Brittney McKenna is a freelance writer for GRAMMY.com.
When Sam Barber wrote his first song, he had no idea how far it would take him. Just 16 at the time, the country singer/songwriter penned "Straight and Narrow," an aching, clear-eyed plea for resilience that revealed his old soul — and proved he's a star on the rise. "Straight and Narrow," which appeared on Barber's 2023 EP, Million Eyes,…
The word "rabid" may often be tossed around in conversations about fan bases, but Koe Wetzel's die-hard followers truly deserve the distinction. A quick search of the Texas-born singer/songwriter's fans reveals videos of Wetzel breaking up audience fights, arguments over featured vocalists and many, many Koe-inspired tattoos. So, what is it about the 32-year-old country star that gets people so…
Tyler Childers has made a career out of doing things differently. The Lawrence County, Kentucky native first built a grassroots following with his left-of-center country style, becoming a cult figure respected for his traditionally informed take on the genre and his unabashed authenticity. Now, he's one of country music's favorite outsider voices — and he continues to move the needle…
In a few short years, Zach Bryan has taken the country and Americana worlds by storm. And he's ready to do it again with his self-titled album. Zach Bryan follows the wildly popular singer/songwriter's 2022 major label debut American Heartbreak, a sprawling triple album of raw country and roots songs that elevated Bryan from something of a cult favorite on…
