Discover the Best New Country Music in Illinois

From the legendary honky-tonks of Chicago to the vast farmlands of the heartland, Illinois country music is a powerful mix of city grit and rural soul. Known as The Prairie State, Illinois has a sound shaped by blues roots and hardworking Midwestern values. We’re here to introduce you to the up-and-coming singers, songwriters, and bands who are defining the sound of Illinois’s next generation.

Featured Artists in Illinois

This curated list, updated for Fall/Winter 2025, showcases the rising stars making waves across the state. From modern country rock to traditional heartland ballads, listen to their latest tracks and discover the diverse sound of modern Illinois.

TOP PLAYED

  • Jelly Roll
  • Morgan Wallen
  • Luke Combs
  • Scotty McCreery feat. Hootie & The Blowfish
  • Jordan Davis

Featured Emerging Artist
in Illinois

Austin Martin and the Herd

SOCIAL MEDIA

Explore Illinois's Local Music Scene by County

Country music is local. Whether you’re in a major city or a small farming community, there’s a unique sound to be found. To help you discover talent in your own backyard, we’ve created a page for every county in Illinois. Select a county below to drill down and find artists in your specific area.

  • Adams County
  • Alexander County
  • Bond County
  • Boone County
  • Brown County
  • Bureau County
  • Calhoun County
  • Carroll County
  • Cass County
  • Champaign County
  • Christian County
  • Clark County
  • Clay County
  • Clinton County
  • Coles County
  • Cook County
  • Crawford County
  • Cumberland County
  • DeKalb County
  • DeWitt County
  • Douglas County
  • DuPage County
  • Edgar County
  • Edwards County
  • Effingham County
  • Fayette County
  • Ford County
  • Franklin County
  • Fulton County
  • Gallatin County
  • Greene County
  • Grundy County
  • Hamilton County
  • Hancock County
  • Hardin County
  • Henderson County
  • Henry County
  • Iroquois County
  • Jackson County
  • Jasper County
  • Jefferson County
  • Jersey County
  • Jo Daviess County
  • Johnson County
  • Kane County
  • Kankakee County
  • Kendall County
  • Knox County
  • Lake County
  • LaSalle County
  • Lawrence County
  • Lee County
  • Livingston County
  • Logan County
  • McDonough County
  • McHenry County
  • McLean County
  • Macon County
  • Macoupin County
  • Madison County
  • Marion County
  • Marshall County
  • Mason County
  • Massac County
  • Menard County
  • Mercer County
  • Monroe County
  • Montgomery County
  • Morgan County
  • Moultrie County
  • Ogle County
  • Peoria County
  • Perry County
  • Piatt County
  • Pike County
  • Pope County
  • Pulaski County
  • Putnam County
  • Randolph County
  • Richland County
  • Rock Island County
  • Saline County
  • Sangamon County
  • Schuyler County
  • Scott County
  • Shelby County
  • St. Clair County
  • Stark County
  • Stephenson County
  • Tazewell County
  • Union County
  • Vermilion County
  • Wabash County
  • Warren County
  • Washington County
  • Wayne County
  • White County
  • Whiteside County
  • Will County
  • Williamson County
  • Winnebago County
  • Woodford County

Are You a Country Artist in Illinois?

We want to hear from you. If you’re a local artist making original country music anywhere in Illinois, we want to help you reach new fans. Our platform is designed to spotlight emerging talent from every corner of the country.