2015 is wrapping up, and I promised a Ones to Watch in 2016 list, so here it is.

If you’ve got an artist that you think we should be watching for next year, please leave a comment and tell us so we can add them to our list!

Cam – With a brand new album dropping this December, Cam is prepping for a big 2016. We’re already in love with Burning House and My Mistake, and with 8 new tracks coming on the Untamed album, we’re betting that we’re going to have more to love in the coming year. She’s bubbly and sweet and easy to crush on… let’s see where this goes.

Dylan Scott – 2015 was a big year for Dylan as he built his fanbase with some great work on social media, and cracked the Top 40 country charts with Crazy Over Me. After catching young Mr. Scott on stage at Boots & Hearts this summer we’re hoping for big things and another trip to play for Canadian crowds.

Meghan Patrick – Meghan’s been down in Nashville killing it in the studio recording music after signing with Warner Music Canada and The Agency Group earlier this year. I can’t wait to hear what the writing sessions and studio work produce from a Durham County local girl that we’ve been watching hone her craft for the last few years.

The Lazys – The Aussie rockers are loud and obnoxious in the very best of ways. After hanging out for a beer, talking music, and watching them up on stage, we know these boys are ready for more. With writing and recording pencilled into their 2016 schedule, including another trip back to North America, our fingers are crossed that we’ll see The Lazys headline with new material to go with the stuff we already dig.

Sam Hunt – Yes, everyone already knows Sam Hunt and he’s hella popular, but we also hear that he’s working on some new music to follow up Montevallo. It might be hard to avoid a sophomore slump after such huge early success, and that’s why we’re watching… we want to see him knock another one out of the park.

Johnson Crook – These 4 dudes are a bucket of fun and their talent shines through in the early work they’ve done together. We know they’ve been in studio, and can’t wait to see what tracks make it to the final product.

River Town Saints – These boys know how to have fun on stage, and that’s been a key in starting to make a name for themselves on the Canadian country music scene. There’s a lot more to come from River Town Saints and 2016 is going to be the start of that story.

Cory Marquardt – He parties hard and works harder, and that’s going to result in more and more opportunity and face time for this former hockey player. We know there’s a new video (with a cameo by his dog Emma) and single on the way, and with any luck that’ll be the start of a big year.

Mieke – I really dug the early release work from Mieke this summer, and we’re hoping that there’s more coming in 2016. If you still haven’t heard Sleeping Alone, give it a listen and let us know what you think.

Livy Jeanne – In 2015 she worked the stage and the backstage microphone, and she made friends everywhere she went. If 2016 is anything like that, we’ll be happy. We’ll also be happy when more people know her name – and we’ve still got “hang out with Livy and Jordan McIntosh” on our To Do List.

Boots & Hearts – OK, it’s weird to put a festival on this list, but as we all get ready for the B&H 5th Anniversary it’s impossible not to think about the weekend we’re going to have at Burl’s Creek and who else is going to be added to a lineup that already includes Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley.

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Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.