Do you ever wonder what your favorite artists are listening to?
I know I do. If you like an artist’s original music, there’s a high likelihood you’d like their music taste as well, so I always find it interesting when artists discuss the music they love in interviews or on social media. It’s usually kind of a given that artists within the country music genre have at least an appreciation for the all time greats and generational legends that paved the path before them, but the artists making music right now are part of a really special era for the genre as well, and I know so many of them appreciate the music their contemporaries are making.
So, as the new year approaches and we find ourselves in the throes of every country music media outlet’s year-end lists, I thought it’d be interesting to reach out to some of the artists themselves to see what their favorite country music album of 2024 was.
26 artists got back to me with their favorite album (or two, or three) of the year, and with only five albums that were mentioned more than once it’s safe to say these artists have an eclectic take in country music.
For what it’s worth, though, I can attest in saying that each and everyone of these albums (and the artists that picked them) are well worth checking out. So without further ado, see for yourself which album Shane Smith, Wade Bowen, Kaitlin Butts, and dozens of other artists picked as their favorite record of 2024.
Bayker Blankenship: Restless Mind by Sam Barber
Ben Chapman: Passage Du Desir by Johnny Blue Skies
BJ Barham (of American Aquarium): Visitor by John Moreland
“In a year of absolutely stacked releases, this is the one I keep coming back to. Nobody writes songs like John Moreland and this just another example of why great songs with the right amendments transcend everything else.”
Benjamin Tod: Countin’ the Mile by Jesse Daniel
“This album is the clearest representation of classic country songwriting released in 2024. Jesse Daniel absolutely nailed every second of this record and Jodi Lyford is an incredible coconspirator every step of the way.”
Carly Pearce: The Loneliest Girl in the World by Laci Kaye Booth
“Laci is such an incredible writer and the production just stopped me in my tracks.”
Carter Faith: Trail of Flowers by Sierra Ferrell
Conner Smith: Don’t Mind If I Do by Riley Green
“Riley’s songwriting on this record is on a completely different level. ‘Jesus Saves,’ ‘Don’t Mind If I Do,’ and ‘Worst Way’ are tracks he wrote on his own, which only makes the songs that much better for me. Watching him get his flowers this year was special because I think he is one of the best artists of this generation for country music.”
Drayton Farley: Dark Cloud by JR Carroll
Evan Honer: Country by Medium Build
“Medium Build’s new album ‘Country’ was on of my favorite albums this year because although it’s not a stereotypical country album by any means, it has some of the most honest songwriting and straightforward lyrics I’ve heard in a while, which is reminiscent of some of my favorite older country artists while still presenting them in a unique way and over interesting, catchy bedroom pop instrumentals.”
Gabe Lee: Downbeat by Ben Chapman OR Alabama Sound by Taylor Hunnicutt
Hudson Westbrook: Am I Okay? by Megan Moroney
Ian Munsick: Leather Deluxe Edition by Cody Johnson
JD Clayton: Trail of Flowers by Sierra Ferrell
“My favorite country album of 2024 is ‘Trail of Flowers’ by Sierra Ferrell. The melodies, writing, and recording are all downright gorgeous. She’s also arguably the greatest vocalist of my generation. Go listen to her now.”
Josh Abbott (of Josh Abbott Band, The Panhandlers): Roadrunner! by Kaitlin Butts OR hungover by Ella Langley
“So many friends and artists I’m a fan of put out great music this year. I could name 20 albums or songs I love. But if I gotta pick 1 or 2, I’m gonna go with Kaitlin Butts and Ella Langley. I’ve been a fan of both for years and it’s been fun watching them release outstanding albums and breakthrough this year. They’re very different but they both give that same star power badass ‘I know who I am as an artist’ vibe. My wife and I love ’em both, musically and as friends.”
Joshua Quimby: Highway Prayers by Billy Strings
JR Carroll:. Cold Beer & Country Music by Zach Top OR Welcome To The Plains by Wyatt Flores
Kaitlin Butts: Rhinestoned by Maggie Antone
Meg McRee: Downbeat by Ben Chapman
Nolan Taylor: South of Here by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Noeline Hofmann: Trail of Flowers by Sierra Ferrell
“A magical modern classic, from the undeniable songwriting and musicality itself down to the production. It’s tough to narrow down the track list to choose just one favorite, but ‘American Dreaming’ especially struck a chord with me – a regular soundtrack for long days on the road this summer.”
Shane Smith (of Shane Smith & the Saints): Black on Black by Paul Cauthen
“I recently got to catch up with an old buddy, Paul Cauthen, in Las Vegas during NFR. I hadn’t listened through his record all the way through till this past week and I really dig it, I might say his ‘Black on Black’ album for 2024. It just doesn’t sound like anything else and the production on it is amazing.”
Summer Dean: Cold Beer & Country Music by Zach Top
Taylor Hunnicutt:
“MAN. This is hard. I got three that I listened to on repeat and I’m trying to narrow it down.
‘The Coastal Plain’ by Muscadine Bloodline – These Bama boys never miss, but this record felt like something different. Like it’s ushering a new age of MB. Almost 10 years in, they have hit their stride.
‘Silverada’ by Silverada – A beautiful introduction to a new direction. Still familiar, but the songwriting on this record is outstanding.
‘Made By These Moments’ by The Red Clay Strays – Obviously a lot of folks favorite from this year, and for good reason. It feels like a southern rock revival with gentle moments scattered throughout. Doing a lot of good stuff for our home state. And I couldn’t be more proud.”
Tanner Usrey: Dark Cloud by JR Carroll
Tommy Prine: Rhinestoned by Maggie Antone OR Dark Cloud by JR Carroll
Wade Bowen: Postcards From Texas by Miranda Lambert
“I thought my friend did a great job of showing her Texas roots while sticking to what has always made her a bad ass! My favorite songs off the album are ‘Run’ and ‘No Man’s Land’!”
For those who are keeping score: Of these artists that were kind enough to participate and shout out their favorite album of the year, Sierra Ferrell’s iconic record Trail of Flowers and JR Carroll’s long-awaited debut Dark Cloud were the most popular with three picks each. Ben Chapman’s recent record Downbeat, Maggie Antone’s debut project Rhinestoned, and Zach Top’s breakthrough album Cold Beer & Country Music all received multiple mentions as well.
What a year it has been in country music.
