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2011 was a huge year for country music. Rather is be mainstream, Texas, Red Dirt or anything in between. There were a lot of fresh new musicians to hit the scene this year. Some found instant success and some are right on the verge of being the next big thing. We've played more than a few this year on the station but we decided that we'd leave it up to you, the fans and listeners, to sound off on your favorites. Here are our finalists for breakthrough artist of the year. Vote Now!

 

2011 was a huge year for country music. Rather is be mainstream, Texas, Red Dirt or anything in between. There were a lot of fresh new musicians to hit the scene this year. Some found instant success and some are right on the verge of being the next big thing. We've played more than a few this year on the station but we decided that we'd leave it up to you, the fans and listeners, to sound off on your favorites. Here are our finalists for breakthrough artist of the year. Vote Now!
 
Edens Edge made a big splash in 2011 thanks to their single "Amen." Edens Edge also wowed the Lubbock crowd during the Lady Antebellum show earlier this month. "Amen" will be the first of many hit songs for the talented Edens Edge.
 

James Wesley

Didn't I
 
 
James Wesley is a musician that loves doing what he does best. Singing country music and making new fans worldwide. Wesley found it easy in 2011 to make new fans thanks to two great songs, "Real" and "Didn't I." The future is bright for James Wesley.
 

Joanna Smith

Gettin' Married
 
 
Joanna Smith was a part of our 2010 Taste of Country Christmas Tour with Josh Thompson and we knew right then that this girl was going to hit it big in country music. "Gettin' Married" is spinning away all through 2011 and is the anthem to every girl at Texas Tech. We expect even bigger things from Joanna in 2012.
 

Josh Thompson

Won't Be Lonely Long
 
 
As mentioned for Joanna Smith, Josh Thompson was our headliner on the 2010 Taste of Country Christmas Tour. His sound and stage presence made you think he had been doing it for decades even though he was a fresh face on the music scene. Josh is rapidly becoming a household name and we expect nothing but the biggest and best from him in 2012.
 

Kip Moore

Somethin' About A Truck
 
 
Kip Moore's "Somethin' About A Truck" could easily be one of the biggest songs of 2011. There somethin' about Kip Moore that we really like too. It could be his focus on lyrics or his focus on the joys of owning a truck. We can't quite figure it out but the mystery should make for a great year for Kip in 2012.
 

Sunny Sweeney

From a Table Away
 
 
Sunny Sweeney started getting real attention from country music fans back in 2010 when she released "From A Table Away," but it was 2011 that was the big year for the up and comer from the Lone Star State. Sunny is currently riding high with the release of her newest album, Concrete, which came out a few months back. The future is bright for the Texas sensation and 2012 could be the year of Sunny.
 

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