Apple TV+ today revealed that trailblazing country singer-songwriters, including 2021’s CMA New Artist of the Year Jimmie Allen, four-time Grammy nominee Mickey Guyton and critically acclaimed songwriter, country recording artist and activist Orville Peck joined the groundbreaking new music competition series, “My Kind of Country,” as scouts searching the globe to find talented artists and break the next big country star. Reese Witherspoon and Kacey Musgraves are featured in the series, set to premiere globally on March 24 on Apple TV+.
“My Kind of Country” is a fresh take on a competition series, breaking down barriers in country music by providing an extraordinary opportunity to diverse and innovative artists from around the world. Scouts Allen, Guyton and Peck each handpick a roster of exceptional up-and-coming artists and invite them to the home of country music in Nashville, Tennessee, to showcase their unique sound. The competition winner will receive a life-changing prize from Apple Music, receiving unprecedented support and exposure on the platform.
Witherspoon and Musgraves executive produce alongside Hello Sunshine’s Sara Rea and Lauren Neustadter; Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen; the illustrious Emmy-nominated showrunner Izzie Pick Ibarra (“The Masked Singer,” “Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 3,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Ladies of London”); and Done + Dusted’s Katy Mullan (“The Disney Family Singalong,” John Legend’s “A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy,” “The Little Mermaid Live!,” “Dear Class of 2020,” London Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies). Emmy Award-winning Adam Blackstone serves as music director (musical director to Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Faith Hill, Rihanna and for Super Bowl Halftime Show, the Academy Awards, the Grammy Awards, “The Masked Singer”).
Jimmie Allen
Grammy nominated and 2021’s CMA New Artist of the Year, Jimmie Allen has been blazing trails since the beginning of his breakout career, including two consecutive No. 1 hits off his 2018 debut album “Mercury Lane” and a Best New Artist nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards earlier this year. He was also nominated for Male Artist of the Year at the 57th ACM Awards (which he co-hosted alongside Dolly Parton and Gabby Barrett) and Outstanding New Artist nominee at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards. Allen won both the ACM New Male Artist of the Year award and CMA New Artist of the Year award in April and November 2021, respectively.
In July 2020, Allen released his star-studded collaboration project “Bettie James” and in June 2021, Allen released the project’s follow-up album “Bettie James Gold Edition.” His third album “Tulip Drive” was released June 24, 2022 and its lead single “Down Home” reached the top of the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart in January 2023, marking Allen’s fourth career No. 1 hit. He has amassed more than one billion on-demand streams, graced the cover of Billboard, and performed on the Kennedy Center Honors, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Good Morning America, TODAY, ACM Awards, CMA Awards, CMT Music Awards, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and more. He is a current member of the 45th Kennedy Center Honors Artists Committee.
Much like his approach to music, Allen’s other creative pursuits know no boundaries. His debut picture book, “My Voice Is a Trumpet” – a powerful story about speaking up for what you believe in, at any age – was published in July 2021. Allen is currently on the road as a special guest on Carrie Underwood’s “The Denim & Rhinestones Tour” on all 43 U.S. arena dates through spring 2023.
Mickey Guyton
Capitol Nashville’s Mickey Guyton “raises the rafters and distills emotion with impeccable clarity,” according to NPR. “Her high notes thrill, her nuance in storytelling captivates. A star for our times claims her place.” The four-time Grammy nominee and 2022 TIME Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Guyton recently released songs “I Still Pray,” “How You Love Someone” and “Somethin’ Bout You” following her critically acclaimed 2021 debut album “Remember Her Name.”
With “Remember Her Name,” Mickey made history as the first Black artist to earn a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album. Title track “Remember Her Name” also landed Mickey with Grammy nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance. This follows Mickey’s groundbreaking Grammy nomination as the first-ever Black female solo artist to earn a nod in a country category (Best Country Solo Performance) for “Black Like Me” which she performed as part of the 2021 awards ceremony. “Black Like Me” was named one of the Top 10 all-genre songs of 2020 by NPR, Billboard and the Associated Press. She also co-hosted the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS along with Keith Urban and she was named CMT’s 2021 Breakout Artist of the Year. Audiences around the world watched Mickey deliver a powerful message of inclusivity and togetherness with her “awe-inspiring,” “soulful and soaring” national anthem at Super Bowl 56 in Los Angeles.
Mickey and her music have been featured on the cover of Billboard and profiled in The New Yorker, The New York Times and Rolling Stone. Over the last year she has been featured in American Songwriter, BBC News, CBS This Morning, Ebony, Elle, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Entertainment Weekly, Essence, HITS, Sesame Street, SHERRI, The Jennifer Hudson Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Los Angeles Times, New York Magazine’s Vulture, People magazine, Pollstar, TODAY Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, USA Today, Variety, VIBE, The View, Vogue, The Washington Post and many more.
Orville Peck
Orville Peck is a country recording artist and songwriter known for his deep baritone voice, strong musicianship and songs that are sincere yet bold in their storytelling. Never confirming his identity, Orville, who is openly gay and lived an itinerant life across South Africa and the rural south, is never seen without his signature, fringed mask. Following the release of his self-produced debut album “Pony” in 2019, Orville signed with Columbia Records and released his “Show Pony” EP. Released to immediate critical acclaim early last year, the EP features a duet with global icon Shania Twain and puts Orville’s triumphant songwriting skills and intentional craftsmanship on full display. He then followed that up with “Bronco,” which he released in chapters, alongside a multitude of cinematic videos. He was also hand selected by Lady Gaga for her “Born This Way” 10th Anniversary album. Orville, known for his unique personal style, has collaborated with many fashion brands including, but not limited to, Dior, Michael Kors, Adidas x IVY PARK and Pamela Love amongst others. Known for his live shows, Orville was one of the first artists to return to touring and has toured across the U.S., Europe, Australia and Canada. He has had sold out shows at Hollywood Bowl and Ryman Auditorium, as well as major festival appearances at Lollapalooza, Stage Coach and Coachella amongst others. When Orville is not performing or touring, he lends his time to activism and the causes he is committed to.
