Jessie Ritter Bests More Than 800 Artists to Win 2018 “Nash Next” Competition

After a four-month-long competition that featured more than 800 artists from around the country, Jessie Ritter has been named the 2018 Nash Next champion.

(from left) Ty Bentli, Kelly Ford, Chuck Wicks, Jessie Ritter, Elaina Smith and Shawn Parr

Jessie, a Fort Walton Beach, Fla., native, bested nine other finalists during the Nash Next finale at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Oct. 11. As winner of the fourth annual competition, Jessie will receive a recording contract with Nash Next Records under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella and substantial radio exposure on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.

“I’m very excited and blessed for this opportunity,” said Jessie. “God has given me patience and strength throughout this entire process and I’m humbled to be crowned the Nash Next winner. This is where I’m meant to be, and I can’t wait for the adventure that lies ahead.”

Blogs

The Five Coolest Things We Saw at Kids Fair

The Five Coolest Things We Saw at Kids Fair

Kids Fair 2025 was fantastic! We loved seeing you at Expo Idaho, but if you missed it, here are some of the coolest things we saw: 1. Your Amazing Post-It Artwork One of the most unique and interactive displays at Kids Fair was the massive Post-It note mosaic. We loved seeing the creativity of all…

Why February in Idaho Isn’t All That Bad

Why February in Idaho Isn’t All That Bad

February in Idaho gets a bad rap. People complain about the cold weather, the snow, and the short days. But there’s actually a lot to love about February in Idaho. For starters, there’s the snow. Yes, it’s cold, but that just means there’s more snow to play in. And what could be better than a…

Why Country Concerts in Idaho Are So Great

Why Country Concerts in Idaho Are So Great

If you’re a fan of country music, then you know that there’s no better place to see a show than in Idaho. Here are just a few of the reasons why: The Ford Idaho Center in Nampa on a summer evening is absolutely perfect. There’s nothing quite like spending a warm summer evening under the…