With Garth Brooks out of the country music picture, at least for the time being, the title “King of Country”, if there is such a thing, is up for grabs. There are serious contenders of course; we’re certainly not dissing Alan, or Toby or Tim, but the frenzied adulation, and record sales, that Garth evoked is absent from the current country music scene.

Who is going to take his place? If the music business was like a shooting match, the big winner would be a straight shooter. However, since the road to the top of the charts is more like an obstacle course than a target, it’s impossible to tell who might overcome all the challenges and setbacks to go the distance. Only time can really tell.

On the following pages, Dish introduces 9 young newcomers to Nashville’s country music scene, each possessing good looks, exceptional talent, and a burning passion for music. Could one of them emerge as country’s next big thing?