The Country Music Association gives out an award each year to a new artist who has, for the first time, shown the most significant creative growth and development in overall chart and sales activity, live performance professionalism and critical media recognition. The list below shows the last ten winners from 1992 - 2001.

1. Aces - Suzy Bogguss (1992)

Suzy had help from Vince Gill, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Mark O'Connor on this strong outing which includes the wonderful title track, "Letting Go," "Someday Soon," and "Outbound Plane."More »
Read Review

2. Mark Chesnutt - Mark Chesnutt (1993)

This is Mark's first album on Columbia Records, and is reminiscent of his previous releases in that the music is no-doubt-about-it traditional to the core. The album features the first single, "She Was," as well as other sure singles like "Don't Know Why I Do," "I Want My Baby Back," and the fun "My Dreams."More »
Read Review

3. John Michael Montgomery - Love Songs (1994)

Montgomery has scored 11 #1 singles and sold more than 15 million albums, and it's with songs like those on this album that he did. A perfect album for Valentine's day, and any day you want to be special with someone you care about.More »
Read Review

4. Forget About It - Alison Krauss (1995)

The album is not overly bluegrassy, with the exception of "Never Got Off The Ground," which does have a distinct bluegrass feel. Alison has her Union Station bandmates playing and vocalizing on the album with her. The song has a more pop or even jazz feel to it. Very soothing and one that would appeal to someone who's big into ballads.More »
Read Review

5. Bryan White - Bryan White (1996)

Bryan was off to a fast start with "Rebecca Lynn," which talks about a first love, "Someone Else's Star," which has a wistful quality to it, and is also Bryan's first No. 1 song, and the fast paced "Look At Me Now." This album is also his most country.More »
Read Review

6. I Need You - LeAnn Rimes (1997)

This album is re-released with some additional mixes of some of the songs. There are re-mixes of "Can't Fight the Moonlight," "But I Do Love You," "Soon," and "I Need You." Besides these remixes there is the duet with Elton John, titled "Written In The Stars."More »
Read Review

7. Fly - Dixie Chicks (1998)

Despite the daunting task of recording their sophomore album and hoping they would at least match the success of Wide Open Spaces, the gals really knocked one out of the ballpark with "Fly." The album has sold 10 million so far.More »
Read Review

8. Burn - Jo Dee Messina (1999)

Whether you're in a party mood... or you want to feel good about yourself, Jo Dee's CD is the one you want to put on the CD player and listen to.More »
Read Review

9. Who Needs Pictures - Brad Paisley (2000)

This debut album from Brad Paisley contains 13 songs, 12 of which Brad wrote or co-wrote. And of those 12, he released four singles, and two of them became No. 1 songs for him. Not a bad ratio for a new artist. Add to that the fact that he can actually play an instrument well, and that makes for a triple threat.More »
Read Review

10. keith urban - keith urban (2001)

Formerly the lead singer for the group, The Ranch, keith goes solo here with songs such as "Where The Blacktop Ends," "It's a Love Thing," and his No. 1 song, "But For The Grace of God."More »
Read Review