5 Country Artists to Look for in 2010

This is the time of year when lists of what to look out for in the following year are compiled - What movies will be big? What video games are we looking forward to? For me, the big question is always what new musicians will I discover? The following artists are worth checking out, even though finding them will be more difficult than simply turning on your radio. But you know what they say - the best things in life require a little effort.

Snohomish County, Washington is the home to Bullet Creek. The band features musicians Lyle Ronglien (vocals and guitar), Duncan Shadrack (vocals and acoustic guitar), and Joe Slick (vocals and acoustic guitar). Each is an accomplished musician and the band travels throughout the state wowing crowds with covers ranging from Keith Urban to Johnny Cash along with their innovative original music.

Eighteen year old singer/songwriter Ashley Austin makes her home in Grapevine, Texas. In 2006, she took top honors as the Most Promising Teen Vocalist at the World Showcase in Las Vegas. More recently, she placed in the finals of the Hoss the Boss Music Award Song Voting Contest for September and is currently participating in the 2009 finals. She lists influences as diverse as Sugarland, Katy Perry and Pat Benetar; and even recorded her own rocking cover of Ms. Benetar's Hit Me With Your Best Shot. It's hard to imagine such powerful vocals and intriguing lyrics coming from someone so young. Her first CD is due out soon.

Mike Parrish and Sammy Hundley grew up in Hull, Texas. As children, they dreamed of being in a band together, but life had other plans for them - at least for a while. Mike went into law enforcement, rising to the rank of Police Chief in two different Texas towns while Sammy stayed the course with music, becoming the leader of a cover band. Fate led them back to their hometown where they were finally able to embark on their dream of making music together.

In 2007, with Sammy on guitar, keyboard and background vocals, Mike released Texas in the Man to great reviews and appearances on music charts all over the world. The track, Blue Jean Baby, reached as high as number five in Switzerland and Goin Back to Texas went to number six in Italy. Sammy's album, the magical House Full of Nothing, features all-original folk songs with just him and his guitar. The men are currently working on a duo album while playing shows throughout the United States.

Not a country musician in the traditional sense, Paul McCormick is originally from Scotland, and now makes his home in northwest England. The former winner of the Danny Kyle Award at Glasgow's Celtic Connections Festival has performed all over the globe including Canada and the United States. It's hard to decide if his music is so compelling because of his silky voice or if it's his image-inducing lyrics. The CD, Pablo's Vineyard, features many up-tempo songs, but the ballad, I Don't Want To Say Goodbye, is guaranteed to produce tears even in the most stalwart of listener. Paul was a finalist in the September Hoss the Boss Music Award Song Voting Contest and is now participating in the finals. He was also a guest dj on the Internet station in November.

Christian Kane is an accomplished actor, possibly best known for his character, Lindsey McDonald, in the television show, Angel. He currently portrays Eliot Spencer in the hit TNT show, Leverage, but many may not know that he's also a gifted musician. Christian and fellow guitarist, Steve Carlson formed the band Kane in 1998. Though out of print, they released a self-titled CD in 2000 and in 2004, a live album recorded in London came out.

Over the summer, the band reunited for several gigs in Portland, Oregon where the second season of Leverage was being filmed. The band also toured the mid-Atlantic region, opening several shows for Eric Church. Christian can sing a ballad with amazing tenderness and then in the next moment can rock out with what seems like no effort. It's country music at its finest.

Christian was signed to major recording label Sony Nashville, and recorded an album that, unfortunately, the powers that be have decided not to release. Christian parted ways with Sony, and is currently working on a new album for indie label, Bigger Picture Group. At the production helm is Bob Ezrin, known for his work with Alice Cooper, Kiss and Pink Floyd along with Jimmie Lee Sloas who has worked with Garth Brooks, Keith Urban and Reba McEntire.

There will no doubt be many major-label releases in 2010 worth listening to, but make a New Year's resolution to look further. Give these and other indie musicians a try - you won't be disappointed.