Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 37th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Breakthrough Artist of the Year category.

This category honors a Nashville artist who achieved significant career progress for the first time.

This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.

Fresh off the release of her sophomore album Let Go Letters, Avery Anna has been connecting with fans in a unique way. The project is tailored around real situations Anna’s fans have shared with her during her “Let Go Letters” series on tour. The sophomore project came less than a year after her 17-track debut album Breakup Over Breakfast, which earned critical acclaim across multiple outlets. Both projects are completely co-written by Anna, showcasing her success as an artist and writer. Anna has been named an Artist to Watch by Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, MusicRow and CMT. Anna’s first breakthrough moment was her 2022 viral hit “Narcissist,” leading her to her 2023 CMT Music Awards Breakthrough Artist of the Year nomination. Anna is currently climbing up the streaming and radio charts with the Sam Barber duet “Indigo.” The viral hit has amassed more than 450 million global streams. Anna is spending the summer opening for Luke Bryan and Brad Paisley, and will embark on her headline “Let Go Letters Tour” this fall.

Before moving to Nashville in 2019, Ella Langley cut her teeth gigging around bars and festivals in her home state of Alabama. After a few years in Music City, her 2023 debut EP Excuse The Mess introduced fan-favorite singles and set the stage for her breakout. In August 2024, she released her debut album Hungover, co-writing all 14 tracks and giving fans a raw look into her story. The project earned praise from The New York Times and Rolling Stone, landing on both outlets’ “Best of 2024” lists. Its standout track, “You Look Like You Love Me” featuring Riley Green, marked Langley’s Billboard Hot 100 debut and her first No. 1 on country radio, making her the first and one of only two women to top the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2024. The Platinum-certified hit also earned CMA and ACM honors, including Musical Event and Single of the Year. After opening for acts like Morgan Wallen and Luke Bryan, Langley sold out her first headline tour in 2024 and is currently back on the road, supporting Wallen and Green this summer.

The Red Clay Strays, comprised of Brandon Coleman (lead vocals, guitar), Drew Nix (electric guitar, vocals, harmonica), Zach Rishel (electric guitar), Andrew Bishop (bass) and John Hall (drums), were formed in 2016 in Mobile, Alabama. Their breakthrough single “Wondering Why” has amassed more than 75 million streams, and hit No. 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 USA Playlist. The tune also spent six weeks atop the Americana Singles chart, and made appearances on Billboard’s Hot 100, Hot Rock Songs, AAA chart and Hot Country Songs charts. Their Moment of Truth album hit No. 2 on the Americana Albums Chart and received critical acclaim. As fans flock to their electric live shows, the band wrapped up their headline tour last fall, which included a three night sold-out run at the Ryman Auditorium. Alongside making their Opry debut last year, they have also opened for Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Elle King and Old Crow Medicine Show. Their 2024 album Made By These Moments include hit tracks such as “Wanna Be Loved,” “I’m Still Fine” and “Drowning.”

Following the release of his debut project Cold Beer & Country Music last year, Zach Top has been non stop proving himself. The album was named on several best of year-end lists, including Rolling Stone, Billboard and The New York Times. The project included his first No. 1 hit at country radio, “I Never Lie,” as well as fan-favorites “Bad Luck” and “Sounds Like The Radio.” Top spent the summer/fall of last year supporting Lainey Wilson, and kicked off 2025 on his headlining “Cold Beer & Country Music Tour.” The tour sold out within hours of tickets going on sale. Alongside Wilson, he has also opened up for Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam and Billy Strings Top was also crowned ACM New Male Artist of the Year in April. He will release his next album, Ain’t In It For My Health, in August, continuing to build his fast-growing fan base.

Tucker Wetmore has been spotted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart throughout the year with his breakthrough singles “Wine Into Whiskey” and “Wind Up Missin’ You,” both now RIAA Platinum certified. The two tracks also had a hand in helping Wetmore amass 1 billion streams in just over a year. He released his debut EP Waves On A Sunset last year and also made two appearances on the Twisters soundtrack with “Already Had It” and “Steal My Thunder.” Making his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2024, Wetmore also spent time on the road supporting Kameron Marlowe and Luke Bryan, before embarking on his sold-out debut headline tour. To kick off 2025, Wetmore notched more headline shows across the UK, U.S. and Europe. He is currently on Thomas Rhett’s “Better In Boots Tour” as direct support. Wetmore was also nominated for ACM New Male Artist of the Year this year, and released his debut album What Not To. He has earned nods on Artists To Watch lists from Billboard, MusicRow, Vevo, Spotify, the Grand Ole Opry and more.

Since making his mark on Music City, Warren Zeiders has garnered 3.6 billion career streams, 2 billion TikTok views, and averages 7.9 million monthly Spotify listeners. Last year, Zeiders took home the Breakthrough Male Music Video of the Year at the CMT awards and was nominated for two People’s Choice Country Awards. Zeiders was also featured on the blockbuster Twisters soundtrack with “The Cards I’ve Been Dealt,” and notched his first No. 1 country radio single with the RIAA 2x Platinum “Pretty Little Poison.” The hit was also the second most played song on country radio in 2024. Zeiders kicked off 2025 with the release of his 21-track Relapse, Lies, & Betrayal. The project was featured on NPR, GQ, Cowboys & Indians, Forbes and more. He has also made the rounds on network television, with performances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Kelly Clarkson Show. He recently wrapped his first ever European tour before headlining Houston Rodeo, and is currently on his 30-date “Relapse Tour.” He will stay busy through the end of the year with his “Relapse, Lies, & Betrayal Tour” kicking off in the fall.

Nate Smith. Photo: Kaiser Cunningham

Nate Smith has earned his fourth No. 1 single with “Fix What You Didn’t Break.” The song follows Smith’s “Whiskey On You,” “World on Fire” and “Bulletproof,” all of which went No. 1 and earned Platinum certifications.

Smith co-wrote the single alongside Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips and Lindsay Rimes, who also produced the track.

“In case you guys didn’t know the impact of what sharing a song can make on an artist and his career… y’all are changing not only my life but everyone around me. Sorry for the waterworks but I couldn’t control it. I’m too overwhelmed with thankfulness and relief. THANK YOU, COUNTRY RADIO!!!!!!!!! SO MUCH!” Smith shared in an emotional video post on Instagram. “To my family at Sony Music Nashville, my team who is touring with me, the songwriters, my management The Core Entertainment, and to my fans… there will never be enough ‘thank yous’ I could give you guys. Without you, every one of you, showing up every day for me… we wouldn’t be here today. I’m overwhelmed today.”

Smith recently released his newest track “Dads Don’t Die” around Father’s Day, as part of a very special two-pack. In addition to the original, it boasted a bonus version featuring Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Emily Weisband, who he co-wrote the track with. He is currently serving as direct support on Jason Aldean’s “Full Throttle Tour” through fall.

Pictured (L-R): Darin Murphy, CAA; Karen Schillinger, CAA; Preston Brust, LOCASH; Chris Lucas, LOCASH; Skip Bishop, Galaxy Label Group. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

LOCASH, the duo comprised of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, have signed with CAA for exclusive representation in all areas.

The two have collected a pocket full of hits since beginning their career, including “I Love This Life,” “I Know Somebody” and “One Big Country Song.” Their most recent chart topper “Hometown Home” was the pair’s first No. 1 single out of their own Galaxy Label Group. The two-week No. 1 was co-penned by Brust, Lucas, Zach Abend and Andy Albert, with production by Jacob Rice.

“The energy that Darin [Murphy] and CAA are bringing to our new chapter is exciting, inspiring and contagious,” LOCASH shares. “They rolled up their sleeves on day one and have already made a big impact on our touring. Darin is one of those top-notch names that’s seen it all and worked with the biggest artists in our industry, so to have him behind the wheel of our touring has our whole team feeling grateful and ready to rock.”

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 37th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Discovery Artist of the Year category.

This category honors a Nashville developing artist who has demonstrated the most promise of future success during the eligibility period.

This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.

Watkinsville, Georgia native Gavin Adcock began releasing music in 2021 after a knee injury paused his time as a football player at Georgia Southern University. During recovery, he shifted focus to songwriting and recording, independently building a catalog that has since amassed over 1 billion global streams. His breakout track “A Cigarette” is RIAA Platinum-certified, while “Run Your Mouth,” “Deep End” and “Four Leaf Clover” have each earned Gold status. In 2024, Adcock released his major-label debut album Actin’ Up Again, which became the largest country debut by a solo male artist that year, earning over 15 million U.S. streams in its first week and marking the year’s top streaming debut in the genre. His next full-length project, Own Worst Enemy, is set for release on Aug. 15, 2025. Over the past year, Adcock has sold out headline tours across the U.S., including the “Monster Energy Outbreak Tour” and the “Need To Tour.” He also joins Morgan Wallen on select dates of the “I’m The Problem Tour,” alongside scheduled festival appearances and new headline shows through the end of 2025.

Hailing from the small town of Hull, Georgia, Mackenzie Carpenter is the spunky girl-next-door who grew up writing songs with her brothers and singing in church. Raised on a foundation of family, faith and music, she developed a warm, authentic voice that blends classic country roots with a modern edge. Before stepping into the spotlight as an artist, Carpenter made her mark as a songwriter, penning standout cuts like Megan Moroney’s “I’m Not Pretty,” “Indifferent” and “28th of June,” as well as Lily Rose’s breakout track “Villain.” After signing with The Valory Music Co. in 2022, she earned industry attention from Spotify, CMT, MusicRow and Nashville Briefing as an artist to watch. She’s opened for Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Parker McCollum and more. On March 7, Carpenter released her debut album Hey Country Queen, a 13-track project she co-wrote in full. Featuring fan-favorite singles like “Dozen Red Flags” and the Midland duet “I Wish You Would.” Most recently, she joined Moroney on select dates of her “Am I Okay? Tour.”

Originally from North Carolina, Carter Faith relocated to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. Since making the move, she has accumulated over 117 million global streams. In 2024, she signed with UMG Nashville (now MCA). Her debut album, Cherry Valley, is set for release this October, following the 2023 launch of her Capitol Records Nashville debut, The Aftermath EP. Faith has performed alongside notable acts including Little Big Town, Keith Urban, and Willie Nelson. Most recently, she wrapped dates with Ella Langley and Carly Pearce. She was recognized on MusicRow’s Next Big Thing and All Country News’ Artists to Watch lists for 2025. Her industry momentum is further reflected in her inclusion in CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2023 and Listen Up Class of 2024 campaigns. She also became the first country artist ever featured in Spotify’s multi-genre Fresh Finds program, an early indicator of her wide-ranging impact and cross-genre potential.

Dylan Gossett began writing and recording music as a teenager, using GarageBand on his mom’s computer. Throughout high school, college at Texas A&M and a job at Formula 1 Racing, music remained his true passion. Inspired by a new wave of online singer-songwriters, he began posting videos in April 2023. His debut single, “To Be Free,” which was entirely self-written, recorded, produced, and mixed in his bedroom, arrived that June. A month later, his breakout song “Coal” went viral and has since racked up over 428 million streams, gone Platinum in multiple countries, and landed on the Billboard Hot 100 and Spotify’s U.S. Top 200. In October 2023, Gossett released his first EP No Better Time, earning critical acclaim and followed that with his 2024 EP Songs In The Gravel. He’s sold out multiple headline tours, supported Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen, and played top festivals like Stagecoach and CMA Fest. Now, his self-written and produced debut album Westward, which released July 18, marks a bold new chapter.

Blending traditional country storytelling with a modern sound, Dylan Marlowe is a Sony Music Nashville artist from Statesboro, Georgia. Influenced by a wide range of artists from Eric Church and Kenny Chesney to Linkin Park and Blink-182, Marlowe brings a genre-blurring approach to his songwriting and production. He first gained attention in 2021 with a reimagined cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license,” drawing over half a million followers on TikTok. Since then, he’s released self-penned projects including Record High and Dirt Road When I Die, and co-wrote Jon Pardi’s No. 1 hit “Last Night Lonely.” In 2025, Marlowe earned his first No. 1 at country radio with “Boys Back Home” (featuring Dylan Scott), which he co-wrote with Seth Ennis and Joe Fox. The track is RIAA Gold-certified. His debut album Mid-Twenties Crisis followed, contributing to over 400 million global streams to date. Marlowe has supported artists like Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell, Hardy, and Brantley Gilbert, steadily building a fanbase through consistent touring and a sound that bridges country tradition with rock-influenced edge.

Hudson Westbrook hails from Stephenville, Texas, raised on George Strait, Turnpike Troubadours, Parker McCollum, Koe Wetzel, and Tracy Lawrence. After making waves with his viral 2024 debut “Take It Slow,” he quickly followed with a series of grassroots hits while enrolled at Texas Tech University. His breakout Texas radio single “Two Way Drive” topped charts, followed by his first national country radio single “House Again.” Blending the classic country he grew up on with his own fresh perspective, Westbrook delivers a sound that’s both nostalgic and new. His debut album Texas Forever, a 17-track project that arrived July 25, captures that vision in full. In just one year, Westbrook has amassed nearly 500 million global streams and averages over 20 million streams per week. He kicked off 2025 with two nearly sold-out headline tours and upcoming support slots for Parker McCollum, Midland, Eli Young Band, Cole Swindell, and Ian Munsick. Named a Highway Find by SiriusXM and a top 2025 Artist to Watch by Spotify, Westbrook is taking Texas country far beyond state lines.