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"
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"
Photo by Joseph Llanes
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'"
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)"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
LISTEN:
