Over the past 12 months, country artists all over have had to find new creative ways to get their music out to the fans. And, with the coronavirus pandemic still hanging on, it seems like there’s no knowing when concerts will be back in full force.
Luckily social media has given artists a lane to continue to roll out new songs and content to fans everywhere while they wait to get back on large arena stages. One such social media platform that’s been introducing fans to a whole new crop of rising country artists is the video-sharing platform, TikTok. The service, which has millions of users from all over the world, is home to names like Kaleb Austin and Dylan Brady, as well as Ashley Cooke, who co-created the movement, The 615 House, a countrified version of the famed Hype House.
Now that TikTok has become loaded with new users, artists and influencers daily, fans may feel a bit overwhelmed. So, stay informed with Music Mayhem as we share 16 new country artists you need to check out in 2021.
Ashley Cooke (@TheAshleyCooke)
Ashley Cooke is known for thinking outside of the box. A Belmont University graduate, she got together with her good buddy and fellow country artist Chris Ruediger to create The 615 House. The 615 House, which has 5.7 million likes and counting, gives Nashville-based artists a platform to grow their fan base. It also allows them to create some entertaining content with other artists for TikTok users’ viewing pleasure. Cooke, whose music has been connecting with fans far and wide, has released songs like “Through This” and “Jealous of the Sky,” a song she wrote in remembrance of her late best friend, Adam, who passed away from cancer.
More recently, Cooke released her brand new single “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night,” which debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Chart. “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night” is just the first of three songs produced by GRAMMY-nominated producer Jimmy Robbins, that Cooke is set to release this spring.
Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavis_Music)
Brandon Davis has been making quite the impression on TikTok as both a family man and a country singer. Boasting over a million followers on the platform, Davis’ creative content finds him crooning to songs by artists like Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton. His wife and kids also join him in some of the videos, especially during his on-the-fly concert challenges. Fans can hear Davis on heartfelt original singles like “Step by Step” and “God Made Angels.”
Chris Ruediger (@Chris.Ruediger)
The Boston-born country/pop artist is not only talented but also innovative. Teaming up with previously mentioned fellow singer/songwriter Ashley Cooke, the two launched The 615 House on TikTok, as a way to bring artists together and help audiences easily find artists when searching for new music. Ruediger, who has grown his fan-base to over 350k followers, has dropped catchy songs like, “Good For Leaving,” “Kissing Me Back,” “‘Til it Wasn’t,” and more.
Trey Lewis (@TreyLewisMusic)
Known for inserting profanity into his lyrics, Trey Lewis found success with his 2020 country song entitled, “Dicked Down In Dallas.” The song, although raunchy for some audiences, reached No. 12 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and went on to quickly amass millions of streams. Lewis has reached even more people via TikTok with over two million likes thus far.
Cooper Alan (@CooperAlan1)
Cooper Alan got his start performing in a band in North Carolina before he moved to Nashville. As part of The 615 House, and with the support of renowned producer and songwriter Victoria Shaw, he has been steadily growing his fan-base. Alan’s songs like “Tough Ones” and “New Normal,” struck a chord with numerous fans, with both of the tracks debuting atop the iTunes Country Chart. So much so that they’ve found their way into other TikTok users’ videos.
Priscilla Block (@PriscillaBlock)
Priscilla Block, a member of The 615 House, had enough viral success on TikTok to score a major label deal with Universal Music Group. The rising country artist grew her TikTok audience to over 700k followers. Her loyal followers even helped her raise enough money to record and release the song, “Just About Over You,” which she wrote about an ex-boyfriend. The singer went on to release several other singles including “PMS” and “I Bet You Wanna Know.”
Will Dempsey (@WillDempseyMusic)
Will Dempsey’s first taste of viral success came after his wife Tiffany posted a clip to Facebook that featured him and the couple’s son Weston singing Luke Combs’ hit “Beautiful Crazy” together. Since then, he’s been making fans swoon over his heartfelt songs dedicated to his family including his viral single “Best Parts Of Me,” which Dempsey self-penned about his daughter, Isabella. Additionally, the singer shared his latest single “Mississippi Mud” in February 2021.
Dylan Brady (@DylanCBrady)
Dylan Brady has been a solo artist for some time. But it may come as a surprise to some that he once performed with his twin brother, Cody as part of the duo, The Brady Brothers. The singer, who was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at age 13, went on to sign an artist development deal with Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts before joining Barry Weiss’ RECORDS – in partnership with Riser House/Columbia. He currently boasts more than 800k followers on TikTok.
Noah Schnacky (@NoahSchnacky)
Noah Schnacky has had success in more than one arena. Not only is he a talented music artist, but he also has done some acting in various roles including an appearance on How I Met Your Mother. Turning to music as his first passion, Schnacky has already performed at the C2C Festival in London and signed a deal with Big Machine Records. His more than 6 million TikTok followers have fallen in love with his songs like “Every Girl I’ve Ever Loved” and “She Broke My Heart.”
Alexandra Kay (@AlexandraKayMusic)
Alexandra Kay first went viral on social media with her version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” Since then, she has seen her TikTok numbers skyrocket from 200,000 to over 1.4 million. Fans, who watch her videos, can find her singing various cover songs while pouring her morning coffee. They can also find her collaborating with other artists as she’s one of the newer members of The 615 House. Earlier this year, Kay also saw two of her singles, “I Kinda Don’t” and “All The Cowboys” debut at the No. 1 spot on iTunes’ country music charts.
CB30 (@TheCB30Music)
Brothers Christian and Brody Clementi make up the group CB30. Born and raised in Nashville, the two are no strangers to the music business being the sons of a songwriter father who wrote songs for stars like Martina McBride and Dierks Bentley. Since then they’ve been taking the TikTok world by storm with songwriting challenges, cover songs, and funny videos. Before growing their TikTok following to over 2 million, CB30 was discovered by Luke Bryan and signed by his manager, Kerri Edwards.
Andrew Jannakos (@AJannakos)
Andrew Jannakos has seen the true power of social media, as his content on TikTok led to him to score a major record deal with Sony Music Nashville. With nearly 800k followers and counting, it’s clear Jannakos is doing something right. A former contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” it was Jannakos’ wife Katie, who helped him launch his TikTok profile. His first clip that went viral was a teaser of his single “Gone Too Soon.” The song later debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artist Chart.
Jack Singleton (@JackSingletonMusic)
Hailing from California, Jack Singleton has been keeping fans engaged online. Having started on Instagram in his early teens, he has since moved to TikTok, where he’s reached more than 800k followers. His most recent release is a five-song EP called the Nashville Sessions, which includes songs like, “I Like Me Better” and “Fan Girl.”
Kaleb Austin (@KalebAustinMusic)
If you were to click on Kaleb Austin’s TikTok page, you’d notice just how loyal his fan base truly is! His more than 100k followers recently surprised him with a brand new Gibson guitar. Austin who moved to Nashville for a little over a year before returning to his home in Utah is the singer/songwriter behind the single, “Sound of the South.” In mid-January, the track debuted at the top spot on the iTunes country chart.
Rashad (@ItsRashad)
RVSHVD’s (pronounced Rashad) TikTok page boasts more than 800k followers and 4.4 million likes, and it’s easy to see why. The Georgia-born artist has an immense amount of musical talent. Rashad’s recent song, “Raised Up” took the top spot on the iTunes Country Chart. Before releasing “Raises Up,” RVSHVD’s country version of Roddy Rich’s “Ballin” went viral. He is currently signed to The Penthouse for management representation and production.
Tigirlily (@Tigirlily)
The sister-duo, born and raised in North Dakota, is a part of The 615 House, and it’s no surprise since their songs are inspirational and their harmony is tight and undeniably pleasing to the ears. Tigerlily made up of Krista and Kendra Slaubaugh recently released a new track called, “Somebody Does,” which debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Chart. The timely tune is all about reminding people of their worth. Tigirlily also recently signed a record deal with Monument Records.
