Every year, there are new female artists that start taking some airplay away from the older artists. In 2017, those women included Lauren Alaina, Brooke Eden, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris and others. This year, these ten artists have the potential of blowing up; on radio, in sales, or both! In alphabetical order, here are Queens of Country's Women to Watch for 2018.

TAYLOR ACORN
There are very few people who write catchy pop-country songs better than Taylor Acorn. Acorn has written every song she has released on iTunes so far, including her viral Spotify hit, "Put It In A Song." In November, she signed with Play It Again, and released her Put It In A Song EP with that record label. Her variety is showcased on the EP, from the poppy melodies of "Something Tonight" to the stripped down ballad that is "Seventeen." Even without her incredible knack for writing soon-to-be commercial hits, Acorn's voice is unmatched. Her soft twang, along with her ability to belt like Carrie Underwood create an incredibly appealing combination that will take her far this year.

Sounds like: Beats, banjo and belting
Key tracks: “Put It In A Song,” “Seventeen”

KASSI ASHTON
Kassi Ashton began 2017 with a Creative Nation publishing deal, and she ended 2017 with a joint record deal with Interscope and UMG Nashville. She graduated from Belmont University in Nashville at the end of 2016, and since then, it's just been a matter of time before she achieved major success. Ashton's unique mixture of soul, blues and country doesn't quite fit on country radio, but also has the potential to continue the trend of bringing more soulful songs into the format, a trend that Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton have spearheaded. Her socials and website are teasing new music coming out in January, so be on the lookout for that this year.

Sounds like: Perfect mixture of Lucie Silvas and Maren Morris
Key tracks: "Tumbleweed," "Heart Breaking"

CHEYENNE GOSS
From Newton, Illinois, ​Cheyenne Goss's music has the potnetial of speaking to young women in the way Kelsea Ballerini has over the last couple years. As shown on her debut EP It Is Written, Goss writes catchy and accessible music that speaks of troubles that all young women face in their lives. From "Just Enough," where Goss sings about supporting someone going through a difficult time; to "This Mess,' about a messy, complicated relationship; to "Done," about finally sticking up for yourself, Goss crafted a compelling, beautiful collection of songs for people to turn to in times of trouble. Some of Goss's story is written, but 2018 is going to be her year to continue sharing that story to even larger audiences. 
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Sounds like: If Tori Kelly went country
Key tracks: “Done,” “Just Enough”

I'M WITH HER
Three successful Americana/folk musicians are joining forces this year to create the next great girl group. Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O'Donovan, who have all achieved great success in their own right, make up I'm With Her. Three is better than one, and that's proven through the limited music we've gotten from the group so far, and certainly from what's to come later this year. Their harmonies are pitch-perfect, and their sound recalls a little bit Appalachian bluegrass, a little bit Joni Mitchell, and a little bit Dixie Chicks. See You Around, the group's debut record is set to drop on February 16, 2018.

Sounds like: Bluegrass, folk and country blend
Key tracks: “See You Around,” “Little Lies”

JILLIAN JACQUELINE
Jacqueline has been on the fringe of stardom for years now, ever since she dropped her rootsy debut single, "Overdue" which featured background vocals from legend Vince Gill. 2018 is officially her year, as she dropped Side A late last year, featuring single "Reasons" and other popular songs "Hate Me," "God Bless This Mess" and "Bleachers." She's definitely toes the line between country and pop, so this year it will be interesting to watch which path she decides to take, or if she decides to choose at all. Jacqueline is impossible to label, as her music sits in a league of its own. Country, pop, or not, Jillian Jacqueline is an unmistakable talent.

Sounds like: Unapologetically catchy melodies and carefully crafted lyrics
Key tracks: “Reasons,” “God Bless This Mess”

ASHLEY MCBRYDE
In 2017, Ashley McBryde had the chance to sing her song, "Girl Goin' Nowhere," about the people who told her she would never make it in music, at the Opry. On her Sirius XM The Highway hit, "A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega," she sings, "here's to the breakups that didn't break us." McBryde has emerged this year as the voice for the broken who have come back from rock bottom, and a model for those who want to succeed despite people telling them they never will. With years of songwriting and performing under her belt, there is no one more deserving than Ashley McBryde to have major successthis year. 
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Sounds like: Eric Church crossed with Miranda Lambert
Key tracks: “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega,” “Girl Goin’ Nowhere”
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KIM PAIGE
Classic country is reinvented through the voice of the talented Kim Paige. Her music is country through and through, but it doesn't sound tired or overdone, the way some traditional-leaning country does. Her voice is twangy, but accessible, and her conversational lyrics make her as relatable to young listeners as Taylor Swift was early in her career. The humor in her lyrics also doesn't hurt — it's impossible not to smile at her newest single, "We Need A Wife!" In 2017, she was on the Bobby Bones Show, was featured in the Song Suffragettes cover of "Female," and played countless shows across the country. In 2018, she's going to blow up.
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Sounds like: Nineties country sound on top of 21st century lyrics
​Key tracks: ​"We Need A Wife," "Go Home L.A."

MAGGIE ROSE
​Maggie Rose​'s journey as a musician has been one of the most interesting to watch over the last several years. With an incredible belt and strong songwriting talent, Rose started at a record label and achieved moderate radio success with singles "I Ain't Your Mama" and "Better." Since parting ways with the label in 2015, she's independently released two EPs, three singles, and her most recent release: a digital 45 containing her current Sirius XM The Highway hit, "Pull You Through." Now, she's recording her first full length record since 2013's Cut To Impress live in the studio. The record is set to come out in early 2018, and it's going to be killer.

Sounds like: Maren Morris sass, Chris Stapleton soul and Adele-level vocals
​Key tracks: "Pull You Through," "Just Getting By"

JO SMITH
There's nothing on country radio that sounds quite like Jo Smith, which is what makes her so likely to find major success this year. She was once signed to Columbia Nashville, and released two EPs with that label, but has now reinvented herself as an artist with the help of producer and major supporter Shane McAnally. She released  Introducing Jo Smith in late 2016, featuring four songs that showed off her soulful, country-pop sound and quirky, but clever lyrics. Her single off of that project, "Old School Grove" was named a Sirius XM The Highway find earlier this year. 
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Sounds like: Classic, Motown magic with a country-pop twist
​Key tracks: "Old School Groove," "Queen of Fools"

TIERA
Ever since Tiera posted her first cover on YouTube, it's been inevitable that one day she would blow up. Over the last couple years, she's mastered the art of gaining a social media following by posting mini-covers on Instagram, interacting with fans on Twitter and continuing to post covers on YouTube. 2017 was a big year for her, as she set herself up for an incredibly successful 2018. She took a break from university, moved to Nashville, and recorded multiple songs at AME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Her first release since her 2015 acoustic EP, a single entitled "Wake Up Call," drops on January 5, 2018. 

Sounds like: Carly Pearce's sister, with a little more twang and a lot more soul
​Key tracks: "Wake Up Call," "Out of Sight"

The last year has been a good one for women of country music. But there still isn't a fair representation on radio, and women are making some incredible music that still isn't getting heard like it should be. It's important to acknowledge all of the incredible artists that should and will break out within the next year, on radio, or with killer records. In alphabetical order, here are 10 women you need to know.

BAILEY BRYAN:
Bailey Bryan isn't your typical country singer. She's from Washington state, she has a fondness for Drake, and she sings about breaking her iPhone. But that's what makes her such a perfect candidate to be the next big star: she completely relatable to the younger generation. Hillary Scott, who nominated Bryan for Artist of Tomorrow said that "you just wanna be friends with her." Bryan is bringing all of her flaws, all of her crazy, everything that makes up who she is into her music, and into her debut single "Own It." Bryan is 300 Entertainment's first-ever country artist. and with the backing of Scott and Bobby Bones along with her unique approach to country music, Bailey Bryan is a name you will be seeing a lot in 2017.
Sounds like: Sweet vocals, quirky lyrics, and catchy pop-country production
Key tracks: "Own It," "Hard Drive Home"

CAITLYN SMITH:
​After living in Nashville for years and writing for other artists, Smith fully threw herself into the idea of becoming an artist last year. "You won't burn out this starfire" she sings on the title track of her latest EP, Starfire. Smith completely ignored what Nashville has been telling all new artists when creating her latest music. She's not poppy, she's not singing truck songs, and she's not copying any other artist. She's being herself. That approach paid off last year, and it continues to bring her success. Smith is not only a hell of a songwriter; she also has an indescribably powerful voice. When her album is released next year, it's safe to say that people will be running to buy it.
Sounds like: Soulful vocals and emotion pouring out of every lyric and every note
Key tracks: "Before You Called Me Baby," "Starfire"

THE CHURCH SISTERS:
If you search up The Church Sisters on YouTube, the top hit will be their cover of "7 Years," the monster pop hit by Lukas Graham. This might seem like an odd choice of a cover for a traditional country duo with roots in bluegrass, but maybe that was the point. The girls transformed the pop song into a country song, and sang it like it was their story, and like they wrote it. And this cover is only the beginning of what these twin sisters from Virginia can and will do. Sarah and Savannah, known as the Church Sisters, signed a record deal with Valory Music last year, a branch of Big Machine Label Group. Working on their debut record now, this duo has the potential to bring some old school flair back into mainstream country music, and they will.
Sounds like: Youthful harmonies with heavy influence of old-school country
Key tracks: "7 Years," "Radio Silence"

DANIELLE BRADBERY:
​Three years ago, Bradbery released her debut record. It was a good record, but it was full of songs written by other people and not songs that necessarily defined Bradbery as an artist. But Bradbery has been writing, and after a long 2016 of fans thinking she would put an album out, she didn't. But 2017 is sure to be the year. "Potential" is a new song of hers that getting a lot of attention, as it is one of the best songs to come out of Nashville in the last year. The little teenage girl in cowboy boots singing songs to a fiddle playing in the background is in the past: Bradbery is now experimenting with soulful vocals and some sounds that aren't quite country. But there is a reason Bradbery won The Voice. She has talent, and it's not going to go to waste.
Sounds like: Soul-country vocals on top of pop-country production
Key tracks: "Potential," "Sway"

ELIZABETH HUETT:
​It used to be, that when you mentioned Elizabeth Huett, Taylor Swift fans would know who she was. But soon, Elizabeth Huett will be known for her music, and her incredible talent, rather than her connection to the biggest pop star on the planet. In the March of 2016, Huett announced that she had signed with Interscope Records Nashville. Her debut album is on the way, and if/when it drops in 2017, she's going to be making waves. A taste of her music and sound can be found on her SoundCloud page, and she's got this really cool pop/country vibe going on. With personal honest songwriting like in "Dad Like Mine," and pop hooks like in "What You Do To Me,' Huett has the potential to be the next big thing. 
Sounds like: Country Michelle Branch with Swift-level songwriting
Key tracks: "Blessed are the Broken Hearted," "Dad Like Mine"

LAUREN JENKINS:
As Americana-influenced music continues to make its way into mainstream country, Lauren Jenkins is another name to add to the list of artists meshing the two genres. On Jenkins's debut EP, our second best EP of last year, Jenkins mixes her Americana and country roots with some bluesy and rocky influences to create a completely new type of contemporary country music. The EP contains a wide variety of songs, but the project as a whole remains cohesive. A Mötley Crüe song, "Looks That Kill" made its way onto the record, with Jenkins reinventing the heavy metal song into a delicate, but edgy country song, along with another cover and four originals. Look out for her song, "My Bar," as it is destined to be a hit.
Sounds like: ​If Jewel brought some of her "Serve The Ego" attitude into modern  country music
​Key tracks: "Blood," "My Bar"

PARKER MCKAY:
​From the bluesy piano on "Flip," and the pop rock elements in "Under the Rug," it's obvious Parker McKay isn't your typical country artist. She's got incredible vocals and is a great writer, but what really stands out is her rocky sound. Parker McKay is bringing the rock edge back into country music, but not in the in-your-face Jason Aldean kind of way. McKay is confident and powerful, but she's got just the right amount of humble in her music to make it appealing and endearing. The side of her saying "I wanna be on the cover of Rolling Stone" is matched with "I can't walk away without knowing I tried," proving that she has big dreams, but she's willing to work for them. If hard work and dedication are what determines success, McKay will succeed.
Sounds like: Spunky, rocky, fresh take on contemporary country
Key tracks: "Rolling Stone," "Call It Off"

POST MONROE:
​Whitney Duncan's lead vocals along with Ashlee Hewitt and Shelby McLeod's killer harmonies make up Post Monroe. Their EP and thier music in general represent the best of country music. They speak about where they came from on "Dixie Dust," and they write about their lives and what real love can be like on "Hell On Me," And yes, they talk about letting go and having a little fun, in "Red Hot American Summer." But what makes Post Monroe such rising stars is that they know balance. They have just the right amount of country in their music, but also some pop, rock and soul mixed in. They write about the struggles of living, but also embrace what makes life great. Post Monroe is a trio striving to tell stories about real life, the good and the bad.
Sounds like: Uptempo and soulful with killer harmonies
Key tracks: "Red Hot American Summer," "Hell On Me"

RUNAWAY JUNE:
One of the most clever lyrics of 2016 was from Runaway June's first single, "Lipstick": "You better love somebody who ruins your lipstick, not your mascara​." The lyric was so clever, but also such an obvious lesson for life: love someone who makes you happy, not someone who makes you cry. That's what Runaway June is so good at: taking tired, old topics for songs, and recreating and remaking them so it sounds brand new. The three women who make up Runaway June, Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland, and Jennifer Wayne, have embraced an old school country sound, and have even suceeded in bringing that sound to radio last year. And I'm betting that we're going to hear a lot more of them on the radio in 2017.
Sounds like: Rootsy production, three part harmony, and honest storytelling
​Key tracks: "Lipstick," "Wild West"

WARD THOMAS:
British duo Ward Thomas had a killer 2016, with their first ever all-genre No. 1 in the UK with their second record Cartwheels. From a more traditional debut, From Where I Stand, came a more pop-country oriented sophomore album, but it's worked and these girls have become more popular than ever. With their tight harmonies and great lyrics, these twins bring a unique British perspective into an American music tradition. From spins on classic country themes like "Cartwheels" and "Guilty Flowers," and pop inspired empowerment anthems like "Carry You Home," Cartwheels covers Nashville fads as well as embracing country traditions, with Ward Thomas emerging as a major star from just across the pond.
Sounds like: ​Country-pop from a British perspective
​Key tracks: "Guilty Flowers," "Carry You Home"

The "Women to Watch" or Princesses of Country, are exceptional female talents in country music who we expect to make a rather large impact on country music in the next year or so. Follow and download the music of these 10 women, because someday they're all going to be superstars. In alphabetical order, here are 10 names to know.

AUBRIE SELLERS: 
Aubrie Sellers is the daughter of Lee Ann Womack and songwriter Jason Sellers, but she is making her own way in the country music world. Her debut record, New City Blues, will be released January 29, and with the success of her song "Losing Ground," it is sure to garner some attention. The three singles released from the album already show Sellers's traditional leaning sound and her exceptional songwriting ability. If Sellers had been a potential breakout artist last year, it would have seemed impossible that she would have ever had a shot at radio airplay. But with "Burning House' and Chris Stapleton rising up the charts, Sellers could just be the next unexpected country radio darling.
Key tracks: "Losing Ground," "Loveless Rolling Stone"

BROOKE EDEN:
This year, in 2016, Brooke Eden is set to release her first single to country radio ever, The song, "Daddy's Money" is a perfect representation of her as an artist, and as a person. Eden was born in Florida, to hardworking blue-collar parents, as it says in her brand new song. In this country rock track, Eden's vocals are the star of the show, (as they always are, because her vocals are flawless) while she emphasizes that she is not where she is today because her parents bought her way in. She's here because she's worked hard. And she certainly has, signing with Red Bow Records, a part of Broken Bow in October of 2014, and now finally releasing her first single as a signed artist.
Key tracks: "Daddy's Money," "American Dreamin'"

CARLY PEARCE:
Carly Pearce had an incredible 2015. Her single "Blame the Whiskey" was named a 'Highway Find' on the Sirius XM station 'The Highway,' she debuted at the Grand Ole Opry, she was named one of CMT's 'Next Women of Country,' signed a publishing deal with BMG Nashville, as well as gaining fans and praise from many different media outlets. Her debut EP was released, and although the collection lacked direction, it shows that she could go in any direction in the future, whether that be the more traditional leaning country, the straight up country pop, or the more rocky tunes. Pearce has a powerful and memorable voice, and a versatile sound that sounds like something that should be on the radio, and hopefully will be in 2016.
Key tracks: "Blame the Whiskey," "Wasn't That Drunk (with Josh Abbott Band)"

HAILEY WHITTERS:
Carnival Music songwriter Hailey Whitters broke rules and brought back older country sounds with her debut album Black Sheep in 2015. She is truly the black sheep of women in country music. She's unafraid to be herself, and her sound and lyrics are different from any other woman in the industry. Many young rising stars add unnecessary pop elements to their music and write bro-country songs in order to get airplay, but Whitters isn't like that. She's not afraid to be country, and write about what means something to her. In a rising star, that's a pretty rare quality, but in a rising woman in country music, it's almost unheard of. Her talent is obvious and exceptional, and it seems evident that 2016 is going to be the year when more people discover her and recognize her music.
Key tracks: "Black Sheep," "Low All Afternoon"
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KALIE SHORR: 
​Country singer/songwriter Kalie Shorr is releasing her first single to iTunes in four years this January: the female empowerment anthem "Fight Like A Girl." Co-written with fellow Song Suffragettes Lena Stone and Hailey Steele, the unapologetic country rock reaction track to Keith Hill's "tomato" comments about women in country music is sure to turn some heads. Shorr partnered with Song Suffragettes and the movie Suffragette for the video, released New Year's Eve. Her unique sound and voice, her feminist viewpoint on country music, and her unwavering devotion and dedication to her craft make Shorr one of the most deserving artists on this list to have an incredibly successful 2016.
Key tracks: "Fight Like A Girl," "Class of 2000"

​MAREN MORRIS:
Maren Morris is one of the only artists that will be on virtually every 'country artist to watch' list. Morris began to blow up this fall, with "My Church' reaching over 4 million streams on Spotify (and 80's Mercedes reaching over 1 million) , a record deal with Sony, and her beginning to open up for almost every big name in the industry, including Little Big Town, Loretta Lynn, and Charles Kelley, who she will continue to open for in 2016.  Her sound that is not exactly country, but it's not completely not country, whatever the meaning of 'country music' will be in 2016. The combination of her wry songwriting voice and pop friendly sound will take her single "My Church," and her music to great heights.
Key tracks: "My Church," "I Wish I Was"

MARY SARAH:
Mary Sarah is already known by the legends — she did a cover album of all the country classics, but as duets with the artists themselves in 2014! But she isn't known widely in mainstream country music quite yet, but 2016 is set to be a true breakout year for her. Mary Sarah is unlike many of her women in country music peers, she isn't an artist on the fast track to pop stardom. She has pop influences, but it's clear she's a country artist, and wants to stay a country artist. Her second collection of original songs, titled Dress Up This Town was released in 2015, and was classy contemporary country, as well as an amazing collection of songs. She's young and talented, and country. What more could you ask for?
Key tracks: "Dress Up This Town," "There Goes That Memory Again"

MEGAN & LIZ
The pop-turned-country duo of twin sisters Megan and Liz Mace are set to release their second country EP next year. Ever since the release of their debut country EP, Simple Life, they have released a string of singles, each one better than the one before it. Last year they had some great successes, including being nominated for the Teen Choice Award for Best Country Song with their most recent single "That Ghost," and continuing their work with My Country Nation. But with new music ready to be released and more experience in the country music industry under their belt, this duo is ready to take country music by storm in 2016.
Key track: "Big Kids," "That Ghost"
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MORGAN MYLES:
Morgan Myles is soulful at heart, and it shows up prominently in her vein of country music. Myles classifies her music as 'country soul' and with its limited country instrumentals, it fits that description. The Chris Stapleton mashed with Carrie Underwood sound incorporates equal parts country and pop/soul music. Myles released her single "Whiskey Dreaming" last year, the video premiering on CMT, and catching the attention of many media outlets and people in the industry. Her six song debut country EP, featuring that song, will be released on January 8. Myles's unique contemporary country blend is sure to be a topic of conversation very soon, with soul music having such an impact on country music in 2015.
Key tracks: "Whiskey Dreaming," "Nobody Better Than You"
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RAINEY QUALLEY:
The contemporary alt-country pop/rock sounds of Rainey Qualley are instantly identifiable. Her song "Turn Me On Like The Radio" made it's way up the Sirius XM The Highway charts this year, but Qualley's single "Me and Johnny Cash" is set to be her true breakout. Qualley is country, but in the loosest sense of the term, since there are so many other influences obvious in her songs. Her debut EP Turn Down the Lights was released in 2015, and it contained some upbeat songs, but the ones that stood out the most were the ballads, that were haunting and mysterious, and highlighted Qualley's deep soulful vocals the most. Qualley is an artist that is one of the best examples of where country music could and should go in the future.
Key track: "Me and Johnny Cash," "Never Mine"

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