If you're anything like me, you consider country music to be a way of life. Country music soothes your soul. You could close your eyes, and it'd take you home. Over a year ago now, I discovered this good-lookin' man who had a beautiful voice and a lot of talent. His name was Sam Hunt, and I swore to everyone that he would be "the next Luke Bryan." I don't really hate to say this, but I told y'all. Look at him now! Since discovering him and watching his fame grow, I've had a passion for looking up unknown artists, listening to their EPs and getting their names out there. In the past year, I've been following these artists on Twitter and trying to keep up with their latest music. This is in no way an "official" list of the top 10 country artists you need to check out. However, it is MY list and I highly suggest you take my word on this and consider looking up these artists and their latest music/my favorite songs.
1. Blaire Hanks
Twitter: @BlaireHanks
Stop what you're doing right now and buy this EP. This guy right here, mark my words, will be the next one to be in the spotlight. I've been listening to his music for a while now, and the four songs on "Her" are, by far, the best I've heard.
2. Chris Lane
Twitter: @iamchrislane
It was recently announced that Chris Lane will be on The Hell Of A Night tour with Dustin Lynch! How exciting! I love the sound of his music. Songs like "Broken Windshield View" are the ones that can take me back home. He was also on Rolling Stones' 10 New Country Artists You Need To Know: Summer 2015.
3. Ricky Young
Twitter: @RickyYoungMusic
"Let The Whiskey Do The Talking" is his latest single. It was released on iTunes in April 2015. I promise, if you love that Sam Hunt/Chase Rice sound, you're going to want to buy this. Look it up.
4. Clark Manson
Twitter: @ClarkManson
This was an artist I found and followed on Twitter last year. I had the opportunity to see him in concert when he was opening up for Chase Rice and Sam Hunt at a county fair in Ohio. It was ironically the same town he grew up in, so it was definitely a cool experience. Unfortunately, I didn't know his songs very well at the time, so I couldn't sing along. However, you can count on me screaming his lyrics next time I see him in concert.
5. Dylan Scott
Twitter: @DylanScottCountry
Who's the babe in the cover photo? You're looking at him. Talk about heart eye emojis. I fell in love with this artist when I was scrolling through Facebook one day and saw a video for his cover of "Thinking Out Loud." I decided to check out some of his own music, and I swear I love him more every time I hear him sing. He's recently been uploading his newest songs he's been working on every Thursday and I'm getting so excited for them to be available on iTunes. Check out Dylan Scott's "STRIPPED" on YouTube in the meantime.
6.Tasji Backman
Twitter: @tasjibachman
I refused to write an article about rising country music artists without putting a woman on the list. Women in country music are SO underrated. Kelsea Ballerini was an artist I followed for a while before she came out with her first album. I've been searching for the next Kelsea and this is her, folks. Her EP "Win Me Over" was released on iTunes on Aug. 7. Buy it now!
7. Tyler Rich
Twitter: @TylerRichMusic
I recently just discovered this artist. I was hooked when I heard the first song on his recent EP, "Valerie," which was released on iTunes just this week. Not to mention his beautiful face and tattoos... He'll steal your heart, ladies.
8. Logan Mize
Twitter: @LoganMize
Logan Mize has a true country sound to his songs. His most recent EP was released on iTunes in May 2015. I suggest buying it and listening to... well, all five songs. However, my personal favorites are "Can't Get Away From A Good Time" and "What I Love About You."
9. Michael Ray
Twitter: @Michaelraymusic
Michael Ray's EP was literally JUST released on iTunes August 7. "Kiss You In The Morning" is his most popular song right now, but I have to say my personal favorite of his is "Real Men Love Jesus" because, well, it's about time we get a song like that. Well said, Michael Ray. Men who love country music and Jesus get extra bonus points.
10. Logan Wojcik
Twitter: @Logan_Wojcik
You may not have heard of this artist. If you live in West Virginia, however, you definitely have heard of him. If you haven't, you're missing out. One of my good friends told me about this guy from her hometown because she knew I loved discovering new country artists. He may not have very many songs available at this moment, but if you listen to "Summertime Looks Good On You," you can take a pretty good guess that he will climb his way to the spotlight one day and he'll have the song of the summer.
