The Saving Country Music 2023 Artist of the Year

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The only way the original roots of American country music have been able to endure in popular culture throughout all of these years is by finding willing hosts that allow the music to exist in their hearts, and then find ways to express that music in a manner that makes it relevant to modern ears.
Saving Country Music’s Artist of the Year award is not pegged to any current album or song releases, touring purses, or chart performance. It goes to the individual who most embodies the preservation and popularization of the most authentic version of country music that’s possible. Though there are plenty of others who are guilty of this in 2023, there was one artist that most embodied the ideas behind the effort to save country music.
Her name is Sierra Ferrell.
Like some sort of woodland creature captured in a folk story that’s more myth and legend than physical manifestation, Sierra Ferrell dazzles the mind and imagination, arrests you in a spell of charisma, and steals your attention until nothing else enters your thoughts except for the marvelous noise she makes so you can attain full immersion under her spell.
Sierra Ferrell is Appalachia roots music personified, and becomes the very characters she writes and sings about in her music when she takes the stage. In 2023, Sierra Ferrell took a giant leap forward for women in independent country and roots by finally giving us a headliner-level performer. Often this action of crowning a headliner results in an artist becoming aloof, isolated, and sometimes even arrogant. For Sierra Ferrell, the opposite was the case.
In 2023, there were numerous occasions when Sierra Ferrell illustrated her openness, and her sincere enthusiasm for the music. In February, she attended Dale Watson’s Ameripolitan Awards in Memphis, Tennessee, ultimately winning the award for Western Swing Female. She also turned in one of the gathering’s greatest performances at the Guesthouse at Graceland theater.
But this was just the beginning. By February, Sierra Ferrell was already beyond needing help from something like Ameripolitan, which looks to highlight performers that AmericanaFest and others won’t. Sierra had already won Emerging Artist of the Year at the Americana Music Awards in 2022, and was already booked for major appearances throughout 2023.
Sierra Ferrell didn’t just show up to Ameripolitan though. She actively participated in the festivities throughout the weekend, jamming with other performers into the early hours of the morning, modeling in the vintage fashion show, and generally immersing herself in the community.
A similar scenario transpired at the 2023 Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Along with performing her own set, Sierra Ferrell sat in with the traditional bluegrass outfit of Jerry Douglas called The Earls of Leicester. Then many lucky folks camped out at the festival got to see Ferrell perform into the wee hours of the night and morning as she sang around campfires and serenaded the Colorado mountains.
Most memorably though, when Sierra Ferrell sang and played her new 2023 song “The Fox Hunt” at Telluride, it caused such a wave of uncontrollable euphoria throughout the crowd, it bust through like dam being compromised, and the crowd erupted in a manner rarely or ever seen aside from inebriated rave parties.
For half a hundred years, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival has held firmly to certain traditions and decorum for how the crowd is supposed to behave for performers ahead of the main headliners, namely that nobody is allowed to stand and dance directly in front of the stage so the folks near the front can be allowed to sit and enjoy the music early on. But Sierra Ferrell and “Fox Hunt” broke that 50 year tradition, and nobody was complaining.
It’s that nexus between preserving traditions and defying them that makes a Saving Country Music Artist of the Year. Sierra Ferrell’s music is fiercely tied to the folk and early country traditions of Appalachia and American music as a whole. But it’s the imagery she evokes that is wholly original and groundbreaking in the roots space, though still respectful of the medium. Her elaborate stage costumes and other flourishes have become a museum’s worth of iconic symbolism.
Some will point out that their experience with Sierra Ferrell in 2023 was somewhat different. For folks in the Upper Midwest, they were left frustrated when Sierra Ferrell cancelled on them, and for people in certain locations, it was the second time a Sierra Ferrell show had been postponed. The inconvenience that last minute cancellations cause for patrons has been a growing problem throughout music since the pandemic, and some of these cancellations are inexcusable.
But you also have to commend Sierra Ferrell for being so outspoken about the importance of mental health to musicians, and making sure our favorite performers don’t flame out or even worse. In previous eras, the mantra was the show must go on, and often with permanent, and sometimes catastrophic outcomes.
Sierra Ferrell is not perfect. She is beautifully flawed and gorgeously broken. This is part of her appeal. But don’t conflate that with her being inferior, or fragile. There is a spirit and a fire within her that is incapable of quenching. She’s like a controlled eruption on the stage, and that euphoric enthusiasm for the music is conferred to the audience.
It’s 2023, and about to be 2024. Old-time guitar and fiddle music is not supposed to be the du jour of the day. But through her sincere passion and spellbinding talent, Sierra Ferrell has flipped the script. In a moment of total technological immersion, folks are reaching out out for something real, something raw, something tied to earthen reality in tangible ways. They find that in the music and presentation of Sierra Ferrell.
Her saga is just beginning. 2024 will see a new album, and even bigger opportunities. But 2023 will always be the year that the world woke up to the majestic beauty of Sierra Ferrell.
READ: From Unhoused Busker to Headliner: The Rise of Sierra Ferrell

December 20, 2023 @ 9:59 am
There were a good few contenders this year. It has been a very good year for country music. She is a worthy winner.
December 20, 2023 @ 10:00 am
Meh. So overrated, don’t understand the appeal at all.
Joe Stamm had a much better year and his music is so much better.
December 20, 2023 @ 10:47 am
Not really a fan of Sierra but REALLY don’t understand all the Joe Stamm hype.. too much like classic rock for me
December 20, 2023 @ 10:57 am
Definitely has a rock element to his music. Perhaps that the Midwest influence coming through? I’m from the Midwest so to me, it sounds great. The lyrical content is fantastic too IMO. I would say give him a few spins to see if it grows on ya, if not, there’s enough music for everyone no matter what you like.
December 20, 2023 @ 11:01 am
The Joe Stamm Band is great and put out a landmark album this year that’s currently competing as a nominee for Album of the Year. I think that’s where they deserve to be recognized. Perhaps in the future they can compete for Artist of the Year.
December 20, 2023 @ 2:10 pm
Not even close. Sierra is a phenomenon.
December 22, 2023 @ 6:54 pm
Joe Stamm is terrible. I can’t understand why some people are trying to make him a thing. To even put him in the conversation with an artist of Sierra Ferrells caliber is laughable.
December 20, 2023 @ 10:08 am
Excellent choice! I was lucky enough to catch 3 of her shows. She’s not for everyone, but if you go to a live show, you will be converted and convinced. Amazing talent.
December 20, 2023 @ 1:36 pm
Exactly! The album is getting a bit long in the tooth and I’d say she’s gotten a lot better in the last couple of years. Really shows in the live performance.
December 21, 2023 @ 5:07 am
Sierra Ferrell is the real deal. Go see a live show, and you’ll know what we’re talking about.
Congratulations Sierra, well done!<3
December 20, 2023 @ 10:21 am
Agreed Jim. She’s one in a million talent. No exaggeration meant. And to think last year, I was very dismissive of her, that all changed seeing her live.
December 20, 2023 @ 10:24 am
One of my favorites in any genre right now, great pick! Hope we get a full album from her in 2024!
December 20, 2023 @ 10:27 am
This isn’t my kind of music, but I respect her and she is blowing up. Definitely a worthy choice.
December 20, 2023 @ 10:31 am
A few names flickered across my mind, but this one makes a ton of sense. Well deserved!
December 20, 2023 @ 10:58 am
I don’t know if I had heard Sierra before Trig’s “see em while you can” recommendation, but I’m glad I went to that show! Not only did she sell out one of our best venues (as packed as I’d ever see the place) but she brought along Nick Shoulders. NEVER thought I’d get to see him in Southern California. In a testament to her star power, Nick Shoulders is now headlining that same venue less than one year later!
Great honor, well deserved and I wish her nothing but continuing success!
December 20, 2023 @ 11:00 am
meh…hipster poser. pass.
December 20, 2023 @ 1:43 pm
Her lived experience really says otherwise.
December 20, 2023 @ 1:52 pm
And the music speaks for itself as well.
December 20, 2023 @ 2:20 pm
Oh please. Define “hipster poser”, I need a good laugh. You want to see some posers? Any dude out there who always wears a cowboy hat not names Dwight.
December 20, 2023 @ 3:03 pm
Boring, cliche, a caricature of a country of singer. The talent is there, but not the substance. If she was a movie character she’d be Marty Mcfly in back to the future three when Doc Brown dressed him in the ridiculous cowboy outfit because that’s how he thought cowboys really looked in the old west.
December 20, 2023 @ 3:09 pm
Have you seen some of the outfits worn by some of the best country music singers, musicians and performers throughout its history? It’s showbiz man. People have always played up the style a bit but that doesn’t take away from the talent or quality. Some would argue it adds to the performance aspect. If the talent and quality are there, who cares.
December 20, 2023 @ 10:30 pm
She has the best fashion sense in music today. As crazy as it sounds fashion wise she reminds me of Bjork who I admire a lot. You just never know what you’ll get. Think what you want but Trigger was spot on with this choice.
Still waiting for you to define what a “hipster poser” is.
December 29, 2023 @ 4:16 am
WV girls are a type all unto their own.
December 20, 2023 @ 3:03 pm
Lazy take. If you don’t like what she’s doing, fine. But to dismiss her as inauthentic, despite her roots, background, talent, hard work and impact she’s made in uplifting a genre/subgenre that’s not exactly known for its widespread popularity, is just lazy. You either don’t get it or you’re refusing to just bc it’s not your thing. But that doesn’t negate her authenticity, talent or impact.
December 20, 2023 @ 8:03 pm
Check out the excellent interview she did on the Converse Cowboy channel for a lot more on her background and how she got to where she got to. She’s very much not a hipster poser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej0G7_0H5hs
December 22, 2023 @ 9:02 am
Thanks. I hadn’t seen this before. It started out a little shaky, but turned into one of the best interviews I’ve seen.
December 23, 2023 @ 4:16 pm
HE IS AMAZING. I absolutely love his interviews and I wish he was better known. He covers everything from singers to leatherworkers and ranchers and pretty much everything to do with Western life. And the question sees asks are often really deep and unexpected and he seems great at drawing people into a conversation, like the very best interviewers always are
December 20, 2023 @ 10:18 pm
You spelled “I know nothing about Sierra Ferrell” wrong.
Thanks for reminding me to listen to Crystal Gayle though. “Wrong Road Again” is a classic. Great female country singers often go unrecognized/quickly forgotten, and are over criticized for physical attributes. Like the way they dress, or heaven forbid, for having unusually long hair.
December 20, 2023 @ 11:00 am
Excellent choice, Trigger.
December 20, 2023 @ 11:07 am
This is a great choice, but I am confused because I didn’t think Kyle liked female artists.
December 20, 2023 @ 8:07 pm
So I care about the issue of women in country music very much, and I don’t think Saving Country Music is part of the problem.
Kyle posts a good number of female artists, more than a lot of country social media accounts and more than some other FB groups/youtube channels, curated playlists, and other places to find new music. I was just running a twitter thread about this and was shocked at how many people released their year-end Top 10 (or Top whatever) with way fewer women on them than usually happens- and it didn’t feel like a bad year for female singers doing records. This site was actually my example of “you don’t have to look very hard to find good female artists, kyle just wrote about a bunch of them and that’s a small sample of what’s out there”.
link to the thread in my user name- people had many other artist suggestions if you’re interested in this topic.
December 21, 2023 @ 3:54 pm
You must be new around here.
December 20, 2023 @ 11:20 am
Great choice, Trigger. I’ve burned myself out on her record by listening to it too many times, twice. Going on round three as we speak. Looking forward to the new record in 2024.
December 20, 2023 @ 11:29 am
She’s great and I hope we have her playing music for a long time. She’s her own thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E-NAg4nH8A
December 20, 2023 @ 11:56 am
Hmmm, ok. Not going to disagree, but really can’t get into her music. I tried a few times.
But good luck to her, its a good direction for music.
December 20, 2023 @ 12:13 pm
Trigger- Any interest in proving a link or list of previous artists of the year at the bottom of this article? I’m sure I could also do a search, but it might be interesting to quickly see previous artists who have been given this designation. Just a thought.
December 20, 2023 @ 12:48 pm
Yes, this page has links to all of the previous Artist, Album, and Song of the Year winners, and each year’s Essential Albums list:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/best-of-lists/
December 20, 2023 @ 12:23 pm
I tried her music, but her over the top phrasing and weird “shhh” thing she does in the back of her throat just makes me nope out. I don’t understand why females in country just can’t sing with a clear voice these days. Either they do super weird phrasing or scream sing.
December 20, 2023 @ 1:31 pm
I don’t like all of her music, but listen to a live version of ‘Why’d you do it”
December 20, 2023 @ 1:41 pm
She singing with her own tremendous voice! Nothing like it. Variety is good.
December 20, 2023 @ 1:53 pm
Maybe they’re sick of being referred to as females and that’s how they cope.
December 20, 2023 @ 5:31 pm
Nothing wrong with the word female.
December 21, 2023 @ 10:57 pm
Even disregarding what is “politically correct”, the word “female” is an adjective, and should be used as such.
The women of country killed it this year and I am happy to see Sierra recognized for her efforts. I do not care about the amount of women added to any lists, I simply appreciate the recognition of quality music. This award was a long time coming.
December 20, 2023 @ 12:25 pm
I did NOT get her at first but I’m coming around. I’m not 100% there, but I think I will be very soon. Good choice.
December 20, 2023 @ 12:29 pm
Are there really no videos of the Fox Hunt performance at Telluride? Would love to see it if there are.
December 20, 2023 @ 12:53 pm
The only video I’ve ever seen is bits and pieces. I was standing at the side of the stage at a weird angle and tried to take some video, but it was pretty terrible at capturing the moment.
You can find board audio of her set though:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/best-of-lists/
December 20, 2023 @ 12:38 pm
There should be a mic drop for this choice because it’s absolutely on target!
December 20, 2023 @ 1:27 pm
100% Totally agree.
December 20, 2023 @ 1:27 pm
I agree that Sierra is a special stand-out artist. There is a depth to her music and singing.
And hopefully you at least get a handie from her for this write-up.
December 20, 2023 @ 1:31 pm
Respect her talent but don’t really enjoy listening to her. Maybe I’ll give it another shot
December 20, 2023 @ 2:04 pm
Sierra on record is great, however Sierra in person is on a whole other plane and deserves the praise
December 20, 2023 @ 2:16 pm
Those who don’t get it never saw her live. She is absolutely the Artist Of The Year. I saw her at Tip’s here in New Orleans and again at Willie’s Picnic in Austin doing her own set and jumping on stage with Shakey Graves. I also got to meet her at The Continental Club while hanging out with Tyler’s band there. She is just plain an amazing performer who plays by her own rules. She is easily the most interesting gal out there today. Can’t wait to see her and her pal Nikki Lane at The Ryman in March.
December 20, 2023 @ 7:54 pm
Damn that Ryman show is going to be great because Nikki is also awesome live! I saw Sierra at Railbird this year and she was by far one of the best performers of the whole festival. By the time she finished the area where she was playing was packed
December 20, 2023 @ 2:31 pm
What a treat it was to stumble across her music a few months ago! I get that she’s different but I happen to like that aspect of her. She can sing, write, play instruments very well – what’s not to like?
Good choice!
December 20, 2023 @ 4:13 pm
Why did I immediately know it was Sierra? My only gripe is that she should be SCM Artist of the Year every year.
December 20, 2023 @ 5:30 pm
Managed to catch a 45 minute set from Sierra at The Long Road Festival in the UK back in August. Highlight of the weekend, simply mesmerising!
December 20, 2023 @ 5:30 pm
Bully for you!
December 21, 2023 @ 5:24 am
What do you mean by that comment?
December 21, 2023 @ 12:40 pm
I’m a Theodore Roosevelt junkie. It was the term he’d use for excellence or superb. The more enthusiastic he declared “bully for you!” the stronger the hand shake that accompanied it.
I borrowed it from Teddy to express my excitement for Trig’s choice for SCM artist of the year.
December 20, 2023 @ 6:50 pm
Really hope the production on her new album catches the magic of her live sound. I feel like thats going to be really hard to do but catching that vibe is a must to really appreciate her.
December 21, 2023 @ 3:13 pm
Though I’ve been privy only to what’s on YouTube, I feel that so far her Washington by the Sea album has done the best job of catching her live magic.
December 20, 2023 @ 7:22 pm
Great choice! Couldn’t agree with you more Trigger!
Thanks for turning us on to so much awesome music!
December 20, 2023 @ 7:44 pm
I don’t know. For someone to win this award, I would think they would have at least had a current album out. I personally didn’t care for fox hunt. I liked her song with Bryan and especially the one she did with ole crow but oh well.
December 20, 2023 @ 8:11 pm
I kind of agree with this sentiment generally but she’s one of those current artists who are making waves in other ways too- touring, singles, videos that get zillions of views, and in terms of the number of people talking about her, her shows, etc. She’s not just touring old material and I think she’s plenty relevant to this year.
December 21, 2023 @ 11:29 am
He specifically says that’s not a requirement for this category.
December 20, 2023 @ 9:12 pm
Thanks for the love Trigger.
PS: Send me your deets so I can arrange that handy
December 20, 2023 @ 9:53 pm
Sure will Sierra Strait.
December 20, 2023 @ 9:25 pm
Great choice, phenomenal artist!
December 20, 2023 @ 10:59 pm
This was a phenomenal year for Sierra. She hit her stride in ‘22 on first headliner tour with Josie Toney on fiddle where I caught the sold out show in Portland. https://youtu.be/Wti-N3Q0ZSc?si=PHSwaGn7m5jSgbVF
This spring (without Josie who put out her own album), caught a wonderful set at Gruene Hall in Texas. https://youtu.be/AlezcLFxLhA?si=YPAgxp3qDACv0gq_
Hoping she keeps growing her songwriting & performing but not sure we’ll see her in such intimate venues next time around. The woman has star power.
December 21, 2023 @ 8:06 am
Sierra opens up space for more backwoods weird, which is a good thing. Down here at the barn, the county is full of eccentrics. But to me, the fur-and-piercing thing comes across as camp, like Janet Klein doing musically excellent renditions of naughty songs from the Twenties. I’ll probably take what Sierra Ferrell represents over Taylor Swift, though.
Maybe.
December 21, 2023 @ 11:13 pm
I am so taken aback by the negative comments here. I guess it is to be expected. I recognize that male country singers are equally as criticized for physical attributes/stylistic choices/quirks that don’t sit well with everyone.
That being said, it is a surprise to hear these things about a woman who, in my opinion and maybe mine only, has an extremely traditional sound. I would like to argue that many of her “aesthetics” also pay homage to 40s-60s contemporary country, but I am not educated enough on the styles to make that argument. Suppose it’s more of a feeling, and I am surprised that so many write it off as fake or off-putting.
Whatever. I hope she keeps on the way she is. Seeing her in March thanks to this blog, and I know it’ll be a hell of a show.
December 22, 2023 @ 2:21 am
…somehow i had the notion that it would not be morgan wallen. ms ferrell is, of course, also a worthy choice, although, she looks a lot like a (attractive) commie on that picture above, some around here might feel. on second thought, what might be appropriate apparel in tscheljabinsk, siberia, should do the trick in telluride, colorado as well, i guess. congrats to her on the title and the outfit.
December 22, 2023 @ 10:45 am
I just can’t get into her, but to each their own. I would have gone with Zach Bryan or Turnpike this year.
December 22, 2023 @ 5:18 pm
I’ve made my judgement on her plain. The sheer musical talent this gal has is stunning. Live is where you see it and feel it full force. Her guitar playing is quite good, some finger style some flat picked arpeggios, and even leads. But she’s equally a threat on fiddle. But the secret sauce is the voice. That thing is a loaded weapon. The range, the control, the technique, effortlessly going from Appalachian mountain style, to 60s honky tonk, to 1930s cabaret jazz and all points in between. She’s mindblowing.No exaggeration.
I see a lot of folks turned off by the costume choices and the weirdness. I get it. It is weird. It’s not like growing up and seeing Patty Loveless or Reba or a Jo Dee Messina at your state fair. Those type of acts are your bedrock country shows that are relatable to Country folks.
Sierra Ferrell is much more in the lunatic fringe, where it’s equally a vaudeville act and borders on performance art. Maybe she’s the Tom Waits of Country, female version. I dunno. Yeah there’s a hipster presence for sure at many of her shows. At this point, the Americana folks are pretty much anointing her for sainthood. So I’m not surprised to see a lot of head scratching and questioning from commentors. The average classic country fan who lives in corn country with kids in 4H and hunts and lives the rural life, looks at this stuff and shakes their head. This is a gal who ran away from home in a west Virginia ghetto, hopped trains across the country, became a stoner and busked in cities all over the place and hanging with the art crowd. That’s just who Sierra Ferrell is, she ain’t the blonde homecoming queen with a princess tiara, living in a gated mansion. And that’s why I think the more rural heartland crowd and by extension the industry folks don’t get her, and never will. For me, she gets a hall pass on the weirdness, because the talent is off the chain amazing. Again, I thoroughly was turned off at first by all of it, but man oh man is she a musical genius, and I have nothing but praise.
December 22, 2023 @ 7:51 pm
I appreciate that this comment lays out the reasoning behind some of the negative comments. Brings some perspective to the issue without saying anything unreasonably critical.
December 22, 2023 @ 7:45 pm
Would not have known about Sierra if not for this site.
Really started paying attention since her video, The Sea.
Yeah, she has it, and is all that.
Merry Christmas, Sierra
December 23, 2023 @ 11:46 pm
I’ll be one of the last here, and that’s fine………”Artist of the Year” is not a category I ever think about throughout the year and when I saw Trig put Sierra up I was thinking……ahhh, I dunno she didn’t even put out an album, but I did like Fox Hunt etc… and I saw her here @ SPACE a couple years ago so I know she’s great live, but I’m not gonna lie, I was too lazy to read the 14 paragraphs he wrote kissing her ass……(Trigs a great paragrapher we could all learn from) BUT when I watched the video of the article where you could here his tonal inflections spelling out exactly why he feels the way he does, it swayed me and won me over and I’m glad he picked a woman of such talent and I just want to say Trig I’m becoming a big fan of the video article……a nice job of weaving in graphics with your smooth delivery I think it’s a game changer, you do a great job! Like someone else on here said…….it’s a holiday, take a break a dude you don’t have to work 24/7 365 we’ll all survive.
December 24, 2023 @ 12:20 pm
Agreed! I caught her sold out show in Clearwater, FL. She and her band were absolutely amazing. We even got a taste of two songs that’ll be on the new album; they’re fantastic!
December 29, 2023 @ 11:38 pm
Don’t really have a good informed opinion about who the artist of the year should be.
I do though have a wish for 2024 which is for some of the 90s stars who are still kicking around to really make an impression with new music.
Part of that equation is also, of course, for country fans to actually pay attention to any such efforts. Also, to pay literally, as in concert ticket sales and such.
Two names spring immediately to mind in terms of both talent and willingness/hunger: Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis.
January 21, 2024 @ 10:32 pm
Congratulations Sierra. You are #1