Ashley Monroe’s 2012 Like A Rose album, courtesy of Warner Music Nashville
The future of country music looks bright. Billboard has released their 10 Artists To Watch in 2013 list, highlighting artists and bands they feel are positioned for a breakout year. Among those named to the list are Ashley Monroe, Kacey Musgraves and Canadian trio High Valley.
Ashley Monroe makes up one-third of the Pistol Annies, but she’s been working as a solo artist for years. She’ll release her new album, Like A Rose, produced by Vince Gill, on March 5 with Billboard calling her ‘the most talented female traditional-based newcomer since Lee Ann Womack.’
Kacey Musgraves has been turning heads with her debut single, “Merry Go Round,” a song that Billboard likened to something Loretta Lynn may have written if she were a newcomer in Nashville today. The track caught the ear of Kenny Chesney and in turn, landed Kacey the opening slot on Kenny’s No Shoes Nation Tour this summer.
One of a few bands named to the list, High Valley’s debut single “Love You For A Long Time” is also catching ears at radio. “This trio of brothers from Canada have the talent, harmonies, and the songs to make it in 2013,” Billboard said. ABC’s Nashville also made the list, citing the original music performed by cast members featured in each episode.
Other acts named to the Top 10 list include Amber Hayes, The Lone Bellow, Scarletta, Coy Taylor, Chris Weaver Band and Drake White.
