MusicRow Reveals Next Big Thing Artists Class Of 2024
MusicRow is proud to reveal its list of artists who are predicted to become the Next Big Thing (NBT) in 2024. The 10th annual NBT list features 11 artists, who are each profiled in MusicRow‘s latest 2024 Touring & Next Big Thing print issue, which releases today (Dec. 5).
Boasting a stand-out group of rising stars in the country music industry, MusicRow’s Next Big Thing Class of 2024 includes a wide range of talent, diverse in sound, style and level of success. What each artist has in common, though, is extraordinary talent and a passion for today’s ever-evolving country music format. These future superstars will expand the boundaries of country music, carrying the torch of the format both to its loyal fans and into the mainstream.
Single copies of MusicRow’s Touring & Next Big Thing print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
MusicRow Magazine’s 2024 Next Big Thing Artists:
AVERY ANNA
Warner Music Nashville | 33 Creative | WME | self-published | BMI
Singer-songwriter Avery Anna grew up in picturesque Arizona. She started singing at 10 years old, quickly picking up the guitar and piano, but it was via TikTok that Anna began to realize her full potential. Hopping in a bathtub for acoustics, Anna’s videos of her singing blew up overnight. Now with 1.6 million followers and more than 36 million likes, Anna is sharing her own music with the world. She recently released her debut EP Mood Swings, and her Gold-certified “Narcissist” has made a major statement, reaching No. 1 on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown and garnering more than 166 million global streams. Anna has also made an impact with releases such as “Self Love,” “Worst In Me” and “I Will (When You Do)” alongside Dylan Marlowe. The rising star, who has been featured on multiple artists-to-watch lists, is wrapping up her headlining “Treat Yourself Nice Tour,” and has supported Jordan Davis, Cole Swindell and Breland out on the road. Her ear-worm pop-country sound and mastery of vulnerability and connection will undoubtedly bring Avery Anna’s music to more and more fans as time goes on.
ASHLEY COOKE
Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music | Big Loud Management/Back Blocks Music | WME | Big Loud/Back Blocks Music Publishing | BMI
Ashley Cooke has built her fanbase by being unapologetically herself. The Parkland, Florida native wrote her first song at age 11 and moved to Nashville at 18 to attend Belmont University. Unlike many others, however, she did not study music, but after entering the school’s revered Country Showcase on a whim and winning, Cooke decided to give music a real shot for a year. When the pandemic had other plans, Cooke took her pop country sound to TikTok, where her music and bubbly personality began to find a big audience. She has since garnered over 200 million global streams with chart climbing hits like “Never Til Now” with Brett Young and “It’s Been A Year.” Cooke released her debut album Shot In The Dark in July, containing 24 tracks inspired by true tales of love, heartbreak and all the moments in between, such as “Mean Girl” featuring Colbie Caillat and her new radio single “Your Place.” Cooke, who was also voted MusicRow’s 2023 Discovery Artist of the Year at the MusicRow Awards this summer, took on her first-ever headlining tour this fall and will join Jordan Davis on the road in early 2024. Her authentic songwriting chops and hooky country sound will allow Cooke to continue on her rise in the coming year.
JACKSON DEAN
Big Machine Label Group (Big Machine Records) | TKO Artist Management | WME | Little Louder | BMI
Country singer-songwriter Jackson Dean is rising quickly with his lyric-driven, outlaw style of country music. The Maryland native burst on the scene with his atmospheric debut album Greenbroke. Dean’s breakthrough single “Don’t Come Lookin’” was the fastest debut to reach No. 1 in 2022 and cemented him as the youngest solo male country artist to reach the top of the charts with a debut. The rugged music video for the track also earned a nomination at the 2023 CMT Music Awards for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year. Dean’s follow-up single, “Fearless (The Echo),” is currently climbing the top 25 at country radio after being most added upon impact. Dean released his Live At The Ryman album in April, including the fan-favorite track “Heavens to Betsy.” He recently spent time on the road with Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Parker McCollum and Jon Pardi and was nominated for New Male Artist of the Year at the 2023 ACM Awards. Dean will hit the road on his first headlining tour in January on the “Head Full of Noise Tour,” and will also join Lainey Wilson’s “Country Is Cool Again Tour.” Dean’s focus on building fans with his unique artistry will serve him well as he continues blazing his own trail.
COREY KENT
Sony Music Nashville (RCA Nashville) | Triple 8 Management | WME | Combustion Music | BMI
You can find rising singer-songwriter Corey Kent’s music at the intersection of rock infused country, heartland values and red dirt grit. The road warrior has been developing his show for 15 years, but broke out in a big way with the single “Wild As Her.” With nearly 400 million global streams, the exciting track became a Platinum-certified No. 1 hit and garnered Kent a nomination for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year at the 2023 CMT Awards as well as a People’s Country Choice Award nomination for New Artist of 2023. He released his major label debut album, Blacktop, in June. The 10-track album features “Wild As Her,” fan-favorites “Gone as You” and “How You Know You Made It” and current single “Something’s Gonna Kill Me.” Throughout 2023, Kent supported Parker McCollum, Jason Aldean and Ashley McBryde’s tours, as well as played some headlining shows of his own. He will join McCollum again in February. With over 600 million on-demand career streams, Kent has been named to multiple artist-to-watch lists. The hunger from Kent’s growing fanbase will only propel him further into country music stardom.
KAMERON MARLOWE
Sony Music Nashville (Columbia Nashville) | Red Light Management | WME | Sony Music Publishing | BMI
With a sound built around edgy electric twang, smoldering gritty rock and bluesy tenderness, Kameron Marlowe is quickly becoming one of country music’s most exciting new acts. The North Carolina native launched onto the scene with his now Platinum-certified debut “Giving You Up,” which has garnered more than 680 million streams to date. In 2022, Marlowe released his debut album We Were Cowboys, produced by Dann Huff. With “Giving You Up” and his Gold-certified hit “Burn ‘Em All” on the tracklist, the project was one of 2022’s top streaming country albums on Spotify. The country crooner’s talent and rabid fanbase have landed him on multiple artist-to-watch lists. Now Marlowe is beginning his sophomore chapter of music with recent release “Tennessee Don’t Mind,” an ode to his life on the road. He is currently out on his headlining “I Can Lie Tour,” following recent tours with Luke Bryan and Jordan Davis earlier this year. Next year, Marlowe will join Lainey Wilson for the Australian leg of her “Country’s Cool Again Tour.” With his authentically cool niche and powerful voice, Marlowe is undoubtedly one of country music’s next big things.
BRYAN MARTIN
Average Joes Entertainment | Arcade Management | WME | Average ZJS Music Publishing | BMI
Bryan Martin’s story thus far is that of a blue-collared man whose raw talent was finally uncovered. Hailing from the oil fields of Louisiana, Martin lives the stories he writes, and his authenticity is paying off. Released in late 2022, Martin first captured the music industry’s attention with “We Ride,” an outlaw country tune that resonated so well with fans that it now boast over 80 million streams. He’s followed that up with other succesful releases like “Goin For Broke,” “Memory To Drown” and more. Building on albums If It Was Easy and Self Inflicted Scars, Martin dropped his newest album Poets & Old Souls in March, containing the everyman anthem “We Ride.” He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2023, and after opening for artists such as Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert and Warren Zeiders, Martin will join Morgan Wallen for 10 dates on his “One Night At A Time Tour” in 2024. With over 426 million cumulative streams and 750K social media followers, Martin’s true-to-life lyrics and his raw, expressive delivery will continue to earn him more and more fans as he heads into a new year.
CHASE MATTHEW
Warner Music Nashville | Ignition Management | UTA | Ignition/Warner Chappell | BMI
Chase Matthew is on the fast track to becoming one of Nashville’s hottest newcomers. A rare native of Music City, Matthew independently built his career with his infectious personality, rowdy live performances and relatable music. After reaching more than 360 million global career streams with tunes such as the Gold-certified “County Line” and “She Loves Jesus,” Matthew released his 25-track, major-label debut album, Come Get Your Memory, in June. As the follow-up to his breakout project Born For This, Come Get Your Memory includes multiple fan-favorites such as “Make a Memory,” “Moonlight,” “Where There’s Smoke” and “Outlaw Gospel,” as well as Matthew’s steamy single “Love You Again,” which is climbing at country radio and was the most-added debut single release upon impact. On the live front, Matthew recently wrapped his headlining “Come Get Your Memory Tour” following his “Love You Again Tour,” and he made his Grand Ole Opry debut in March. Now with more than 600 million global career streams and more than two million followers across social media, Matthew continues to make waves as one of country music’s buzziest new acts.
MEGAN MORONEY
Sony Music Nashville/Columbia NY (Columbia Nashville) | Punch Bowl Entertainment | UTA | Sony Music Publishing | SESAC
Megan Moroney has become a force to be reckoned with as she has begun to make her mark on country music. The Georgia native’s career took on warp speed with her breakout single “Tennessee Orange.” The song became Moroney’s first No. 1 hit at country radio and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. In 2023, Moroney–who refers to herself as an “emo cowgirl”–released her debut album Lucky, including wry, clever tunes like “Traitor Joe” and “Sleep On My Side” alongside truth-tellers like “Girl In The Mirror.” The project quickly drew major acclaim by the industry and fans alike, and spurred Moroney’s currently-rising single “I’m Not Pretty.” In September, she released a deluxe edition of the album, delivering three new songs to her engaged and hungry fanbase. Moroney was nominated for New Female Artist Of The Year at the 2023 ACM Awards as well as New Artist of the Year and Song of the Year at the CMA Awards. Currently on her sold-out “The Lucky Tour,” Moroney will join Kenny Chesney’s “Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour” next spring. Her sharp penmanship, close attention to aesthetics and undeniable talent have fueled Moroney’s meteoric rise, and her star will only continue to ascend.
JOSH ROSS
Universal Canada/UMG Nashville/The Core Records | The Core Entertainment | The Neal Agency | Warner Chappell | BMI
Canadian-born and Nashville-based singer-songwriter Josh Ross focuses his music on the primary themes of country infused with a fresh, modern sound. Debuting with his independently released ballad “First Taste of Gone,” Ross has built a reputation for writing from personal experiences, causing him to tally more than 240 million streams across his collection of songs. Some fan-favorites of Ross’ include “On A Different Night” and “First Taste of Gone,” as well as his country-rock anthem “Ain’t Doin’ Jack” and the emotional track “Red Flags.” In 2023, Ross garnered his second Top 5 Canadian radio hit with “On A Different Night.” After hitting No. 1 in Canada, Ross is currently climbing the U.S. country radio charts with “Trouble.” On the live front, Ross spent a lot of 2023 on the road with Nickelback and Brantley Gilbert for the “Get Rollin’ Tour,” and he will support Bailey Zimmerman on “Religiously. The Tour.” in 2024. He also made his Grand Ole Opry debut, won Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Country Music Association Awards and landed on multiple artist-to-watch lists. Ross’ unique sound will undoubtedly continue to pull fans in across genres as he heads into the next year.
DYLAN SCHNEIDER
BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records | Neon Coast | WME | Verse 2 Music/Sony Music Publishing | BMI
Dylan Schneider started performing and writing songs at the age of 14. He began to build an audience for his talent when he began posting videos to his Facebook page. When Schneider began to make his own music, he developed his own unique blend of country that merges modern pop sensibilities with a down-home feel. Schneider’s fans and over 1.2 million social media followers have enjoyed popular releases such as “How Does It Sound” and “Right Girl” as well as multiple EPs, banking an upwards of 303 million on-demand streams. After a snippet of Schneider’s newest tune “Ain’t Missin’ You” went viral on social media, the sound racked up more than 119 million TikTok views, 118K user-generated TikTok videos and 30 million on-demand streams, before climbing to No. 3 on TikTok’s Country playlist. Giving into fan demand, the rising country star’s “Ain’t Missin’ You” is currently climbing the country radio charts. To name a few other career highlights, Schneider has toured with Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay, Granger Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny and more, co-wrote Dustin Lynch’s Top 5 hit song “Momma’s House” and scored two RIAA-certified Gold records. With a fanbase with a voracious appetite, Schneider’s star will only continue to rise in 2024.
THE WAR AND TREATY
UMG Nashville (Mercury Nashville) | Strong World Management | UTA | Concord | BMI
The War And Treaty was formed in 2014 by the enormously talented husband and wife Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter. While the electrifying duo has long been respected by their peers in country and Americana music alike, country music fans at large took notice of them with the release of their major label debut album Lover’s Game. Garnering both fan and critical acclaim, Lover’s Game featured The War And Treaty showing off their penmanship, soulful harmonies and unmatched vocal ability on tunes such as “That’s How Love Is Made,” “Blank Page” and the title track. The singers have become in-demand collaborators, including featuring on “Hey Driver” with Zach Bryan. The War And Treaty has been recognized by the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry and Americana Music Association, and recently earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. They have dominated stages across the globe including North America, Europe and Australia, headlining their own shows and opening for a diverse group of living legends. As time goes on, more and more music fans will undoubtedly discover the unmatched talent of The War And Treaty as they continue to impact the country genre.
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