2018 has been an awesome year in country music, and we're here to celebrate!
There are people out there that will tell you they can't stand the direction that the genre is taking, or they have stopped listening to country music because they don't like what's being played on the radio.
To those people I would say this, look harder, use the internet, find great artists making fantastic music that you do like, and share the hell out of it so that everyone else can check it out too!
Because we've reached the end of the year, it's time to give some kudos to six artists that we see as breakout stars from 2018. From chart success to critical acclaim, grassroots celebrations, and more, each of these artists has found a way to reach new heights this year, and we'd be willing to bet that they've got even higher achievements waiting for them in the future.
Last year we gave nods to Andrew Hyatt, Brett Young, Alee, Carly Pearce, Leaving Thomas, and Midland. Check out this year's breakout Male, Female, and Group/Duo picks for Breakout Country Artist of 2018!
Jade Eagleson
Jade Eagleson had a huge 2018, releasing his debut single, then a four-track EP. He hit the road to play at Boots & Hearts, the Universal showcase at CCMA weekend in Hamilton, The Budweiser Country Throwdown in Toronto, and on the Honkytonks and Dive Bars Tour with Gord Bamford and Jojo Mason.
That single, Got Your Name On It, dropped in May and climbed as high as #6 on the Canadian country radio charts, and was an all around jam.
With shows booked on The Reklaws' Winter's A Beach Tour and the high likelihood of more music and excitement in 2019, we can't wait to see how much higher this young man's star can rise.
Jimmie Allen
Jimmie Allen's breakout 2018 included a fantastic full-length debut album, Mercury Lane, with 15 tracks worth playing on repeat, and his very first #1 single, Best Shot.
But that's not all.
Allen played live all over the United States, he made trips to play for fans in the UK, and we had the chance to see him up on the main stage this summer at Boots & Hearts 2018. He's an excellent performer, a bonafide talent, and a rising star in country music. Keep your eye on him!
Tenille Townes
Canadian women are on fire in the country music genre right now, and Tenille Townes is right there with Jess Moskaluke, Meghan Patrick, Madeline Merlo, Jessica Mitchell and the rest. Her single, Somebody's Daughter, earned praise from Rolling Stone, The Grand Ole Opry, and wowed the audience at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards gala in September.
Her star is shining bright, and with love from Canada and the United States, Tenille Townes is most definitely a breakout artist of 2018.
Via the Grand Ole Opry, "With the lyrical fortitude of Patty Griffin, the soulful nature of Chris Stapleton or even Adele and the genre-transcending power of Shaina Twain, Townes is paving a path all her own as one of Nashville's most promising new artists."
Ashley McBryde
Ashley McBryde's name has been known in grassroots country music circles for a while now, but in 2018, it became even more well-known than ever before.
Her album, Girl Going Nowhere, was released at the end of March and landed on the Rolling Stone '25 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2018 So Far' in June and ' 40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2018′ lists. The title track got a whole lot of love, and justifiably so. But hit play on American Scandal and realize that she's more than a one hit wonder and has a lot more to offer country music lovers.
The Reklaws
The Reklaws have been on our radar for a long time, and now, they're on everyone else's too!
Jenna and Stuart Walker are talented hard workers that tasted success in 2017 with their single, Hometown Kids - but in 2018 they upped the ante, with Long Live The Night and Feels Like That burning up the Canadian country music radio charts. The duo was also recognized in a big way as a breakout this year when they won the CCMA's Rising Star Award.
These two have star power, are humble as they come, and are poised for even bigger and better things in the future. Congrats to The Reklaws on a fantastic 2018!
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Delta Rae
This amazing, harmonizing, powerful sextet of country/roots/rock/folk singers and musicians took 2018 by the back of the neck and showed it what's up.
In October they released Hands Dirty and it was instantly the anthem we wanted for the #MeToo movement. It became our soundtrack for the continuation of the fight for equality, justice, and right as we pushed through 2018. And, it was a brave, strong, progressive stance in a genre that doesn't always accept that position.
The band also put down roots at The Basement in Nashville this year, running through a 16-week residency with special guests each week between September and mid-December.
You might not know their name yet from country radio airplay, but you should know Delta Rae, and you should be ready for a lot more from them soon!
