2018 Golden Boot Awards: Vote Now for New Artist of the Year
Welcome to the fifth annual Golden Boot Awards! The Boot’s fan-voted digital awards, the Golden Boot Awards feature 10 categories of staff-selected nominees who made waves in the country music world in 2018. Readers can vote for their preferred winner in each category as often as once per hour through 11:59PM ET on Jan. 27. We’ll announce the winners on the site on Jan. 28.
The year 2018 introduced fans to some new names who have made big waves in country music; it also brought to the forefront some artists who have been hanging behind the scenes as songwriters and contributors for quite some time.
Jimmie Allen's name is everywhere after his debut single, "Best Shot," introduced him to the world; the talented singer-songwriter worked his way from the ground up and dropped his first album, Mercury Lane, in October. Kassi Ashton is another new face on our radar, especially after a power-packed collaboration with Keith Urban, who found Ashton when he went on a quest for some swagger and attitude.
Tyler Childers has been a favorite on the European circuit for some time and is finally getting his due notice at home in the States; listeners voted him Best New Live Act in the Golden Mic Awards earlier in 2018. Devin Dawson was one of The Boot's Artists to Watch in 2018; the up-and-comer's debut album, Dark Horse, was a hit straight out of the gate.
Ruston Kelly dropped his debut album, Dying Star, in September; the project is packed with powerful collaborations, including some with his wife, Kacey Musgraves. Kelly's growth in popularity is a testament to the strength of his songwriting and performances.
Lanco went up the charts with their single "Greatest Love Story," and they have not slowed down since, thanks to the release of their debut album, Hallelujah Nights, and a tour of the same name. Meanwhile, Ashley McBryde has proved that she's not just a Girl Going Nowhere as she continues to be tapped for collaborations and performances with some of country's biggest names, including during Luke Bryan's recent CMA opening performance.
Kalie Shorr is another new name to follow; the talented singer-songwriter is blazing her own uber-confident pop-country trail. Molly Tuttle, too, is a force to be reckoned with, making history as the first woman to ever win the award for Guitar Player of the Year at the IBMAs. She's set to drop her debut solo album in 2019.
Morgan Wallen struck gold with the hit collaboration "Up Down" with Florida Georgia Line, but the talented songwriter also has his name on hits including Jason Aldean's "You Make it Easy," among others. This guy is going places.
Cast your vote for New Artist of the Year below.