Top 5 New Country Artists to Watch in 2010

Country music starts the year off with an explosion of new artists taking the charts by force. Country music veterans and fans alike have 5 names to watch in 2010. The new decade brings traditional country music back into the spotlight and those going more main stream may want to take notes on what is bringing in the numbers. Here are my Top 5 New Country Artists to watch in 2010.

Newcomer Jamey Johnson isn't really new to the music scene, at least not as a songwriter. He has written hits for George Strait, Trace Adkins, George Jones and Joe Nichols. After spending 8 years in the Marine Corps right out of high school, he took every last dime he had and went to Nashville in 2000. He worked to make ends meet at various jobs, including running a construction business, playing the hot spots at night. Finally, he got a record deal with EMI music. Soon, however, his party attitude, many times more glorified fiction than fact, labeled Johnson as a "rebel" and he lost not only his marriage, but his record label as well. He went into seclusion, but that wasn't the end for Jamey Johnson.

He was still writing and that kept his name in Nashville. But writing wasn't enough for Jamey. He wanted to really do it and do it right. In 2007, Jamey began working on That Lonesome Song. After completingthe album, Jamey and his band turned down 2 record deals before signing with Mercury Records. It wasn't that he wasn't grateful for the chance and there was no attention-seeking attitude, he just wanted to do his music. And if you haven't heard it, you need to take a listen. Jamey Johnson's songs tear half your heart out and that soulful voice tears out the other half. His music is out of this world, traditional country music that makes you say "Oh man, I have been there".

Last year, his song "In Color", a song about an old man reviewing his life in black and white photos, won song of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. (http://www.jameyjohnson.com/bio.aspx )

Watch and wait, Jamey Johnson is on his way to country music superstar. To listen to his music, get tour dates, and learn more, check out his website www.jameyohnson.com

Topping off the Billboard Charts right now is Lady Antebellum. Their number one hit "Need You Now" is blazing a trail through the radio waves. Lady A, a talented trio, sat down together in 2006 to try to make some music together. Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood brought together a sound like no other. Hillary's smooth alto, along with the harmonious tenor of Charles Kelley and the talented instrumentation of Dave Haywood, make Lady Antebellum a sound to be reckoned with.

The trio started making music together and began by posting demos on MySpace to see how it would be received. The response was overwhelming on MySpace and at the gigs they started playing around town. They signed with Capitol Nashville in 2007 and began working on their album. In 2008, the group has already been named "Top New Group" by ACM. (http://ladyantebellum.com/index.htm?id=9325)

Their sophomore album, Need You Now, possibly one of the most anticipated albums of the New Year, is due out January 26, 2010. (http://ladyantebellum.com/index.htm?inc=5&news_id=17583)

One name you may not have heard of just yet is Chance McKinney. Math teacher by day, Chance is brand new to the music scene. Winner of Country Music Television's (CMT) Music City Madness and just before that he was named CMT's Top 64 Unsigned Artists. His sound is pure country and reminds me a lot of old school George Strait. Winning the competition with "Be Real", McKinney is on his way.

"Already a successful act in the Northwest, McKinney has opened for some of the biggest names in Country music when artists tour through the region, including Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and George Strait." (http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=125555 )

Since winning the Music City Madness Challenge, Chance will now head to Nashville to record his very own CMT Studio 330 Sessions and then get to play a private showcase with A&R executives at Valory Music Co. Where will he go from there? Stick around and watch! For a look at chance and to hear the song that helped him win, go to http://www.chancemckinney.com/

Lee Brice, influenced by almost every genre of music, has made a name for himself as a successful songwriter. Now, he is carrying that name to the airwaves. Hailing from South Carolina, Brice was brought up on good old Southern Gospel. Like so many before him in country music, he started off singing in the church. His sound though, sounded a little more rock and roll.

After a football injury a long time coming his senior year of college at Clemson, Lee went for his second love, music and headed to Nashville. Starting with a writing deal at Curb Music Publishing, he wrote as much as he could.

First on the charts, a very high debut single, "Picture of Me" brought Brice's name out as a singer. Back on the charts again with "Love Like Crazy", Lee is sure to be topping the charts over and over again in the years to come. Look for this guy to go really far. (http://www.leebrice.com/)

One of my favorites, Luke Bryan is number two on the Billboard right now with "Do I". Now, back in the summer, I knew, after listening to "Do I" when I was doing an article on new albums coming out in the fall, that Luke Bryan was coming into his own. I am thrilled that he is doing so well. And I look forward to his next album. This one is off like a rocket! Listen here if you haven't heard it. (http://www.lukebryan.com/index.php?page=welcome)

"Luke Bryan's first album, I'll Stay Me, included his up-beat crowd-pleaser "All My Friends Say" and "We Rode in Trucks". His second album is sure to bring many more fans and hopefully more music from this Georgia native." (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1989640/top_5_country_album_releases_for_fall.html?cat=33)

Now, if I was right about that Luke Bryan, how could I be wrong about the rest? Watch and see folks! These five new artists are going somewhere!