Best of Country 2008

posted in: Artist Features • Reviews & Playlists

To ring in the new year, we here at OurStage thought it would be a good idea to step back and reflect on some great new artists that emerged on the scene in 2008 and are likely to be the ones to watch in 2009. This is the list of our favorite country crooners:

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Amy Speace
The D.I.Y. efforts of Amy Speace, a New York based nu-country singer-songwriter, have generated a loyal fan following as well as industry attention over the past few years. 2008 has been a break out year with highlights including a performance at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, being a Finalist in the Folk/Singer Songwriter Category for the 2008 Independent Music Awards as well as having a track included on Born To The Breed, A Tribute To Judy Collins (includes tracks from Dolly Parton, Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Baez and others.)

Beau Davidson
Tennessee based musician/ actor/ model, Beau Davidson, kicked off the year with his video More Than I Can Give (The Good Hurt ) being included on MTV.com. His rock and roll approach to country has made him a stand out talent in the Country music capitol of Nashville, earning him a spot in Nashville Lifestyles Magazine’s 25 Most Beautiful People.

Nicole Frechette
Media interest has remained steady for Nicole Frechette, with features in the New Haven Advocate and the Madison Source. She was also voted New England Country Music Organization’s 2008 Female Vocalist of the Year and Female Vocalist of New Country, plus her album nabbed CD of the Year. In ’08 Frechette also shared bills with Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Gary Allan, JoDee Messina, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift.

McClain
The husband and wife team, McClain, met in LA but now calls Nashville home and is coming into their own as artists. Having recently released the their debut recording, Ivy EP, the duo has an avid fan following on OurStage ,which helped secure them an opening spot on Matt Nathanson as well as an opening spot for Grace Potter and The Nocturnals. This Alt-Country duo find themselves perfectly placed in between the world of Country and Indie Rock.

The August
The August’s debut LP, Thistle, Sparrow, and the Tall, Tall Grass, has been well received by critics and audiences alike. In fact readers of American Songwriter and Paste Magazines voted them winners of the Cayamo Songwriting Competition. The band will be sailing down to the islands near St. Thomas to perform at sea with Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, Brandi Carlile and others in February. Until then, the band will be gigging in support of  their December release, “Uptown Sessions EP”.