Tucker Beathard

The New Nashville: Tucker Beathard

Every kid can feel pressure to fill their parents shoes, especially when your dad is an award-winning songwriter. But for 21-year-old Tucker Beathard, music is a passion that's all his own.

Son of Casey Beathard, who's written hits for George Strait, Eric Church and Kenny Chesney, Tucker grew up surrounded by great music. He taught himself guitar and drums, and found himself diving head-first into country songwriting. Beathard felt so passionate about music that he opted out of a college baseball scholarship to focus on writing.

That choice seems to be paying off quickly. Once only known as the rebellious spirit that inspired Eric Church's hit song "Homeboy," Tucker is now an artist all his own. His single "Rock On" was co-written with his father. It's a clever, modern take on online personas mixed with a tale of classic heartbreak. The track peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Country Airplay charts, which is no easy feat for a new artist.

His 2016 EP Fight Like Hell shows off the maturity and artistry that comes with playing alongside seasoned artists like Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert. It's obvious he inherited his dad's talents in the songwriting realm. But there's also plenty of youthful and authentic rock and roll influence in his music. That courage to experiment is one of the many traits that make him stand out from the ever-growing pack of country newcomers. If you get the chance to experience his live show, you'll see obvious star power that's sure to push his music up the charts for years to come.

What He Sounds Like: The edgy twang of Jason Aldean, the fresh, experimental vibe of Thomas Rhett and the Southern swagger of Eric Church.

Required Listening: "20-10 Tennessee", a regretful heartbreak tune set to the narrative of a dramatic face-off between the Vols and Alabama.

See Also: 12 Rising Country Artists to Watch in 2017

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