It's another year and another stable of new artists are ramping up to release their debut singles and albums to the masses. Last year brought us Justin Moore, Gloriana, Chris Young and Love and Theft and this year promises to offer us a few more new artists as Easton Corbin and Josh Thompson both release their debut albums in late February/early March.

Another artist who is releasing their debut album on February 23 is Sarah Buxton, a compelling vocalist who has been trying since 2008 to get singles to stick at radio. Running up against the 'anti-female' bias that I talked about in a previous column, Buxton finally hit with the perpetually optimistic "Outside My Window." The singer, who also wrote Keith Urban's "Stupid Boy," is happy to finally have a record coming out, particularly since she's already been inside the Top 30 once before.
Other artists to keep an eye on this coming year are former Idol contestant Danny Gokey, The Band Perry, Matt Kennon, Coldwater Jane, Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy and Teen Nick star Jennette McCurdy. Gokey, who placed third on the 2009 season of Idol, already has a single out on the charts and for sale at iTunes, the same can be said for Kennon and his personal single "The Call" and the supremely fun "Hip To My Heart" from The Band Perry. McCurdy is currently in Nashville working on her debut album for Capitol Records Nashville.
Will any of these singers reach the success of Justin Moore (a #1 hit), Gloriana (gold-selling single), Chris Young (#1 single) and Love and Theft (a Top 10 hit)? We don't know yet but with Buxton, The Band Perry, Corbin and Thompson all currently rising up the charts with their hits, chances are one of them will break through. One is certain about the new crop of artists, they are as varied as any but are once again proving that Country music is a genre that isn't afraid to embrace a few newcomers, even as legends like George Strait still are scoring chart-topping hits and albums.
