The Boot Staff

On Jan. 13, 1968, Cash played a concert at California's Folsom Prison.

On Jan. 3, 2000, Rimes kicked off the new year -- and the new millennium -- on a high note.

Nelson's trademark braids make him one of the most instantly recognizable celebrities in the world -- but he looked a little (okay, a lot) different in his early years.

Happy birthday, AJ!

On Oct. 11, 2003, McGraw's hit "Real Good Man" landed at the top of the charts.

Nothing beats a cool country soundtrack to crank up while you're exploring those wide-open spaces in your chosen mode of transportation.

On Aug. 27, 2003, Urban's 'Golden Road' album was certified platinum, for sales of one million copies.

Do you agree?

The Boot's 2021 artists to watch vary in genre, style, influence and background, but these country, Americana, folk and bluegrass newcomers are all poised to have breakout years. Their names are ones to keep your eyes (and ears) on: artists you'll want to hear early, so you can brag that you knew about them first.

Parton had already been a country star for a number of years by the time she released her 16th studio album, but the crossover success of the album launched the second phase of her career, in pop music, and earned the superstar her first gold album.