Parker McCollum

Parker McCollum won't be pigeonholed, and that's by design -- the Texas native is all about paving his own road. He spent his summers working on a cattle ranch for his blue-collar grandfather, who also introduced him to country music. Hearing George Strait's "Amarillo by Morning" for the first time, McCollum was struck. "That is still, to this day, one of my favorite songs, favorite melodies of all time," he told Billboard in 2020. By 13, McCollum began writing songs; by 16, he began playing clubs. For inspiration, he turned to Texas troubadours like Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, and James McMurtry, lyrical writers who built rich worlds and characters in the confines of a single song. After graduating from high school, McCollum headed to Austin, Texas, the self-proclaimed "Music Capital of the World." A stint in college didn't last -- McCollum spent more time in class writing songs than paying attention. Dropping out, he made a promise to his father: One day, I'll sign a major record deal.

McCollum worked the red dirt circuit for years, playing empty bars that slowly began filling up. He released his first full-length album, The Limestone Kid, on his own label in 2015. McCollum wrote nine of the 11 tracks himself. The Austin Chronicle said, "It's too early to declare The Limestone Kid debut of the year, but it's already one to beat." His follow-up, the self-released Probably Wrong: Session One, was McCollum's first to hit the Billboard charts. Then, after five years of full-time touring, McCollum made good on his promise, signing with Universal Music Group.

"Pretty Heart," his first single with UMG, went straight to the top of the country charts. It appears on his album, Gold Chain Cowboy, the title reflecting McCollum's desire for success -- a man that's earned enough to wear a gold chain -- with the down-home appeal of living as a simple cowboy, just like his grandfather. Chances are, Parker McCollum will have a little of both. After winning New Male Artist of the Year at the 2022 American Country Music Awards, an exciting future awaits.