There is loads of space in country music for all comers. Think of established legends like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and George Strait. Then you have the young dynamos such as Lainey Wilson and Riley Green. In addition, a brand new crop of emerging talents also comfortably inhabits the genre. They are shaping their musical identities, busily writing songs that powerfully convey their truth, and just being themselves on stage and in the recording studio. You never know who the next superstar will be. We decided to showcase a few of these rising country stars. They are making their voices - and their presence - known.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Dylan Scott
Scott, 34, is from Bastrop, Louisiana. According to Southern Living, his dad, Scotty Robinson, was also a presence on the country music scene. On fact, Scott said, "I'm thankful for Dad teaching me the hard work aspect of life because people don't understand. They think it's all just glam and glory out here." Sometimes, if you do the hard work, you get the glam and glory. Both are coming this singer's way. He has an album in the pipeline called Easy Does It.
Ashley Cooke
Cooke began her music journey early in life. Per countrynow.com, the Parkland, Florida native began penning songs at age 11 and settled in Nashville at age 18. She allotted herself a year to get a foothold in the music world. Cooke did that by finding her niche on TikTok and growing her fan base there. To date, this country music whirlwind has hit the road with Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell and graced the stage at the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium. Watch out for her!
Alana Springsteen
First, let's get one thing out of the way. Springsteen is not the daughter (or any other relation) of The Boss. But she is super talented and accomplished though she is still in her mid-twenties. Per grammy.com, Springsteen put down roots in Nashville at 14, quickly snagged a publishing deal, and dropped her freshman album, Twenty Something, by the time she was 22. Per the outlet, the LP "intricately details the woes of growing up in three parts: messing it up, figuring it out and getting it right."
She shared, "The best thing that I ever did was double down on my truth and my story. Never giving up on that vision that I had in my gut, listening to that. My blind faith and blind confidence has been my superpower."
Dustin Lynch
Lynch, 40, is from Tullahoma, Tennessee. Per allmusic.com, he was swayed by those he terms "the class of '89" consisting of accomplished singers like Clint Black, Alan Jackson, and Garth Brooks. He made a beeline for Music City in 2003, performed at the storied Bluebird Cafe, and landed three milestone deals - a recording deal, a management contract, and a publishing deal. Lynch was on his way and he never looked back. To date, some of his albums include Current Mood, Where It's At, and Tullahoma. He is a natural bro-country boy.
