Your Take: Undiscovered Talent

Karlie Justus | June 20th, 2009

In this digital age, it’s easier than ever for artists to build a following online without even so much as stepping outside of their front doors. However, on the flip side of that coin, the sheer number of MySpace, DIY and indie label entertainers can make for a mind-boggling pool of talent to wade through when searching for the Next Big Thing.

After a Your Take post three weeks ago that asked you to name a can’t miss country legend for hip-hop music critic Nathan Rabin to blog about on his County Music 101 Nashville or Bust column, reader Kathy P. sent us an email:

Hey, guys. Just saw your post about ‘recommend an artist.’ That got me to thinking, how about a post to your readers asking for their recommendations of their favorite yet-to-be discovered or about to breakout artist/s? Who do your readers think they’d like to hear on country radio?

Kathy starts us off with her suggestion, Sarah Wilson from Pennsylvania.

Who is an undiscovered country artist or group you would recommend? Tell us why you dig him, her or them and leave us a link so everyone can check them out.

  1. Charles
    June 20, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    Otis Gibbs
    http://www.myspace.com/otisgibbs

    As real as songwriting gets. As real a voice as you’ll hear anywhere. Unless you like bubble gum pop and autotune.

  2. Chris N.
    June 20, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    Lauren Lucas: http://laurenlucas.com/

  3. Stormy
    June 20, 2009 at 6:32 pm
  4. Ashley
    June 20, 2009 at 7:05 pm

    Kelleigh Bannen.

    http://www.myspace.com/kelleighbannen

    Discovered her here, so she is no news to you guys… unsigned = undiscovered, right?? Love her! CD available on iTunes and her website http://www.kelleighbannen.com

    Favorites: the whole album, but “No Such Thing” is my top pick.

  5. J.R. Journey
    June 20, 2009 at 8:07 pm

    Though she’s not completely undiscovered to regular readers of The 9513, Miss Leslie is certainly worth checking out. And I like her because her music is hard-core honky tonk, her lyrics are real and earthy and come from personal experience, plus she’s just a helluva woman. Check out her MySpace to hear some great country music. Then you’ll want to read the insightful posts on Miss Leslie’s blog at her official site. You’ll be glad you did.

  6. PaulaW
    June 20, 2009 at 9:52 pm

    Hmmm .. I posted but it isnt here … so if it shows up twice somewhere down the line, I apologize.

    http://www.myspace.com/rayherndon

    http://www.rayherndon.net

  7. ccdixon
    June 21, 2009 at 7:11 am

    My pick would be Blue Eyed Grass (Delnora Reed and Jayron Weaver). No frills or gimmicks – simple, but beautiful.

    Official site | Myspace

  8. Sabrina5000
    June 21, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    http://www.slidebarband.com/home.cfm?mpf=frame& One of the best bands in Oklahoma is Slidebar. They used to play at the same club Toby Keith played at before he became famous.

  9. Bob M.
    June 21, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    Following are some artists i’d love to hear on country radio, but are way TOO country. If there was justice, they would be big stars: Justin Trevino, Jamie Richards, Lucas Hudgins, Dale Watson, and Richie Allbright.

  10. Zach
    June 21, 2009 at 11:44 pm

    Liking some of this..
    http://www.myspace.com/timwoodtunes

  11. Stephen M. Deusner
    June 22, 2009 at 7:58 am

    I fell in love with Christopher Denny’s little-heard debut Age Old Hunger a few years ago. He’s a Little Rock native with a great voice that reminds me of Jimmie Dale Gilmore or Slim Whitman and great songwriting chops, and he does a really nice cover of Kristofferson’s “Loving Her (Was Easier).”

    myspace.com/christopherdenny

  12. Rory
    June 22, 2009 at 9:54 am

    The Front Porch Country Band
    http://www.myspace.com/thefrontporchcountryband

    Distinctive sound that incorporates other music styles I enjoy with country, like rock, folk, americana.

  13. Matt B.
    June 22, 2009 at 2:02 pm

    Todd O’Neill (http://www.myspace.com/toddoneillonline) is a damn good vocalist and has the potential to be popular.

  14. Ryan
    June 22, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    Pretty Boy Thorson & The Falling Angels are one of my favorite bands at the moment. They’re a little more punk than country, but hey, they have song titles like “If The Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me, Then I’ll Think Of Something Else.”

    http://www.myspace.com/prettyboythorson

  15. Rick
    June 22, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    Chris N., are you a fan of Lauren Lucas because of her talent or the pictures of her in the FHM “Women of Country” issue a few years ago? (lol) I have a DJ CD copy of “What You Ain’t Gonna Get” and absolutely love that song! I like her EP CD as well as Kerry Harvick’s solo effort.

    I’ve been touting Li’L Mo and the Monicats lately as Monica Passin is a fine songwriter and singer of old timey hillbilly, honky tonk, and rockabilly music. Her voice is not polished but is good at expressing raw emotion. Monica belongs in Austin and not New York City, but that’s part of her appeal. I gave Pat Donohue a copy of Monica’s “Hearts In My Dream” CD to pass onto Garrison Keillor as I’d love to hear her on APHC someday! (lol)
    Link: http://www.myspace.com/themonicats

  16. Adam Stark
    June 23, 2009 at 11:08 am

    Victoria Banks – In my opinion, best of the Global Artist Show at CMA Fest. http://www.victoriabanks.net

  17. Miss Leslie
    June 23, 2009 at 11:16 am

    Brennen Leigh. She’s got a CD that I wish she’d release. It’s great – a little blues, a little bluegrass, a little honky tonk. All original tunes. http://www.myspace.com/brennenleigh. Check her out.

  18. Ben Milam
    June 23, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    Matt. Powell.

  19. Laura
    June 24, 2009 at 1:00 am

    I’d recommend Rodney Hayden.His music is what country should be, not this new pop country sound.His songs come from the heart and when he sings, he sings his heart out no matter if it’s in front of a big crowd w/his band or acoustic in a record shop.His music is as genuine as he is and he’s got a loyal fan following.I think anyone who gets a chance to see him live will not only have a great experience but have plenty to blog about. http://www.myspace.com/rodneyhayden

  20. SCSue
    June 24, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    James DuPree
    a great talent that should get a big break
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi4WvMZPy3A

  21. Lucas
    June 25, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    CHRIS YOUNG. Ok, he’s signed… but gosh darn-it, somebody give that guy a bigger song.

  22. Brady Vercher
    June 26, 2009 at 8:55 am

    Jason Eady
    His music is kinda folky/rootsy, so it’s not totally country, but you can tell this guy cares about the quality of the songs he writes. He only got to do a few of them at the set I saw at SXSW this year, but judging by the audience reaction, his lyrics were easily the most spellbinding.
    http://www.myspace.com/jasoneadymusic

  23. BRETT ROBERTS
    October 7, 2009 at 5:29 pm

    I think old crow medicine show justin townes earle steve earle’s son amanda shire

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