Chancellor Lawson and Joshua Quimby Drive Fall Country Rotation
Spotify data shows the duo’s independent tracks outperformed expectations while major labels push new releases.
By Jonathan Ramirez ·
Chancellor Lawson and Joshua Quimby are capturing the attention of country music fans this fall. Their recent releases are gaining traction among listeners seeking raw, guitar-driven sounds. The pair offers a distinct alternative to the polished productions currently dominating the genre.
Lawson’s track “Ups and Downs” sits below 90,000 streams on Spotify. That number contrasts sharply with the platform’s top tier. Artists like Tyler Childers, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, Zach Bryan, and Kasey Musgraves each command more than 10 million monthly listeners. Despite the gap in total volume, Lawson’s live performance of “Ups and Downs” gained a foothold on TikTok. That viral moment pushed his work into a wider audience without the backing of a major label.
Quimby holds a similar position in the market. His song “To the Choir” serves as an entry point for many new listeners. The track features gritty vocals and complex guitar work. Quimby is the sole credited writer on the song. His other recommended track, “Ol’ Self-Control,” showcases a melancholic tone that appeals to fans of alt-country. Both artists rely on their own instruments and voices to build their sound, avoiding layered production.
Kashus Culpepper rounds out the group of emerging names. He is the most popular of the three on this list. Several of his songs have crossed the one million listen mark on Spotify. His unreleased track “Sleeping Together” is available only as a live video on YouTube. The recording features a gravelly vocal delivery that matches his guitar chords. The performance lacks the polish of a studio session but maintains a consistent energy.
Lawson’s “Without a Fight” adds a personal dimension to his catalog. He wrote and performed the entire track. The lyrics reflect on his relationship with his parents. That context gains weight because his father spent 14 years in prison before his release. Lawson released the song nearly two years after that event. The track begins with the sound of birds chirping, setting a rural morning scene.
The rise of these artists coincides with a surge in new listeners for the genre. Songs like Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and Buck Owens’ “Made in Japan” have driven that growth on TikTok. Many new fans now look beyond the headline acts. They seek out musicians who offer a direct, unadorned style. Lawson, Quimby, and Culpepper fit that specific demand.
