Spotify Reveals 2023 Country Artists To Watch, Exec. Rachel Whitney Gives Insight

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Spotify has been rolling out its Artist To Watch campaign throughout the week, revealing its predictions for the stars of 2023.

On Thursday (Jan. 12), Hot Country, Spotify’s flagship country music playlist, revealed the roster of emerging country artists who they predict to take the scene by storm in 2023.

Hot Country’s 2023 Artists To Watch include Avery Anna, Dylan Marlowe, Ella Langley, Ernest, 49 Winchester, Jackson Dean, Josh Ross, Megan Moroney, Restless Road and Tanner Adell.

Anna, a Nashville singer-songwriter, is most known for her 2022 single “Narcissist.” Marlowe appeared on the scene with his viral remake of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License” and has since been making waves with his breakup track “Goodbye Gets Around.”

Langley has been impressing with her unique blend of country and rock on “Country Boy’s Dream Girl,” while 49 Winchester is a Virginia-based group known for its unique brand of alt-country, rock-n-roll and folk.

Ernest built on his success as a country songwriter in the last year with his very successful collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “Flower Shops.” Dean also hit it big with his outlaw country song, “Don’t Come Lookin’,” which was recently featured in Yellowstone.

Ross, a Canadian singer-songwriter, hit the top of the charts up north this past year with his singles “First Taste of Gone” and “On a Different Night.” Moroney became a viral sensation with “Tennessee Orange” and recently released her debut EP Pistol Made of Roses.

Restless Road built on the success of their collaboration with Kane Brown, “Take Me Home,” with the release of “Growing Old With You.” Adell is bringing a new vibe to country music with her dance-worthy singles “Country Girl Commandments” and “Honky Tonky Heartbreak.”

Of the 10 artists Spotify has highlighted, Nashville Head of Editorial Rachel Whitney says that this list represents a wide range of country music that has performed well on Spotify.

“As we came back in full force last year, it became even clearer that there is no one style that encompasses country music today,” Whitney tells MusicRow. “Our Hot Country Artists To Watch encompass a wide range of sounds and influences. The music they’re creating, and the connection they’re making with fans, is broader than ever and we are thrilled for fans to hear these exciting artists in 2023 and beyond.

“Each of the artists on our list this year has forged their own path to success,” she continues. “For example, Megan Moroney released a viral smash with ‘Tennessee Orange,’ 49 Winchester has built loyal listeners through dedicated time on the road, Dylan Marlowe originally caught our attention with a unique cover, and Ernest broke into the artist arena after years of writing hit songs behind-the-scenes. Several of the artists on this list found success through our Fresh Finds Country playlist, like Tanner Adell who played our Fresh Finds stage at CMA Fest last summer and blew everyone away. The one thing they all have in common is that our Hot Country listeners love their music!”

As for 2023, Whitney says she expects the spectrum of country music to only get wider.

“Country music has expanded into a mix of different sounds over the years, and the doors are open to new artists in ways they haven’t been before. I’m looking forward to hearing artists and producers integrate more of the cutting edge sounds they like, and likewise hearing others get back to their roots and slimming down production, as long as they’re getting music out the door in the way that is most authentic to them. Fans on Spotify are here for all of it, and I am sure we’ll continue to program a wide variety of songs on Hot Country to great success.”

LB Cantrell
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