couldn’t see the stage much, but he could see behind the stage. “[What they were doing] was so cool to me. I had a Beatles moment,” he explained.
For our interview, Brown brought along (unbeknownst to him) Music Spotlight artist Steve Moakler, whom I covered when he released his Born Ready Album in 2018 and his Blue Jeans record in 2020.
For now, Moakler mainly concentrates on songwriting as he co-wrote Jordan Davis’s smash hit, “I Ain’t Sayin’.”
As Brown takes the reader into the recording studio in his 3rd installment of Behind The Boards: Nashville, due out June 24th, you will feel like you are sitting at the producer’s console.
While Brown is a walking encyclopedia of rock music, being around young songwriters like Steve Moakler helps him stay current with what’s happening in Music City today.
If you like the history of rock or country music, you will want to read anything that Jake Brown writes because there is little he doesn’t know.
Jessie G
Jessie G was discovered by one of my all-time favorites, Gretchen Wilson when she won a spot to sing on her Portland tour date. Eventually, she toured with Wilson and was signed to her Redneck Records label.
The wife of a veteran, Jessie G released a heartfelt tribute to our military with the critically acclaimed “Dress Blues.”
She stated, “I had a personal reason to release ‘Dress Blues.’ The song was writing itself for years in the back of my head. I was the vessel a higher power used. I went through many experiences that led me to that song.”
Now Jessie G has teamed with the Queen herself to bring us “Like My Whiskey,” a female empowerment song that will have everyone cheering along. It’s a great song and a good reminder of why we love Gretchen Wilson and her newest protégé, Jessie G.
Jessie G will continue to tour and release new music until her 2ndbaby is born in May.
Jet Jurgensmeyer
I featured Jet Jurgensmeyer in July of 2024, not long after the release of his album, The Ride Phase 2, which featured several previous releases of fan favorites such as “Good Days,” “Coffee Bar,” and “Falling Too.”
Now, the ever-evolving actor and singer/songwriter is continuing his creativity by working on an acoustic EP that showcases a different side of the artist.
Jurgensmeyer explained, “The music side of my career started with me on stage with an acoustic guitar. Having a full-production album is awesome, but I want people to feel the songs. And I feel like you can feel them better if you’re getting it the singer-songwriter style.”
In January, he released ” Midwest Sunset ” to preview what is to come. The song compares a fiery love to the vibrant colors of a sunset, with the girl’s beauty shining like the setting sun. It shows the passionate side of Jurgensmeyer but is delivered with the simplicity of the songwriter’s round.
Though still a Belmont student, Jurgensmeyer has tour dates scheduled as he balances college and his career. Watch for his new EP, which will drop later this year.
Joe Hermes
I am a huge fan of country-rock music, so you can see why I like Joe Hermes. Songs like “Baptized By The South,” “American Muscle,” and especially “Black Label Country” hit my sweet spot directly. But even outlaw country artists have a softer side, as evinced by his latest singles, “Outlaw’s Gospel” and “Outgun The Outlaw.”
Now Hermes is back to full-on rocking with his latest single, “Bury Me With My Boots On,” which has a “Country Boy Can Survive” vibe. I have heard the song, which will be released on March 7th, and I can’t wait to download it to my phone. The song is about fighting until the very end.
Hermes stated, “The devil won’t quit, and neither do I.”
After five years of traveling back and forth from Illinois to Nashville, Hermes has finally bought a place in Music City. That’s a good thing because I know he will be around for years to come.
Joey Myron
When you first meet Joey Myron, he may be the last person you would think would embrace country music.
A first-generation Russian immigrant, Joey grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, learning classical piano at a young age. He quickly realized he had a passion and love for music and how it spoke through different genres and styles. Quickly transitioning into songwriting and possessing a voice that resonated easily, Myron moved to LA shortly after attending Berklee College of Music.
When you are a talented, trained musician who chooses country music, you get something next level, something different. When I heard Joey Myron and Lucky Dog’s “Hoe Down,” I knew without a doubt that there was a seat at the country music table waiting for him.
Now, he delivers a memorable murder ballad with the song “Bang Bang Bang,” and he continues his colorful storytelling with the single “Gator Jaws.”
In January, Myron teamed up with Lucky Dog again and released “Tennessee Baby,” a song about a crazy girl he fell for in Tennessee.
Now based in Nashville, Joey Myron is climbing his way to the top, using his multicultural background to create a genre-defying sound bolstered by emotional storytelling.
John Berry
John Berry is an American country music artist and a regular performer at the Opry. Since 1979, he has recorded more than 20 studio albums. In 1994, he got to play on CRS’s New Faces show along with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and has been a regular attendee ever since.
In 2022, he released an inspirational record, Find My Faith. Now in 2025, Berry celebrates the 30-year anniversary of his hit songs, “Standing On The Edge of Goodbye,” “I Think About It All The Time,” “If I Had Any Pride Left At All,” and his Christmas single “O Holy Night.” It’s been 31 years since his mega-hit, “Your Love Amazes Me.”
Berry stated that it doesn’t even seem possible that it was so long ago. After battling throat cancer more than seven years ago, he mostly plays smaller venues where he continues to please his avid fan base.
Juna N Joey
I look forward to catching up with Music Spotlight artists Juna N Joey yearly at CRS. The brother and sister duo are full-time college students, all while recording and releasing music.
The pair have been singing together for most of their lives, but one of their newest singles, “So Long Distance,” is currently making a splash at country radio.
Joey explained, “It’s a double entendre, so long distance, and so long. It’s about realizing how hard it can be to make it through a long-distance relationship.”
As they study songwriting at Berkeley, they also write new songs with other songwriters in town, many of whom they met at CRS. They are excited to attend the renowned Key West Songwriters Festival in May, where they will continue to hone their songwriting skills.
Follow Juna N Joey on their website and all social media channels to keep up with what is next.
KC Johns
KC Johns was born in Memphis and raised in Mississippi. Her mother was a barrel racer, and her dad was a bull rider. So it was no surprise when Johns’s break-out hit, “Rodeo Queen,” went viral.
Even before hearing the boot-scootin’ melody, I knew from the beginning words “ “Mama didn’t raise no big city pretty girl…” that the song would be right up my alley. It’s an upbeat rocker, complete with roaring steel guitars. This is more than just a song. It’s a true story written from the heart about her parents and their family, who were immersed in the rodeo scene.
The best country songs are when an artist writes what they know, and “Dodging Bullets” was written by Johns alongside her bandmates, as was her latest single, “Break From the Heart.”
She confirmed, “’Break from the Heart’ was pretty much written with the boys in the band. We were riding in the van on tour, talking about life, heartbreaks, and reminiscing about love. After talking about stories all day, we wrote the song pretty quickly. We put all of our love stories into a song.”
My favorite thing about Johns’s music is her heavy emphasis on rock as a country rocker. Hearing her powerhouse pipes, you might forget what genre you are listening to, but when it’s this good, it doesn’t matter.
Follow KC Johns on her website and socials and learn where she is touring this spring and summer.
Kelli Belles
In October of 2024, I featured Kellie Belles just as she was beginning her anticipated Trust Issues Tour. In November, Belles released “What in the Truck” is a clever play on a well-known phrase, all inspired by a moment from Kelli Belles’ high school days in Nebraska when she found an unrecognizable tube of lip gloss rolling around the floorboard of her ex-boyfriend’s truck.
As she attended CRS, she was busy promoting her newest single, “Porcelain,” a song that’s a bit different than her usual fare. “It is my first real, true love song that I’ve written and actually liked. You know I’ve written a lot of songs about toxic boyfriends and cheating boyfriends,” she reminded.
Currently, Belles is in the middle of the highly anticipated Behind The Guitar Acoustic Tour, alongside friend and country star Charly Reynolds.
Ken Domash
Like me, Ken Domash got started in country music a little later than most. Last year, at CRS, he promoted his singles, “Imagine,” and “If I Was A Beer.”
He is working on his album 20 Different Routes, which will be released in August. The title track has exploded beyond his wildest dreams. The record is about all the paths you can choose in life and the many different routes that can take you to the same place.
The hook for the song came from a girl who met a guy at a bar, and he wouldn’t call her back. She thought, “I thought things were doing great. I don’t get it. I took 20 different routes home to sort it out.”
And like any good country music songwriter, Domash went home and wrote the song.
He knowingly stated, “Life can take a lot of turns, and you can find yourself going down many different routes. Sometimes, you must turn around and start all over, but no matter where you go, there you are.”
Although his current album has yet to be released, Domash is already working on the next. Be sure to follow his website and social media.
Lauren Watkins
Nashville-born Lauren Watkins released her 17-track debut album, The Heartbroken Record, on June 21, 2024, to critical acclaim, of which she co-wrote all 17 tracks. Stand-out songs include the mega-hit “Anybody But You” and her latest single, “Settling Things.”
And while she was surrounded by country music on all fronts, she was unaware of the inner workings of the business. Watkins began writing songs at age nine, and the desire to be a country singer was always present.
Signed to Nicolle Gaylon’s prestigious Songs & Daughters / Big Loud Publishing company, Watkins released two EPs before the final culmination of her biggest project to date, The Heartbroken Record, which she states is a collection of mostly heartbreak songs. But a fun fact is that she married about a month before the album’s release.
Filmed at Patsy Cline’s house in Goodlettsville, Watkins’s latest single, “Settling Things,” is among the most important on the record. It speaks to anyone who settles because that is how things have always been done.
Last year, she spent time on the road with Morgan Wallen. This year, she will be joining Lainey Wilson, Zach Top, and Riley Green for select tour dates throughout the spring and summer, as well as some of country’s biggest festivals, including Tortuga Music Festival, Sand In My Boots, Windy City Smokeout, Country Boom, and more.
Lucas Hoge
As singer/songwriter/reality TV star Lucas Hoge prepares to release his first full-length album, Book About Me, since his 2017 release of Dirty South, he attended CRS to promote his new music.
The project highlights different aspects of Hoge’s upbringing in a small farm town. The stripped, pedal steel-laced lead single from Book About Me, “When A Cowboy Prays,” (a cowboy ballad) features actor Forrie Smith from the hit Paramount show Yellowstone. It pairs Hoge’s famous baritone vocals with Smith’s husky narration as they dig into the theme of faith in cowboy culture.
As he trickles out singles leading to the record’s release by the end of the summer, he continues to emphasize the hard-working, under-appreciated blue-collar worker with his latest single, “Farmhand.”
Despite the success of his hunting show, Hoge Wild, Hoge’s journey begins and continues with a song. And with his forthcoming record, Book About Me, he continues to write songs about what he knows best, growing up in the rural heartland.
Makenzie Phipps
Makenzie Phipps has become a fixture throughout the southeast from minor league baseball games, singing the National Anthem to fairs, festivals, and honky tonks, where she has delighted fans with her authentic country voice. A regular at CRS, she continues to connect with her fanbase.
Starting as a teenage singer, her sound has matured, and the 23-year-old has released fan favorites like “Pick Your Poison,” “You Bring the Beer,” and “Pink Whitney.”
But while almost every fan of country music likes a good drinking song, Phipps knew she wanted to “expand my topic horizons” and write a song that would impact others. Her newest single, “Love Me Sober,” is about a couple that have been together. And unfortunately, the man is an alcoholic, and he struggles a lot with substance abuse. The girl has tried so hard to get him on a better path. But he’s just not at that point in his life where he wants to better himself.
Follow Makenzie Phipps on her website and social media to see if she is performing in a town near you.
Oak Ridge Boys – Duane Allen
Since the passing of beloved Oak Ridge Boys’ tenor, Joe Bonsall, people were wondering what would become of the beloved country quartet. Duane Allen explained that they have secured Ben James, a young country crooner who grew up mainly listening to the Oak Ridge Boys and the Statler Brothers because that’s all his preacher father would allow him to hear. Ben was a natural tenor, and his hero was Joe Bonsall. He knew every word to every song they ever recorded.
Before Bonall passed, at one of his last shows, they let whoever wanted to come on stage and sing “Elvira” with them. James showed up, and when it was time for the second verse, Bonsall handed him the mic. When Bonsall couldn’t tour any longer, they all knew Ben James was the one to keep the band together.
Now as the Oakridge Boys are promoting their new album, Mama’s Boys, they are on an extended Farewell Tour that is scheduled until September so far. Allen stated of James, “We’ve still not rehearsed with him, and we’ve done an album with him.”
As James sings lead on the lively “That’s The Way Mama Made It,” it is just thrilling to hear how effortlessly he blends in. You know without a doubt that Bonsall is cheering him on from heaven.
Pat Boone
Pat Boone came to CRS 2025 mainly to promote his newest project, “One – Voices for Tanzania.”
“ONE” is a humanitarian initiative that seeks to bring clean water, health services, food resources, and education to the people of Tanzania. It is a deeply personal and transformative project for Boone, exploring themes of unity, peace, and the power of collaboration.
Boone advised, “This is maybe the most important thing I’ve ever done,” acknowledging the necessity of clean water for survival.
The song, set to release on March 21, 2025, features an all-star lineup, including Alabama, Vince Gill, Lee Greenwood, Pam Tillis, and more. Proceeds will go toward WorldServe International’s clean water initiatives in Tanzania. Pat and his late wife Shirley Boone’s longstanding commitment to the Maasai people through their family life center and other charitable contributions makes this project deeply personal for him.
Paulina Jayne
Recent Music Spotlight artist Paulina Jayne is now working under the tutelage of Grammy award-nominated artists The War & Treaty. She is a viral TikToker and will release her debut album this year. Paulina has played Live Nation festivals, county fairs, and venues nationwide. She has opened for Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts, Mitchell Tenpenny, Sheryl Crow, and more.
Fresh off the heels of her highly personal “If I Knew Me Then,” single, Jayne brings a more upbeat, “After the Party’s Over,” a somber song that morphs into an anthem.
She advised, “I was taking care of my mother after her recent surgery. I was thinking about all of the epic parties my mom, dad, and I had thrown at our house in Michigan and felt nostalgic for them. By the time the song becomes anthemic, I recreated the feeling you have when the whole group of people is in the room, and you’re just enjoying each other’s company. And you can’t imagine life getting any better.”
Because the avid songwriter has “a ton of new songs,” Jayne aims to release a new song a month. As an artist eager to share her faith, her goal is to point back to hope in everything she writes and releases.
Pryor Baird
I was fortunate to attend Black River Entertainment’s Pryor Baird Opry debut in February of 2024. I have long been a fan of his bluesy vocals, and when he sang, “Beauty In the Broken,” (a tribute to his father’s passing) you could have heard a pin drop.
On February 28th, Baird will release his next single, “The One Left Behind.” The song sounds like a traditional heartbreak country song because that’s what it is. I thought it might be the creation of a group of songwriters, but he informed me that every word was 100% true to his own life experiences.
Baird stated, “I love the sound of a pedal steel guitar that just makes you cry. There were a lot of tears making this song, there were a lot of tears recording this song, and there are a lot of tears singing this song. You can hear it in every note. Heartbreak happens, and sometimes you just don’t have the words. If you’ve had a broken heart, this one’s for you.”
Personally, I think Baird’s, “Beauty In The Broken” is one of the finest country songs ever written. Keep up with everything he does on his website.
Scotty Hasting
Combat Army Veteran (and Music Spotlight artist) known for his soul-stirring songs like “How Do You Choose? ” and “I’m America.” Since I last spoke with him, he was selected as one of the artists to attend the 80-year celebration of D-Day in Normandy, France.
When he first heard the song, “Til The Last Shot’s Fire,” he cried like a baby while recovering at Walter Reed Hospital.
Hasting stated, “Fast forward 10 years, and I’m sitting in the office with one of the guys that co-wrote the song, and he’s like, do you want to do a version of that? And I was like, ‘Are you serious? That song changed everything for me.’ So, we did a version, and I thought it was perfect.”
Then, they sent the song out to see if others wanted to collaborate, and Lee Brice was the first to respond. Then, a few weeks later, Dolly Parton’s people indicated she was interested. Once he heard her version, he pulled over to the side of the road and cried for three more hours.
Now, his goal is to lighten things up a bit, and with a hat/tip to Toby Keith, on March 7th, “Pro Beer” will be released. “It’s all about having a good time and not taking ourselves too seriously,” shared Hasting. I’ve heard the tune, and I know you will want to add this to your collection of party songs.
Skip Ewing
Skip Ewing is a singer/songwriter who started in Nashville but moved to northwestern Wyoming, where he began a spiritual journey and discovered his love for horses. He soon learned that his spiritual journey was connected to his musical journey, and he found his passion for songwriting again.
I featured him last year while promoting his highly acclaimed Road to California record. Kyle Lehning, produced the record and urged him to keep going on his musical journey. The single “Road Dog” has been very popular, especially with avid dog lovers. They will be promoting the song to radio in March.
Since then, a song he wrote in 1996 with Dean Dillion, “Would If I Could,” was recorded by Lainey Wilson and Ernest and has had millions of streams. And while Ewing doesn’t co-write like he used to, he is in a good place mentally and spiritually. His best songwriting may still be yet to come.
Swon Brothers
Oklahoma’s beloved duo, The Swon Brothers, recently released their new EP Imagine Cabin Sessions with five new heartfelt songs that fans love.
Each song is based on their life and what they know, and “Honest Mistake” resonates deeply with fans as they admit falling in love was an honest mistake.
The story behind the writing of “By Now” is a compelling account of losing a very close family friend who taught Colton how to play bass guitar when he was a child.
I wanted to know if “One Good Woman” was about their mother or wives, and found out neither were married. Zach confessed, “I hope it’s about my future wife.”
Colton added, “He’s popping the question tomorrow. But don’t print anything unless she says ‘Yes.’” (she did)
The most moving song on the EP is “Rifle Left Behind,” as they recall hunting with their Granddaddy’s 30/30 rifle that he got in the war.
Colton advised, “It’s the only song ever in our career that we played at a show live, and they made us play it again at the end. And that’s happened twice at two different shows.”
If you want county music that matters, the Swon Brothers are the band for you.
T. Graham Brown
Last year, T. Graham Brown released one of my all-time favorite records in recent memory, From Memphis to Muscle Shoals. One of the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry, Host of SiriusXM’s LIVE WIRE on Prime Country Channel 58, Brown, has teamed up with Lorrie Morgan on selected tour dates. Not only that, but this year also marks the 30th Anniversary of his duet with Tanya Tucker’s “Don’t Go Out With Him,” and October will mark the 40th Anniversary of “I Tell It Like It Used To Be.”
Brown recalled the first time he ever attended CRS forty years ago. “I remember Marty Stewart and I were on the New Faces show the same night. It was at the Opryland Hotel, and we were both not in our right minds. He put on my coat, which swallowed him whole. And I put his coat on, which came halfway up to my elbows. And we both did our New Faces show in each other’s clothes that night. I remember that. But we had a big time.”
Because T. Graham Brown and I are both huge fans of the history of country music, we are thrilled to attend CRS, where history is often made right before our very eyes. Hopefully, the young artists will gain some wisdom from the more mature ones who will also attend.
Taylor Austin Dye
One of the last artists I featured in 2024 was Taylor Austin Dye, who had just released her sophomore album, Sick of Me. In addition to the title track, it featured fan favorites “Rest In Peace,” “Bible Belt,” and a newer single, “Poison In The Well.”
Born and raised in rural Kentucky, Dye is unafraid to sing what she knows. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut on November 9, 2024, which she described as “The best day of my life.”
Since releasing her Sick of Me record, Dye recently signed to Red Street Records. There, she captivates the audience while solidifying her reputation as one of country music’s most promising new voices. Her music is sass on steroids, which is the best compliment I can think of to give.
Timmy McKeever
Rapidly emerging as a rising young talent in the Country music scene, Timmy McKeever has already amassed over 6 million streams, with an impressive 1.4 million coming in just the past month alone. Still in the process of completing his online high school, I was eager to meet the youngster because I knew he is one to watch as he continues on his path to stardom.
His Devis and Angels album has done extremely well, spinning huge hits like “I’ve Known Better” and “Craving You.”
Originally from California, McKeever and his family recently relocated to Nashville, where they support him as he pursues his dream. Droptine Records quickly signed him as they wisely snatched him up before someone else did.
But don’t be fooled by his youth, though he is just 18, he has been playing for nearly 10 years and writes his own music. His songs have mature themes and relate to many who are much older than him.
The rise to stardom doesn’t usually happen this quickly for an artist, but it has for this one, and now the sky is the limit for Timmy McKeever.
Tori Martin
Tori Martin is a favorite on the Texas music scene. She splits her time between Nashville and Fort Worth. Her song “Lost In The Country” went to number one on the Texas Regional Radio Report in 2024, and her single “What Would Dolly Do?” from the Lucky EP has also done well.
Like many in country music, Martin got her start singing in church and, at the age of 19, did a stint on American Idol in 2021. She has also opened for one of country music’s fastest-rising stars, Drew Baldridge.
Martin attended CRS to promote her newest single, “Abeline.” In the song, the picture she paints of the Texas landscape has been turned into a mini-movie and will be available to viewers in mid-March.
Martin will attend and perform at the Texas Regional Radio Music Awards next month and is working on a full-length album for the fall.
Trey Calloway
Trey Calloway is North Carolina-grown and Nashville-based. Like so many in country music, he started singing in church. One of his earliest memories is singing from the Redback Hymnal and sitting in the front row.
He was interested in sports, particularly baseball, and got a job working on a horse farm because a girl rode there, and he wanted to get to know her.
He began writing poetry early on, but he didn’t learn to play guitar until he was 14, and when he did, he could write songs.
Calloway has been in Nashville for three years. His most popular song to date is “Wanted Man,” as in “I always wanted to be a wanted man.” His song “Forgotten Man” is a tribute to farmers, soldiers, and Jesus and a fan favorite. His latest single is “Your Love is Safe With Me.”
Calloway has won Songwriter of the Year at the Texas Country Music Awards, had a music video featured on CMT, been picked up by Spotify editorial playlists, and streamed nearly a million times on Spotify alone. But his biggest dream is to play the Grand Ole Opry.
Follow Trey Calloway on his website and social media pages.
Tyra Madison
One of the biggest voices in country music since Carrie Underwood, Tyra Madison attended CRS again this year. Her biggest hit to date, “Right Girl, Wrong Time,” came in 2020, and since then, she has released electrifying singles like “Plead the Fifth,” Devil’s in the Details,” and “Three Wise Men.”
Her newest single, “Party Girl” is out on February 28. It is a profoundly relatable track that blends vulnerability with empowerment. The song’s poignant lyrics and heartfelt delivery explore the pressure to mask inner pain behind a façade, resonating with listeners who value authenticity in storytelling.
Be sure to follow Tyra Madison on her website and all her socials.
Walker Montgomery
With his rich baritone vocals and swoon-worthy traditional country swagger, Walker Montgomery has been a favorite of mine since I met him. For the current generation, I have dubbed Montgomery the “King of the Country Ballad” as he sings like an artist who is twice his age.
Hailing from one of the most prominent country music families, songs like “Simple Town,” “Things That Break My Heart,” “Lonely For A Livin’,” and “Time Stood Still” give you a glimpse of his life growing up in rural Kentucky.
But he also spent equal time on a tour bus following his dad, John Michael Montgomery, and Uncle Eddie Montgomery throughout the county.
His latest single, “Never Had You Anyway” is a classic country heartbreaker that sways along in a haze of slow-burn acknowledgment and regret as he laments the fact he always knew his true love would go right from the start, but just couldn’t help but fall anyway knowing full well it would lead to goodbye, right from hello.
Walker made his Grand Ole Opry debut late last year, and his pedigree is matched only by his passion for real country music, which draws fans from all age groups.
Will Morton
Will Morton is a musician from Jacksonville, North Carolina, whose journey started as a rock drummer during his teenage years. But after navigating the ups and downs of addiction, heartache, love, and personal growth, he returned to roots, where the passion for country music that his grandparents ignited returned.
The song “Back” is somewhat autobiographical as he talks about returning to where he’s from. The song “Only One I’ve Had” is a tribute to his stepdad and is super special.
Now, his latest single, “Good Ole Boys Don’t Cry,” resonates with men and women alike. The vulnerability he shows is what endears him to his fans.
Morton started writing songs about nine years ago. He has fully embraced country music for about two years now, and with his journey of struggles, getting married, and starting a family, he has something to say.
The former metal band drummer now embraces the classic country he loves and mixes in a little Americana to bring a new vibrant sound to Music City. Watch for his latest record, The Long Way coming soon.
Bethany Writes 