Austin Burke
Scottsdale native Austin Burke moved to Nashville at 19 to pursue a career in country music. His breakout single “Whole Lot In Love” first catapulted Austin to streaming stardom with his total streams now exceeding over 200 million. His music has also been featured on Sirius XM’s The Highway and he even made his Grand Ole Opry debut in March of 2019. A few months later, Austin caught the attention of country superstar Thomas Rhett, who in turn signed Austin to his first publishing deal with Home Team Publishing, a creative partnership Rhett and Warner Chappell Music.
Read MoreGunnar Latham
Gunnar Latham sings “modern cowboy songs”. These aren’t the dusty trail tunes of old but those of an old soul interpreting the modern world with his own unique, cowboy perspective. He was born on a ranch outside San Marcos, Texas where his dad, a bull riding southern Baptist minister, influenced his love for both music and the cowboy lifestyle at an early age.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he took up rodeo at an early age and excelled at the sport. Being a standout team roper and steer wrestler earned him a scholarship to Sul Ross State University (Alpine, TX) where he competed nationally for 4+ years getting his permit card at 21 years old. The broken bones, broken hearts and broken dreams experienced on the circuit only served to lead him back to his true passion – music making and storytelling.
During his formative years in his father’s church, Gunnar’s passion for music was developed. He learned piano, guitar, drums and sang in the church choir. In late 2019 he felt called to leave rodeo behind and shift his focus to his first love. He spent 2020 focusing all of his attention and energy on developing his craft as a songwriter, singer, and player. When a cowboy puts his head down and gets to work, the results don’t go unnoticed. The time has come to share the fruits of his labor with the world. Introducing — Gunnar Latham.
Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard, a legendary performer and songwriter, revolutionized country music in the 1960s, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the Bakersfield country scene. His music, deeply rooted in hardcore country, ventured into diverse territories, blending elements from traditional American music genres like country, jazz, blues, and folk, resulting in a unique and distinctive style. Haggard’s influence as a performer, singer, and musician extended far and wide, leaving a profound impact on numerous other artists. Renowned as the finest singer/songwriter in country music since Hank Williams, Haggard crafted a timeless collection of songs that have become classics, showcasing his incomparable talent and versatility.
Born into modest beginnings on April 6, 1937, to James and Flossie Haggard during the Great Depression, Merle’s upbringing was marked by challenges and resilience. Raised in a converted boxcar in California, his early years were steeped in hardship and tragedy, with the loss of his father at a young age leading to a period of rebelliousness. Despite attempts to steer him in the right direction, Merle’s rebellious streak persisted, eventually landing him in juvenile detention centers. It was during his turbulent teenage years that his passion for country music blossomed, inspired by icons like Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, and Hank Williams. The gift of a guitar at the age of 12 marked the beginning of his musical journey, as he honed his skills through self-teaching and performances at local venues.
Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, including stints in juvenile hall and prison, Haggard’s undeniable talent and resilience shone through, propelling him towards a remarkable musical career filled with highs and lows. From his early struggles to his rise as a country superstar, Merle’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and a deep-rooted connection to the heart and soul of country music. His profound impact on the genre and enduring legacy continue to inspire generations of artists and music lovers worldwide, cementing his rightful place as a timeless legend in the annals of country music history.
Dylan Schneider
Drawn to the storytelling aspects of Country music, Dylan Schneider started performing and writing songs at the age of 14, after meeting Brett Eldredge and singing with him on-stage during a concert. After that, he began posting videos to his Facebook page, where he’d cover popular Country songs, gaining a devoted online following. Since then, Schneider has made a name for himself in the Country music community, forging a sound that merges modern Pop sensibilities with a down-home feel. Honored as one of Amazon Music’s 2023 “Breakthrough Artists To Watch,” he’s also been named as an “Artist to Watch” by Pandora, Taste of Country, and Sounds Like Nashville as well as “Country Music’s Next Rising Star” by Billboard. Currently out on the road with Kane Brown and Granger Smith, and he’s also toured with Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, Granger Smith, LANCO, and Chris Lane, co-wrote Dustin Lynch’s Top 5 hit song “Momma’s House,” accumulated over 1.2 million social media followers and banked upwards of 250 million on-demand streams (and counting). Now signed to BBR Music Group, his most-recent five-track EP College Town truly embraced his irresistible Rock-n-Roll edge and unrestrained Pop-Country swagger, with American Songwriter raving that the project exhibited “an impressive evolution of his artistry.” Now, after posting a snippet of his new break-up anthem “Ain’t Missin’ You” on social media, the sound went viral, garnering more than 75 million views and 86,000 creator videos. Giving into fan demand, the rising Country music star’s “Ain’t Missin’ You” is out now.
Read MoreJessica Andrews
Tennessee native Jessica Andrews discovered her passion for music at a young age, showcasing her talent in a fourth-grade performance where her rendition of Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ captured hearts and earned her first prize. This marked the beginning of her musical journey, performing at local events like fairs and carnivals, nurturing her love for singing.
The buzz around Andrews’ exceptional abilities reached the ears of renowned Nashville producer Byron Gallimore, who was intrigued by her vocal range and control. Collaborating with Gallimore, Andrews entered the studio to select songs for recording, impressing DreamWorks Nashville label representatives at a showcase with her exceptional talent. This led to her debut album ‘Heart Shaped World’ in 1999, followed by ‘Who I Am’ two years later, featuring the title track that secured Andrews her first #1 country single. Subsequent releases like ‘Now’ in 2003 showcased her evolving sound, appealing to a broader audience.
Wyatt Flores
Wyatt Flores crafts the kinds of songs you can listen to crossing state lines on the way to a new beginning. He lets out regret through his unfiltered delivery, while hope buoys coarse guitar chords even in the face of life’s most turbulent storms. This stark honesty has cemented the Mexican-American Oklahoma-born and -bred troubadour as one of country music’s most vital voices.
After releasing a handful of singles – including the fan-favorite, “Please Don’t Go,” – Flores began building a steadfast following of listeners who often heard shades of their life experience in his honest songs. Gigs in tiny Oklahoma bars turned into shoulder-to-shoulder club shows and, eventually, a contract with Island Records. With 2023 EP Life Lessons and early 2024’s eight song collection Half Life under his belt, Flores’ music now reaches millions each month.
His debut album, Welcome To The Plains, is out now. The scene-setting title track gives a new take on his homeland. In the chorus, he sings, “It’s red dirt poor and wanting more/ Mr. Weatherman knocking at my door/ Where dreams go drying up like rain … Welcome to the plains.
Tanya Tucker
Edgy. Classic. Country. A defining voice of music and a modern-day legend, 2023 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee and two-time GRAMMY® winner Tanya Tucker continues to inspire artists today. Born in Seminole, Texas, Tanya had her first country hit, the classic “Delta Dawn,” at the age of 13 in 1972. Since that auspicious beginning, she has become one of the most admired and influential artists in country music history, amassing 23 Top 40 albums and a stellar string of 56 Top 40 singles, ten of which reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard country charts. Tanya is also the recipient of numerous awards, including two CMAs, two ACMs and three CMT awards. In 2022, Tanya made her acting debut in a lead role in Paramount’s “A Nashville Country Christmas,” starring alongside Academy Award® winner Keith Carradine. This year, Fantasy Records will release Tanya’s new album, Sweet Western Sound, produced once again by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings.
Read MoreHal Ketchum
Hal Ketchum emerged in the country music scene at the start of the 1990s with his folk-driven sound, making a mark with his gold-certified debut album, ‘Past the Point of Rescue.’ His chart-topping hits like ‘Small Town Saturday Night’ and ‘Hearts Are Gonna Roll’ solidified his position in mainstream country music, leading to his induction into the Grand Ole Opry in 1994. Despite a decline in popularity in the following years, Ketchum persisted in creating notable albums such as ‘Lucky Man’ in 2001 and ‘Father Time’ in 2008. Health challenges plagued his career, but he pushed through to release his final studio album, ‘I’m the Troubadour,’ in 2014 before retiring in 2019 due to early-onset dementia, which eventually led to his passing in 2020.
Born in 1953 in Greenwich, New York, Hal Michael Ketchum discovered his passion for music at a young age, starting as a drummer and later transitioning to songwriting. His journey took him from the Adirondack Mountains to Nashville, where he launched his solo career with ‘Threadbare Alibis’ in 1989 under indie label Watermelon Records, paving the way for a major-label contract with Curb Records. ‘Past the Point of Rescue,’ released in 1991, became a milestone in his career, followed by successes like ‘Sure Love’ and ‘Every Little Word.’ Despite health setbacks and a diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis, Ketchum persisted in creating music, delivering albums like ‘Lucky Man,’ ‘King of Love,’ and ‘One More Midnight’ in the 2000s. His legacy as a talented songwriter and performer remains cherished in the country music landscape.
Drake Milligan
A student of classic Country music with the swagger of early Rock ‘n’ Roll, the Fort Worth, Texas native is an electrifying entertainer who cites George Strait and Elvis Presley – the King of Country and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – as musical heroes, and his unique twist of traditional Country has been embraced by fans, peers and the media alike. Milligan has performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach and CMA Music Festival, and earned high praise from People, BBC, USA Today, Parade, American Songwriter, CMT.com, Billboard, ET, Access Hollywood, Cosmopolitan, Cowgirl Magazine and Taste of Country. Following his Dallas/Fort Worth debut – named “One of the Best Country Albums of 2022” by Billboard and others – Milligan uncorked a Canadian Country Radio #1 in 2023 (“Honky Tonkin’ About” with The Reklaws), garnered 5 million views in just a few months with “Cowgirl For Christmas,” and headlined the massive New Year’s Eve celebration at the famed “World’s Largest Honky Tonk,” Billy Bob’s Texas, where he had also delivered two sold-out homecoming shows in the previous year. His latest EP release titled, Jukebox Songs, features four all new tracks and was released on Friday, February 16. He will also return to his primetime TV roots for the America’s Got Talent spin-off show, Fantasy League, and hits the road alongside Cody Johnson on his 2024 U.S. arena tour.
Read MoreDylan Gossett
The artist, a singer-songwriter hailing from Texas, captivates audiences with their soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Born and raised in the Lone Star State, they draw inspiration from the vast landscapes and rich music heritage of Texas. Their music reflects a blend of country, folk, and pop influences, creating a unique and captivating sound that resonates with listeners worldwide. With a voice that evokes emotion and storytelling abilities that transport listeners to different realms, the artist has established themselves as a rising star in the music industry.
Read MoreKenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers, the iconic artist known for hits like “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “She Believes in Me,” and “You Decorated My Life,” had a remarkable musical journey that blended country-pop and easy listening. Over the span of a decade, he transitioned from jazz combos and folk groups to founding the showbiz psychedelic pop group, the First Edition, which achieved success with hits like “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town.” Rogers later redefined himself as a country crooner with the chart-topping single “Lucille” in 1977, propelling him to superstardom on both country and pop charts. Beyond his music, Rogers became a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, leveraging his fame for TV appearances, restaurant ventures, and successful tours until his retirement in 2017 and passing in 2020.
Hailing from humble beginnings in Houston, Texas, Kenny Rogers’ musical talent emerged during his high school years as he honed his skills in guitar and fiddle. Starting with a rockabilly band called the Scholars, he ventured into the music scene, releasing singles and eventually joining the folk group, the New Christy Minstrels, before forming the renowned band, the First Edition. Despite facing financial challenges and lineup changes, Rogers persisted in his music career, signing with various labels and finally achieving breakthrough success with his distinctive country-pop sound that resonated with both country and pop audiences. His crossover hits like “Lady” and collaborations with artists like Dottie West and Dolly Parton solidified his position as a trailblazer in the music industry, demonstrating that country stars could captivate the mainstream audience with the right production and approach.
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter born on April 29, 1933. He rose to prominence as a key figure of the outlaw country subgenre, countering the conventional boundaries of the Nashville sound in the late 1960s. Nelson’s musical journey was marked by critical acclaim with notable albums such as Shotgun Willie (1973), Red Headed Stranger (1975), and Stardust (1978), establishing him as a prominent artist in the realm of country music. Apart from his musical endeavors, Nelson ventured into acting, appearing in over 30 films, authored books, and actively engaged in advocacies supporting biofuels and the legalization of marijuana.
Nelson’s musical inclination emerged at a young age when he penned his first song at seven and began performing with his initial band at ten. His passion for music flourished during his high school years as he toured locally with the Bohemian Polka as the lead singer and guitarist. Despite briefly serving in the U.S. Air Force after high school, he redirected his focus to music, gaining recognition for his talents as a singer-songwriter. Nelson’s career milestones include his move to Nashville in 1960, where he released his debut album …And Then I Wrote and subsequently signed with RCA Victor, marking his association with the Grand Ole Opry. Transitioning to outlaw country in the 1970s, Nelson’s artistic evolution led to the creation of signature albums like Shotgun Willie, Red Headed Stranger, and collaborations with renowned artists. Beyond music, Nelson’s impact extends to activism, notably as a liberal advocate and a key figure in environmental initiatives such as biodiesel production and support for music charities.