Top 5 Unsigned Artists
At any given point, Southern Gospel (as any other genre) has its fair share of up-and-coming artists. Sometimes these artists get noticed early, are signed to a major label, and really start to make their mark on the genre. Other times, they tour and record independently for a few years before getting a major label deal.
Who are some of the artists in the second group? Who are the strongest unsigned up-and-coming artists in our genre?
In no particular order:
- Old Paths Quartet. Any group ambitious enough to field a live band and produce recordings at the level Old Paths is doing is worth a closer look—even if they don’t have a sound as good as this group’s.
- The Diplomats. This Georgia-based mixed group captures the raw energy and enthusiasm of the Happy Goodmans, recording and staging both old and new songs.
- Ball Brothers. These four brothers might not have a bass singer in the family, but they have the tightest four-part harmonies around.
- Liberty Quartet. Perhaps the only full-time group on the West Coast, more national exposure for this group help expand the reach of Southern Gospel.
- The Browns. They consistently produce albums worthy of major label distribution, and have a unique live presentation to boot.
This list specifically focused on up-and-coming artists, so I didn’t include artists that have been on major labels at some point but for whatever reason are not now (e.g., Dixie Melody Boys, Dixie Echoes, Blackwood Brothers, Hayes Family).
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