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Hannah Ellis felt “overwhelmed with joy” when she took the stage at her recent album release event in Nashville, Tennessee. The Kentucky-born singer-songwriter had recently released her long-awaited debut album, That Girl, around the 10-year mark of building her career as an artist and songwriter in Music City.
Now, Ellis believes she’s “gearing up for the best year yet.”
Ellis is one of several artists to release a highly-anticipated debut album at the beginning of 2024. Powerhouse singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer released her debut album, My Stupid Life, following years of blazing her own trails in Nashville and performing with other highly-respected artists, including The Highwomen — the supergroup made up of Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires — Brothers Osborne and others.
Charles Esten has become widely-known as an actor and musician, including with his role as Deacon Claybourne in the smash-hit musical drama Nashville. Though fans have long known Esten for his music, Love Ain’t Pretty is his official debut album. It released on January 26. Esten reflected on the years-long journey of bringing the album to life: “This album that I have poured myself into over the last number of years is finally out into the world. I’m feeling a million different emotions because of that, but by far, the overriding one would be deep gratitude.”
Conner Smith also kickstarted a fresh era in his career with his debut record, Smoky Mountains, which includes a collaboration with “Everything She Ain’t” star Hailey Whitters on the 12-track project. The “Creek Will Rise” artist said at the time: “This album is a journey through my roots, a tribute to the place that shaped me, and every song is a piece of my heart. I’ve poured my soul into these tracks, and I hope they resonate with you as much as they do with me.”
Recognizing stand-out female country artists on the rise, CMT recently revealed its 2024 CMT Next Women of Country class, which includes: Anne Wilson, Denitia, Ella Langley, Emily Ann Roberts, HunterGirl, Karley Scott Collins, Kylie Frey, Lauren Watkins, Madeline Merlo, Mae Estes, Tanner Adell, The Castellows, Tigirlily Gold and Twinnie.
Country fans got tons of new music from rising superstars in the genre in the first month of 2024, and many artists have more on the horizon. Here’s a list, in no particular order, of more artists to watch this year (if you’re not following their work already). Some have been nominated in New Artist categories at recent and upcoming awards shows, including the CMA Awards, the Grammy Awards and the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Find their music on iHeartRadio.
Adam Doleac
Corey Kent
Jackson Dean
Hannah Ellis
Conner Smith
MacKenzie Porter
Brittney Spencer
Charles Esten
Ashley Cooke
Dylan Marlowe
Kameron Marlowe
Zach Top
George Birge
Warren Zeiders
Chayce Beckham
Chase Matthews
Drake Milligan
Bryan Martin
Josh Ross
Kylie Morgan
Jay Allen
Alana Springsteen
Lily Rose
Anne Wilson
Denitia
Ella Langley
Emily Ann Roberts
HunterGirl
Karley Scott Collins
Kylie Frey
Lauren Watkins
Madeline Merlo
Mae Estes
Tanner Adell
The Castellows
Tigirlily Gold
Twinnie
Nate Smith
Megan Moroney
Jelly Roll
Zach Bryan
Parker McCollum
Hailey Whitters
The War and Treaty
Meghan Patrick