I haven’t done an up and comers to watch for list in a while. I realize it seems like a lazy blog to do, but if you know me well then you know this is one of my hobbies. I love to find new acts, the next big artist, and huge country hits that will be the fave I play on repeat in my car. Discovering new artists, means watching their entire career transform before your very eyes and the satisfaction of being able to say, “I was a fan when!”
Matt Farris
If you follow the Wake Up Crew mornings on Best Country 103, then you have heard the name Matt Farris. Matt comes to Oregon pretty frequently playing shows at Seven Feathers and dropping into the KRSB studio whenever he gets the chance. An Arizona native, country music wasn’t always Matt’s thing. He started his career as an EMT and Certified Fire Fighter while trying to build a name in music.[1] Yes, you heard that right ladies, more reason to love Matt Farris! His country music career almost came to a screeching halt when both Farris and his father were shot during a petty crime. “There were a few men looking to steal my dad’s truck. We tried to stop them… At one point, one of the men pulled out a gun and shot. My dad stepped in front of me and the bullet went through him and into me. We were both extremely fortunate our injuries weren’t more serious.” Recently, Matt dropped his latest hit, “Me or the Whiskey,” which currently plays on Best Country 103. If this isn’t the hit that gets Matt a record deal than I don’t know what I am talking about and should probably quit now. So take a listen and let me know what you think in the comments. Is this going to be the hit that gets Matt Ferris to top?
Cloverdayle
Oregon Jamboree 2015 was the first time we had heard of Cloverdayle. This husband/wife powerhouse duo rocked the stage last year and had high expectations. Sadly I hadn’t really been hearing anything until we recently added “Play me Something I can Drink To,” on Best Country 103! I love to drive around town windows down, blasting this killer hit. I foresee a major future for this band, aside from the outstanding vocals and amazing music this couple just has the personality to go with their burgeoning stardom!
Sister C
In a time where the Dixie Chicks have begun another world tour after their career was nearly destroyed by political controversy, Lady Antebellum deciding to go temporarily solo, and many other country duos’s breaking up, it seems like a struggle for a lot of these bands. Here comes Sister C, a power house female group that I can’t help but think reminds me of SheDaisy. Sister C consists of Cirby Ryan, Celbi Rheygan and Carli Rayne three sisters that got their start on season 2 of The X Factor. They have been performing since they were little girls, and have taken their experience to the next level in their new CD “Demo Sessions Vol. 1.” I have included a couple song video’s of theirs so you can get the full effect of how big this band will go someday. Word on the street is growing more and more about Sister C!This
“Bar Ain’t Big Enough”
“Faint of Heart”
Margo Price
Most new country artists are trying to follow the pop country sound of Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift – then here comes Margo Price! What a breath of fresh air! She reminds me of my classic favorites, Loretta Lynn. Margo has been a little bit of everywhere lately, appearing on television morning shows, performing at The Grand Ole Opry and even Saturday Night Live. She moved to Nashville, met her future husband (bass player Jeremy Ivey), and they created the band Buffalo Clover. Sadly, tragedy struck when she lost her first child. Like many others who experience traumatic life changes, Margo turned to alcohol. She found her release from the bottle in the music she created. “I lost my firstborn son to a heart ailment,” Price says, “and I was really down and depressed. I was drinking too much. I was definitely lost. I did some things that I regret very much now that resulted in a brush with the law. Thank god I had my friends and family to keep me going. Coming through that, I thought, I’m just going to write music that I want to hear. It was a big turning point.”[2] This is where relatable music begins. I compared her to Loretta Lynn, and it seems that both have created music from painful pasts. This girl is the real deal, and in a time where we are losing our country music greats one by one, I am welcoming of this new addition! Be ready because she is coming to Happy Valley, Oregon this summer to the Pickathon! You know where I will be!
“Hands of Time”
“Hurtin (On the Bottle)”
“Tennessee Song”
[1] http://www.mattfarriscountry.com/bio.html
[2] http://margoprice.net/about/