By Walker Polivka, Contributing Writer

As the General Manager of WGLZ, I receive tons of music from unsigned artists who are trying to make it big in the industry. They send me music to listen to and if I like it, I add it to our station’s music library to be included over the air. Here are five artists that I have come across that you need to check out today.

1. Alyssa Trahan

Alyssa is a young up and coming country artist who currently resides in Nashville, Tenn., the home of country music. She is very prolific in the early part of her career, having written over 70 songs and playing over a dozen different instruments. Her music has been aired on numerous radio stations across the country, including SiriusXM The Highway and our very own WGLZ. I am a big fan of Trahan’s and have to say that this is one of those artists that can do it all, and you really don’t come across too often. The tracks of hers that I recommend are I Know and Daisies, which happens to be the first songs I heard of hers and truly made me into a fan

2. Kylie Odetta

Kylie is an Indie artist who resides in the Greenville, S.C. area. She has a set of pipes on her that are accentuated by her use of the piano as an integral part of her performance. She is also very prolific, having written over 200 songs in her early career. Her music is very fiery, but also mellow at the same time, something you don’t come across too often. Odetta tours around the Southern United States and has had the opportunity to open up for artists such as Gavin DeGraw and Kellie Pickler. She loves being able to connect with everyday people, who give her the inspiration to write music

3. Matthew Alexander

Alexander is a veteran of the music scene who currently resides in Charlotte, N.C. One of the great performers in the folk genre, he has been performing for over 50 years, having gotten his start in the folk scene in the late 1960’s. He first learned to play the guitar when he was 8-years-old, and started to write music at 15, providing the early bridge work of a long and illustrious career. His playing style was heavily influenced by the acoustic legends of the past, like Gordon Lightfoot and Paul Simon. He has performed as a solo artist as well as part of the band Moonshine.

Alexander has been heard at the highest levels, having music released by Warner Brothers Music, as well as being the opening act for both Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. He tours the country regularly, playing his style of music for his many fans. His music airs on radio stations around the world, including Pandora, as well as being featured on PBS television. Having released six albums, he has a lot of great songs to choose from. I highly recommend the tracks Dog Eat Dog World, Three Minute Movie, and American Boy.

4. Mack Meadows

Meadows is an accomplished musician and teacher based in the Upper Keys of Florida. Over the years, he has managed music stores, played music as a soloist, performed as a chamber musician, and also taught guitar. He has played guitar for some of the reagent stage shows of a generation, including Evita and Man of La Mancha. He also has done work as a studio musician in Memphis, Tenn. and Nashville, Tenn. He thrives in the genre of contemporary music, as well as blues, rock, jazz and rockabilly. He plays the majority of his shows in Florida.

When you listen to his music, it can evoke the sense of Jimmy Buffett. Meadows’ songs are light, bouncy and tons of fun. It brings to my mind the Margaritaville style of music. Among his many songs, I recommend the songs Unopened Letter and Too Many Hands on my Time.

5. Boomerhood

Boomerhood is an intriguing contemporary band based out of Texas. Consisting of Dan Reece, Reagan Dene, and Billy Paramount, Boomerhood began touring around the U.S. and is beginning to work on their second album. Their musical style has heavy influences of legendary artists, including Paul McCartney, Charlie Watts and Steely Dan. To my ear, the band has been able to combine country with pop and a little bit of a southern jazz feel. Reece’s vocals really grab you and draw you into the song while the accompaniment of Dene and Paramount make the group really stand out. I recommend the tracks Music Businessman and Don’t Listen.

These are five artists that you need to listen to today. Rest assured, if you are unable to locate some of their tracks, you can always listen to these groups on our campus radio station, 91.5 WGLZ. You can listen the traditional way, email the station for some of these musician’s songs at [email protected], or through the link on our website.

Photo credit: Walker Polivka