There are at least 10 reasons to be excited about country music in 2014. Some of the best songs of the year may come from newcomers -- men, women and groups hungry for their very first taste of radio success. A few have found it on television, while others were popular in Canada before turning south to Nashville. The No. 1 artist on this list of newcomers to watch has two hits on the radio right now!

While much has been made of the lack of frontrunning female artists in country music, it's not because there aren't talented ladies out there. Women claim four of the 10 choices on our #NextUp: Artists to Watch in 2014 list. Two in this collection became famous on TV first, but others have been building their careers the old-fashioned way. That means endless writing, touring, promoting and rejection before finally getting that chance -- and boy did they ever make the most of it. You just may find your new favorite artist here!