If you haven’t been paying attention to CMT’s Next Women of Country, let me introduce you to the coolest club in town—where the baddest, boldest, and twangiest women in country music get the boost they deserve. Since its inception in 2013, this initiative has been throwing much-needed shine on female artists in a genre that still has a frustrating tendency to treat women like supporting acts rather than headliners. (Looking at you, bro-country.)
Now, buckle up because the 2025 class has arrived, and honey, these ladies are bringing their A-game. Meet the seven new faces of country music domination: Alexandra Kay, Dasha, Kaitlin Butts, Kat Luna, Lanie Gardner, Meghan Patrick, and MŌRIAH.
Meet the Class of 2025
Each of these women brings something fresh to the table, and trust me, you’ll want to add them to your playlists ASAP.
Alexandra Kay
You’re missing out if you haven’t gone down an Alexandra Kay rabbit hole yet. With over 8.5 million followers, she’s mastered making social media feel like a front porch jam session. Her 2023 album All I’ve Ever Known went No. 1 on iTunes, and she’s been out here opening for Jelly Roll and landing on major soundtracks. And let’s not forget Cupid’s A Cowgirl—a banger if there ever was one.
Dasha
Dasha’s Austin (Boots Stop Workin’) was basically the Friends in Low Places of 2024—one of the biggest country anthems of the year. She sold out her first global tour, played Stagecoach, rocked the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, and will be on the road with Kane Brown and Thomas Rhett in 2025. If confidence was a person, it’d be Dasha.
Kaitlin Butts
She reimagined Oklahoma! into a modern-day country album, proving that Broadway and honky tonks are a match made in heaven. Rolling Stone calls her “unafraid to test boundaries,” and we call her the next great storyteller in country music. Catch her on tour with Lainey Wilson this summer—because seeing her live is the only way to do her justice.
Kat Luna
A former American Idol contestant and half of the duo Kat & Alex, Kat Luna is striking out solo and making waves with her Cuban roots and powerhouse vocals. Her debut EP That Girl proves she’s got the chops to stand tall among country’s best. Prepare for goosebumps.
Lanie Gardner
You might know her from that viral cover of Dreams, but Lanie Gardner is more than a TikTok sensation. Her debut album A Songwriter’s Diary is a raw, stunning journey through heartbreak and hope. She’s toured with Jelly Roll, and in 2025, she’s heading to Stagecoach—so get ready for her to take over.
Meghan Patrick
Meghan Patrick is the artist who makes you want to shotgun a beer and scream her lyrics at the top of your lungs. A two-time CCMA Female Artist of the Year, she blends grit, soul, and storytelling like no other. Her album Golden Child is a therapy session wrapped in a country-rock banger.
MŌRIAH
Blending mariachi with country, MŌRIAH is breaking barriers and making history. Her bilingual hit Hasta Mañana is just the beginning. If there’s any justice in the world, she’ll be a household name by 2026.
The Legacy Continues
With alumni like Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Lainey Wilson, and Carly Pearce, NWOC has a solid track record of producing country superstars. And this year’s class? They’re bringing the heat, the heart, and the honky tonk grit.
So, country radio—are you paying attention yet? Because these women aren’t just knocking on the door; they’re kicking it down. And we’ll be here, front row, cheering them on.
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