Top 10 Country Artists To Watch In 2017

2016 proved to be an amazing year for the artists spotlighted on last years Artists To Watch list . Maren Morris nabbed four Grammy nominations and the CMA for New Artist of the Year, Granger Smith had his first number one at country radio and seems poised to repeat that feat with single number two, and Mitch Rossell spent most of the year opening for Garth Brooks. Kane Brown scored the biggest debut album for any country artist this year, Brothers Osborne won the CMA for Duo of the Year, Tucker Beathards Rock On was one of this years biggest smashes, and almost every other artist had their best professional year ever.

Luckily for country fans, the new talent parade isnt ending anytime soon! The ten newcomers below stand poised to rivaland perhaps even surpassthe feats of last years artists. Here, ranked from 10 to 1, are this years Top 10 Country Artists To Watch and the songs you need to check out right now!

10. Jackie Lee // Getting Over You

Jackie Lee inked a record deal with Broken Bow in 2014, but it appears 2017 is going to be the Maryville, Tennessee natives breakout year. He says his new single, Getting Over You, is the first song thats truly captured who he is artistically. Hopefully that means many more like it will follow, because this song is a hit!

9. Luke Combs // Hurricane

Asheville, North Carolina native Luke Combs credits Eric Churchs Grammy-nominated album Chief with inspiring him to move to Nashville. So far, that decision has been a great one: Luke landed a Top 10 single on the iTunes country chart with Hurricane and has opened for acts including Travis Tritt, Old Dominion, Eli Young Band and Kelsea Ballerini.

8. Seth Ennis // Woke Up In Nashville

Seth Ennis is originally from Valdosta, Georgia, but Nashville is the town (and song!) that hes best known for now. His debut single on Arista Nashville isnt the only place youll hear him on the radio right now: he co-wrote Tyler Farrs new single, Our Town, too. 2017 will be a busy year for Seth: hell be opening stadium shows for Florida Georgia Line while he puts the finishing touches on his debut album.

7. Kaitlyn Baker // Coal Train

Kaitlyn Baker s first paying gig came at age nine. Now 22, the seasoned vet has played festivals and fairs from coast to coast. Despite gracing countless stages, Kaitlyns favorite place to perform is still her hometown of Pound, Virginia (population 1,073). She even stars in a tourism campaign for Virginias Appalachia regionwith a song she co-wrote! With a new EP slated for early next year, 2017 is poised to be this real-life coal miners daughters best year yet.

6. Ryan Hurd // City Girl

Kalamazoo, Michigan native Ryan Hurd tried his hand at songwriting after getting his sociology degree at Belmont. So far, its working out pretty well: he scored a #1 song (and a Grammy nod) with Blake Sheltons Lonely Tonight, and almost a dozen other starsincluding Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, and Rascal Flattshave recorded his songs. Now, Hurd is stepping in front of the microphone. His sexy single City Girl sets up whats sure to be a dynamite 2017. You can catch Ryan on the road with girlfriend Maren Morris and Thomas Rhett next year.

5. Runaway June // Lipstick

If you havent seen Runaway June perform live yet, add them to your must-see list for 2017. The trios harmonies are amazing, a la early Dixie Chicks. Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland, and Jennifer Wayne (real-life granddaugther of John Wayne. NBD.) met and formed in Nashville after running away from their hometowns to chase their music dreams. Their fun debut single, Lipstick, is an upbeat anthem every girl needs to hear.

4. Bailey Bryan // Own It

Youll be hearing a LOT about Bailey Bryan in 2017, starting with the Grammy Awards: shes nominated as one of three Artist of Tomorrow picks. She was chosen by Lady Antebellums Hillary Scott for the honor. Speaking of famous friends, shes also the only artist on this years Ones To Watch list to be a label mate of Fetty Wap, via her deal with 300 Entertainment/Warner Nashville. A video for her debut single Own It will be released early next year. Another fun fact? Her hometown of Sequim, Washington is the lavender-farming capital of the world.

3. Caitlyn Smith // Tacoma

Youve probably already heard of Caitlyn Smith . And youve definitely heard her songs: shes written for some of the biggest names in music, including Dolly Parton, Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, and Lady Antebellumnot to mention Meghan Trainors #1 duet with John Legend, Like Im Gonna Lose You. Her Starfire EP was released in July, and every song on it is absolutely incredible. I wanted to unlock my heart and dig around inside a little, the Cannon Falls, Minnesota native said about the release. Mission accomplished! Look for a full-length album from Caitlyn in 2017.

2. Brett Young // Sleep Without You

2016 is ending on a high note for Orange County, California native Brett Young : his debut single Sleep Without You is at the top of country radio charts. Followup single In Case You Didnt Know, from Bretts self-titled EP slows things down a bit, but still showcases the singers so-called Caliville sound. Hell hit the road with Justin Moore and Lee Brice early next year (show up early so you dont miss the soon-to-be-smash-hit Like I Loved You!).

1. Carly Pearce // Every Little Thing

Carly Pearce is making MAJOR waves in country music, and shes doing it without a record label. You may recognize her voice from Josh Abbott Bands Wasnt That Drunk , or from SiriusXMs The Highway, where shes currently blazing up the charts. Every Little Thing got stamps of social-media approval from stars like Kelsea Ballerini, Lucy Hale, and Cam when it was released last month, and now every little thing seems to be going right for Carly. This Taylor Mill, Kentucky native be crushing it in 2017 on the CMT Next Women of Country Tour with Caitlyn, Runaway June, and several other amazing female artists.