- Jesse Lee - CMT
Despite an economic climate that has largely forced record labels to take fewer chances and to rely more on their (few) best-selling artists to sell digital downloads and records, there are some new artists being added to label rosters in hopes of becoming the next country sensation.
Here are a few artists to check out:
The Eli Young Band
This Texas-based group began as an acoustic duo between singers Mike Eli and James Young, called Eli & Young. They later added more members and renamed themselves The Eli Young Band. The group signed with Carnival Records in 2005, released a record, and opened shows for Miranda Lambert. In 2006, the group released a Christmas record and signed with C3 management.
The band's 2008 release, Jet Black and Jealous, spawned two singles, "When It Rains," which reached #34 on the country charts. The band's breakthrough single is "Always The Love Songs" which peaked at #11.
David Nail
Missouri-born David Nail comes across as a sensitive, passionate singer on his current single, "Red Light." Many of the songs on his debut album were written or co-written by Nail himself. Originally, Nail wanted to become a professional athlete, but became interested in music and moved to Nashville after high school.
After a few years of trying to make his career come alive, he was signed with Mercury Nashville and recorded a self-titled album in 2002. He lead single from this album, "Memphis" made it to #52 on the singles charts, and the album was never released.
Nail left Mercury Records and took a break from the music business before returning to MCA Records in 2007. His first single was the title track of the album, "I'm About to Come Alive." His current single, "Red Light" has cracked the Top 40 on the Country charts.
Carter Twins
Country music's answer to teen sensation Taylor Swift may be the Carter Twins. These 19-year-old brothers, Joshua and Zachary Carter, hail from Ohio. Their mother worked in country radio and encouraged their interest in music.
Meetings with SESAC singer and publisher Stephen Davey, as well as with a CMT executive led to a deal and the twins' first single, "Heart Like Memphis." The brothers' debut album is slated to be released in Fall 2009.
Easton Corbin
Florida native Easton Corbin grew up listening to traditional country singers such as George Jones and Keith Whitley. He began playing guitar in his teens. An audition at a local music store led to a spot performing at the Suwannee River Jam, a festival that attracts thousands of people and national touring acts.
Corbin earned a business degree from the University of Florida, and then moved with his wife to Nashville. Corbin's cousin, a professor, had a few contacts in Nashville and sent copies of Corbin's music to them.
These contacts included a Nashville booking agent and Joe Fisher, who had recently been hired as an A&R manager at Universal Music Group. Fisher immediately signed Corbin upon hearing his music. Corbin's first single, "A Little More Country Than That" has been released to country radio.
Jesse Lee
California native Jesse Lee began singing at an early age as well, performing at festivals by age 11 and enrolling in a performing arts school at age 13. AFter opening shows for Ronnie Milsap and Willie Nelson, she moved to Nashville and enrolled at Belmont University. She began working with songwriters like Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose. She was later signed by Atlantic Records.
"It's A Girl Thing," is the first single from her upcoming album.
Jessica Phillips - Jessica Phillips is currently a writer with the online magazine, Country Standard Time. She has previously worked with Universal Music ...
