Apple TV+ is set to release a new competition series called “My Kind of Country,” executive-produced by Kacey Musgraves and Reese Witherspoon. The show is different from other music competition shows such as “American Idol” or “The Voice” in that it prioritizes inclusivity as much as it does finding new talent. The celebrity talent scouts for the show include Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton, and Orville Peck, and the series will premiere on March 24. In this article, we will take a look at everyone appearing in “My Kind of Country.”
The 12 contestants appearing in ‘My Kind of Country’ have already been selected by Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton, and Orville Peck. The contestants are broken up into three teams under these artists.
Beyond race and sexuality, the show also highlights geographic and linguistic diversity. Contestant Ale Aguirre, who hails from Chihuahua, Mexico, sings in Spanish because he doesn’t feel he can express himself as well in English. Only four of the 12 contestants are from the United States, with others coming from South Africa and India, as well as California and Nashville.
Jimmie Allen’s Artists:
Ale Aguirre
Hails from Chihuahua, Mexico, and incorporates the mariachi, norteño, banda, and other genres she grew up with into her bilingual lyrics. She self-taught herself to play the guitar at 16 and is now carving out a name for herself as an independent singer-songwriter with a strong following on her YouTube channel.
Dhruv Visvanath
Originally from New Delhi, India is a composer, singer-songwriter, and producer who began his musical journey at seven years old. Following his father’s death when he was 16, he focused on songwriting as an outlet to express himself. He has scored two independent films and is making strides to bring the love of country music to his hometown.
Camille Parker
From Durham, North Carolina attributes her passion for music to her grandfather, who introduced her to country music. She started by doing session recordings for pop and R&B but has now fully dedicated herself to country music. She aspires to be a role model for young Black girls aspiring to achieve their dreams, especially in the country music industry.
Justin Serrao
From Johannesburg, South Africa originally played punk and alternative rock but later developed an interest in country music after hearing it on the radio and through his father’s influence. Despite the challenge of turning South Africans into country music enthusiasts, he remains steadfast in following his passion and merging rock with country influences.
Mickey Guyton’s Artists:
Ashlie Amber
From Nashville, Tennessee worked as a cruise line performer after years of singing before finding her way back to music after her father’s tragic passing.
Chuck Adams
Also from Nashville, Tennessee found success as a writer in rap music before being dropped in 2011. He took this as a sign to pursue his true passion for classic country music.
The Betsies
Zel and Landi Degenaar, from Cape Town, South Africa, grew up singing in their church choir and listening to their parent’s record collections. They started performing together after moving to Cape Town and are passionate about embodying American culture and the music they love.
Wandile
From Johannesburg, South Africa picked up a guitar in 2010 and focuses on analog storytelling to reshape painful memories into positive ones.
Orville Peck’s Artists:
Alisha Pais
From Goa, India has been singing her whole life and began performing at 16 years old. She writes and performs music with unfiltered honesty, hoping to bring joy to her listeners’ lives and help them connect with their true selves.
The Congo Cowboys – Julie Sigauque, Simon Attwell, and Chris Bakalanga
From Cape Town, South Africa, blend African music with country music, using the banjo to return the instrument to its roots. They perform in English and Lingala, the official language of the Democratic Republic of Congo, aiming to get people dancing to their music.
Ismay Hellman
From Petaluma, California is a non-binary singer-songwriter who struggled to fit into typical country music. However, they use nature as inspiration and bring a unique perspective to classic bluegrass sounds.
Micaela Kleinsmith
also from Cape Town, South Africa began writing songs at 14 years old and eventually competed on South Africa’s Idols in 2016. Making friends through music after overcoming bullying.
My Kind Of Country Trailer
Wrap Up!
In conclusion, My Kind of Country show is a highly anticipated competition that promises to showcase the talents of unknown artists while also promoting inclusivity. With an impressive lineup of celebrity talent scouts and a diverse group of competing aspirants, the series looks set to be a success. Fans of country music and talent competitions alike will indeed be tuning in to see who comes out on top in this exciting new show.
