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Year in review: Country music's biggest breakout stars for 2021
Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Year in review: Country music's biggest breakout stars for 2021

Even though 2021 was a weird year, it wasn't a terrible year for country music fans. The past 12 months brought a slew of stellar new albums and singles, and a crop of exciting new artists who are poised to do big things in 2022 and beyond.

Flip through the slideshow below for a look at 2021's biggest breakout country stars, from hitmakers like Gabby Barrett and Jordan Davis to those whose stars will continue to rise, like Hannah Dasher and Brittney Spencer. 

 
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Cody Johnson

Cody Johnson
Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Long an independent artist from Texas, Cody Johnson's star has been on the rise since 2018 when he signed a deal with Warner Music Nashville. In 2021, Johnson expanded his audience more than ever with "Human," the double album that digs deep into his country roots. 

 
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Morgan Wade

Morgan Wade
Jason Davis/Getty Images

With her 2021 full-length debut "Reckless," Morgan Wade makes a case for herself as the most compelling new singer-songwriter in country music. The album is packed with raw, emotive tracks like the wildly popular "Wilder Days," which has been streamed more than 15 million times on Spotify. 

 
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Hannah Dasher

Hannah Dasher
Rich Fury/Getty Images

With her quirky personality and Dolly Parton vibes, TikTok star and singer-songwriter Hannah Dasher had a helluva 2021. In addition to her down-home cooking videos, Dasher also serves up feisty, fiery country bangers like "Girls Call The Shots." 

 
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Gabby Barrett

Gabby Barrett
Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

A rising star since her appearance on "American Idol," Gabby Barrett really solidified her status as the hottest new thing in country music in 2021. Her 2020 debut album, "Goldmine," remained a constant on country playlists over the past year, especially the endlessly catchy smash hit "The Good Ones." 

 
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Mickey Guyton

Mickey Guyton
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for MRC

Everyone thought that 2015 was Mickey Guyton's break-out year when she released her record-shattering hit "Better Than You Left Me." But it wasn't until 2021 when mainstream country fans got to hear more music from Guyton via her full-length debut "Remember Her Name." With Guyton's powerhouse vocals and incisive, empowering lyrics, this album is destined to be a classic. 

 
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Priscilla Block

Priscilla Block
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

A little bit quirky with a powerhouse voice, Priscilla Block first came to fans' attention via TikTok, where her videos have racked up millions of views. But she's not just a social media star, she's also a compelling performer with a penchant for seriously catchy lyrics. 

 
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Lainey Wilson

Lainey Wilson
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

In September 2021, Lainey Wilson scored a #1 hit in "Things A Man Oughta Know," the lead single from her debut album "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'." Both the song and the album earned widespread acclaim from critics, who praised Wilson's soulful vocals and compelling lyrics. 

 
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Tiera

Tiera
Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT

An accomplished songwriter fans might recognize from the competition singing series "Real Country," Tiera is the definition of a rising star. Her sound blends pop, R&B, and country, making it perfect for fans of Kelsea Ballerini, Taylor Swift, and Gabby Barrett. Check out her latest single "Gentleman" for an infectious chorus that should definitely be on your 2022 playlists. 

 
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Brittney Spencer

Brittney Spencer
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

For anyone who loves deeply emotive country tunes with gorgeous vocals, Brittney Spencer's work can't be beat. Expect big things from Spencer in 2022, including her first headlining tour and (hopefully!) new music. 

 
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Parker McCollum

Parker McCollum
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

In July, Texas native Parker McCollum released his long-awaited debut album "Gold Chain Cowboy," and fans went wild. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard Country Album charts and continued McCollum's rise to the country A-List. 

 
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Niko Moon

Niko Moon
Erika Goldring/Getty Images for CMT

Before he released his wildly popular 2021 album "Good Time," Niko Moon was a successful songwriter who'd penned hits for acts like Rascal Flatts. Now, he's following in the footsteps of acts like Sam Hunt with his heavily hip-hop-influenced sound. 

 
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Kameron Marlowe

Kameron Marlowe
Paras Griffin/Getty Images

A former contestant on "The Voice," Kameron Marlowe is making moves in the world of country music. Marlowe released two singles in 2021, including the popular "Giving You Up," which scored substantial radio airplay. 

 
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Walker Hayes

Walker Hayes
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Even folks who don't listen to country music got familiar with Walker Hayes in 2021. His chart-topping hit "Fancy Like," fueled by a TikTok trend, has sold more than 2 million copies, earning it a double-platinum certification from the Recording Industry Academy of America. Expect the momentum to continue into 2022 — Hayes is set to release his latest full-length album, titled "Country Stuff the Album," on January 21. 

 
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Ryan Hurd

Ryan Hurd
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Before embarking on his own solo career, Ryan Hurd wrote hits for some of country's biggest stars. Now he's notching massive hits under his own name. His duet with wife and fellow country star Maren Morris "Chasing After You," peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. 

 
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Jordan Davis

Jordan Davis
Scott Legato/Getty Images

You could argue that Jordan Davis's breakout year came in 2018 when his debut album peaked at #6 on Billboard's Hot Country Albums. But 2021 brought Davis's music to an even broader audience via "Buy Dirt," his wildly popular collaboration with megastar Luke Bryan. 

Amy McCarthy is a Texas-based journalist. Follow her on twitter at @aemccarthy

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