Recommended Listens: Up and Coming Female Country Artists
Country music, a long male dominated genre, is arduous for women to break into. Despite the charts and genre favoring men and songs that stereotype women, women have been making a breakthrough in country. From Kelsea Ballerini to Marren Morris and Kacey Musgraves, women are smashing stereotypes, crossing genre boundaries, and are kicking ass. We watched American Idol and The Voice winners step into the country genre, hit the charts running, and land opening spots on big tours. In some cases they've dominated the charts and the genre: do you remember when Carrie Underwood was simply known as an American Idol winner?
The country genre is abounding with women aspiring to write, record, and tour in the genre, and they are moving mountains to make their voices, and songs, heard. Here are two up and coming female country artists I discovered in the last few weeks to listen to, share, and keep your eye on.
Caitlyn Wolfe
I met Caitlyn a few months ago in a Facebook group after seeing her post about making the finals on the Taste of Country Hometown Risers songwriting competition, and I quickly clicked through the link, listened to her song, and voted. With a soulful country voice reminiscent of Martina McBride, and lyrics that bring Gretchen Wilson to mind, Caitlyn is well on her way to becoming a country singer-songwriter force. Give her a listen and follow her on social media to watch her journey!
Listen to Caitlyn Wolfe on Spotify
Catherine McGrath
Catherine appeared on my Spotify New Releases list a few weeks ago. Interested in listening to new music, I clicked on the about section of her artist profile and "play" on her album. I was blown away. What surprised me most about Catherine's story, is that she's not a Nashville native, nor is she an American. Despite her Nashville sound, she's actually from Northern Ireland. Her sound is a blend of old-time country and pop, is catchy, and her voice stuns. Give her a listen and follow her in her journey!