Lauren Alaina
2017 was an incredible year for the American Idol alum. With the release of her second studio album and a killer collab with fellow rising country star, Kane Brown, she hit #1 on Country Airplay twice! Back in 2011, she released her debut album post-2nd place Idol run, Wildflower, with the standout songs: Georgia Peaches, Like My Mother Does, Dirt Road Prayer, and Eighteen Inches. This album and her tour opening up for Jason Aldean gave her a Best New Artist award at the American Country Music Awards.
In 2013 she released an EP with little attention, but came back strong in 2016 with the hit single Road Less Traveled, followed by an album of the same name. This album released in 2017 spawned country hits such as: Next Boyfriend, Road Less Traveled, Doin' Fine, and Queen of Hearts. She is the new generation's Carrie Underwood and we can't wait to see what is in store for this country music princess.
Fun Fact: She is known on Twitter & Instagram for posting "punny" captions!
Our favorite Lauren Alaina songs: Doin' Fine, Next Boyfriend, Dirt Road Prayer
RaeLynn
With one of the biggest country hits in 2017 with Love Triangle, RaeLynn is a force to be reckoned with! As a quarter finalist on the second season of The Voice, she signed a record deal with Republic Nashville, followed by her debut single God Made Girls in 2014. This single hit the top 10 on the Country Airplay charts and was certified gold.
Back in 2016, she signed a new record deal with Warner Bros. Nashville with whom she released the single Love Triangle, which Sounds Like Nashville called a "standout debut" as "country music storytelling at its finest and country music radio is better because of it." Wow - that's certainly a compliment (and we agree!). Her album, Wildhorse, hit #1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart - the first female to do so since Maren Morris' debut album HERO.
Our favorite RaeLynn song: Love Triangle
Maren Morris
Maren Morris is country music's new SUPERstar! Her debut album HERO is a country music masterpiece and is one you can play on repeat for hours. With 3 hit singles (My Church, 80's Mercedes, & I Could Use a Love Song) she is already (arguably) one of country music's best stars. It'll be hard for sure to top her hit debut album, but we have faith she is here for the long run!
Our favorite Maren Morris songs: I Could Use a Love Song, Once, Rich
Danielle Bradbery
Another alum of The Voice, Danielle Bradbery was the season four winner! Her debut album, as a Big Machine Records artist, hit #5 on the US Country charts. She just released her second album I Don't Believe We've Met with the hit single Sway in 2017. This light-hearted, catchy country song hit #39 on the country charts, but seems to be gaining a lot of attention and traction with the release of a music video and more radio airplay. Bradbery will be one of many country female legends in the future - just wait!
Our favorite Danielle Bradbery songs: Sway, Potential
Christina Taylor
Christina Taylor may be newer and younger than the other women on this list, but don't count her out yet! She just released her debut EP in 2017 with the attention-getting singles: That Girl and Don't Look Good in Your T-Shirt Anymore. She was also featured on CMT's Next Women of Country on Spotify! Take the time to go listen to her songs - it'll be worth it! The rockin' single That Girl kind of reminds us of Carrie Underwood's smash hit Before He Cheats!
Our favorite Christina Taylor song: That Girl
Carly Pearce
A country newcomer, Carly Peace just released her debut album in 2017 with the lead single Every Little Thing. She is signed to Big Machine Records (like fellow rising star, Danielle Bradberry). Her debut single Every Little Thing hit #1 on the Country Airplay charts and #5 on the US Country Charts. Her debut album of the same name hit #4 on the US Country Charts. Her single is relatable no matter who you are & is definitely worth a listen or two if you haven't heard it already!
Our favorite Carly Pearce songs: Every Little Thing, Hide the Wine
Here's to the next generation of country music female superstars!