Lévis, Quebec, Canada
Blue Ridge Band
Meet the Lévis, Quebec trio that won SiriusXM’s 2026 Top of the Country competition. Start with One More Story.
Start with the artistEARLY FINDS. LONG-TERM FAVORITES.
Next Up.
The names to know before they become your regulars. Emerging country and Americana artists, with a reason to pay attention and a place to start listening.
THE WHISKEY TWANG WATCHLIST
Get to know these names.
Latest edition
From Blue Ridge Band’s Canadian competition win to new music from Ken Pomeroy and Boy Golden: six discoveries, six starting points, and what to follow next. Read the full watchlist
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Morgan Griffiths
An Abbotsford country songwriter, a 2026 Top of the Country runner-up, and an entry point through Bourbon.
Start with the artistEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
Shawnee Kish
An established artist entering a new country chapter: begin with Ride at Dawn and the 2025 album Chapter 1.
Start with the artistMoore, Oklahoma, United States
Ken Pomeroy
The Oklahoma songwriter connects Cruel Joke with a new collection of songs that shaped her: Tonight’s News.
Start with the artistWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Boy Golden
A Winnipeg songwriter with a new single, Pity, and an October 2026 deluxe edition on the way.
Start with the artistLouisiana, United States
Crowe Boys
Louisiana brothers Ocie and Wes Crowe bring guitar, mandolin and a family history into their debut album Made to Wander.
Start with the artistFOLLOW THE SONG. FOLLOW THE STORY.
From the discovery desk.
The watchlist
6 Country and Americana Artists to Know: September 22, 2026
From Blue Ridge Band’s Canadian competition win to new music from Ken Pomeroy and Boy Golden: six discoveries, six starting points, and what to follow next.
Festival & awards dispatch
After AMERICANAFEST 2026: 3 Emerging Artists to Hear Next
Where to start with Ken Pomeroy, Boy Golden and Crowe Boys—and the new releases that keep the discovery going after Nashville.
Festival & awards dispatch
Blue Ridge Band Wins Top of the Country 2026: Meet the Three Finalists
The Quebec trio won in Saskatoon, with Morgan Griffiths and Shawnee Kish named runners-up. Here is where to start with each artist’s music.
INDEPENDENT EDITORIAL SELECTIONS
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A documented signal
A recent release, an emerging-artist nomination, a showcase selection or a competition result gives us a reason to investigate. We check the date and the original source.
A useful way in
Every pick comes with context and an official listening route. “Emerging” can mean an artist reaching a wider audience after years of work. The story should explain that.
A record you can follow
Each edition keeps its date and selections. The watchlist is our editorial choice; it measures no sales, streams or chart position. Festival and award references do not imply an affiliation.
On our weekly editorial calendar: the watchlist and an artist spotlight. Festival and awards coverage follows new developments, with sources checked before each story goes live.
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